by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 7 U.S. colleges awarded 422 degrees and certificates in General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,215 one year after completing, rising to $38,117 after four years.
Studying General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems covers Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Theories, Science, And Practice Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems. Includes Instruction In Understanding Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, And Other Alternative And Complementary Medicine Modalities; Mind-Body Therapies; Nutrition; Comparison Of Conventional And Alternative Medicine; And Medical Ethics; And May Include Training In Specific Alternative And Complementary Medicine Modalities.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems is a widely-pursued major, with 422 degrees awarded annually. 7 colleges award general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degrees, an average of 60 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 242.
By level, the 422 awards include 74 certificates, 59 associate degrees, 178 bachelor’s degrees and 111 master’s degrees.
Women earned 88% of general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degrees and certificates in the latest year (372 of 422). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (188) and Black or African American (101), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems schools within 2 states. In all, 7 colleges offer general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems credential is the bachelor’s degree: 178 of the 422 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems call most for Critical Thinking, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 74 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 59 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 178 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 111 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, at 45.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 45.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 41.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.8% |
| First professional degree | 3.8% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, with an average median salary of $137,569; the strongest outlook belongs to Naturopathic Physicians, at 6.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Naturopath, Naturopathic Doctor, Medical Resident and Herbologist.
The occupation related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems with the most projected jobs is Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other, at 3,105,142.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | 3,105,142 | 1.0% |
| Orthoptists | 2,932,094 | 4.8% |
| Naturopathic Physicians | 2,656,215 | 6.6% |
General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earn a median $31,215 one year after completing their program, $38,117 after four years and $36,319 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,215 |
| 4 years | $38,117 |
| 5 years | $36,319 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, with a median salary of $138,809.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $138,809 |
| Naturopathic Physicians | $138,086 |
| Orthoptists | $135,811 |
General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems has 6 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 2,560 degrees a year; the largest are Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (1,453), Holistic/Integrative Health (403) and Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other (242). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | 1,453 |
| Holistic/Integrative Health | 403 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other | 242 |
| Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy | 201 |
| Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda | 142 |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology | 119 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
