by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 6 U.S. colleges awarded 242 degrees and certificates in Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems. Certificates are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Other 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.
A major in Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems covers Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems, Other. Any Instructional Program In Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems is a widely-pursued major, with 242 degrees awarded annually. 6 colleges award other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degrees, an average of 40 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 150.
By level, the 242 awards include 146 certificates, 5 associate degrees, 17 bachelor’s degrees and 74 master’s degrees.
Women earned 64% of other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degrees and certificates in the latest year (155 of 242). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (100) and Black or African American (53), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems schools within 2 states. In all, 6 colleges offer other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems credential is the certificate: 146 of the 242 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other 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, Inductive Reasoning and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 146 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 17 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 74 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other 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% |
| First professional degree | 3.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Other 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, Herbalist and Oculist.
The occupation related to other 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% |
Other 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 other 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 |
Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems has 6 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 2,740 degrees a year; the largest are Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (1,453), Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (422) and Holistic/Integrative Health (403). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | 1,453 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | 422 |
| Holistic/Integrative Health | 403 |
| Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy | 201 |
| Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda | 142 |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology | 119 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
