by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 307 U.S. colleges awarded 9,155 degrees and certificates in Health/Medical Prep Programs. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 154 schools in its 2027 Best Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,046 one year after completing, rising to $60,109 after four years.
If you know you would like to be in the medical profession, consider participation in a Health/Medical Prep Program.
This program includes prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math in order to learn about the medical field and prepare students for the MCATs and medical school. Although participation in these programs does not guarantee you a medical school position, you will have the necessary skills and knowledge to lead you towards a career in a specific medical field.
Students may choose programs in everything from medicine or dentistry, to veterinary studies, nursing, pharmacy and more.
Studying Health/Medical Prep Programs covers Health/medical Preparatory Programs.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, health/medical prep programs draws strong interest, with 9,155 degrees awarded annually. 307 colleges award health/medical prep programs degrees, an average of 30 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,153.
By level, the 9,155 awards include 434 certificates, 3,251 associate degrees, 3,586 bachelor’s degrees, 1,695 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of health/medical prep programs degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,247 of 9,155). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,296) and Black or African American (1,911), and international students earned 232.
College Factual ranks 154 schools in its 2027 Best Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools ranking, including 39 for associate degrees, 75 for bachelor’s degrees and 9 for master’s degrees. It also ranks health/medical prep programs schools within 39 states. In all, 307 colleges offer health/medical prep programs programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common health/medical prep programs credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,586 of the 9,155 awarded in the latest year.
Health/Medical Prep Programs are based in science, making a strong background in biology and chemistry necessary. You will take classes in multiple subdivisions of these areas and must use your critical and analytical skills to preform experiments, analyze data, and study complex concepts. Students in this field are heading towards a career in the medical profession, making strong interpersonal and communication skills necessary as you will eventually be working closely with patients and other medical professionals.
Participation in a Health/Medical Prep Program is the first step in becoming a doctor or another medical professional. Medical careers are fulltime positions that may require long hours. You may be on call or have to work night and weekends when performing procedures or dealing with emergencies. Professionals often work in hospitals, doctors' offices, health clinics, and other medical centers.
If you are interested in a medical profession, it is recommended that you pursue an internship, summer job, or participation in a summer field program to gain experience and learn more about the field. You will be able to work closely with doctors and get hands-on experience.
How long a health/medical prep programs degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 434 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,251 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,586 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,695 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Students who pursue a degree from a Health/Medical Prep Program go onto other schools to earn an advanced degree and pursue careers as nurses, doctors, vets, physical therapists, chiropractors, optometrists, and other types of medical professionals. You will have an introduction to your field of study, but you will not be able to practice until you attend a graduate program. Students who earn their advanced degree should be able to find jobs after graduation.
Health/Medical Prep Programs graduates earn a median $37,046 one year after completing their program, $60,109 after four years and $62,183 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,046 |
| 4 years | $60,109 |
| 5 years | $62,183 |
Source: College Scorecard.
Health/Medical Prep Programs includes 11 concentrations that together award 9,155 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (3,693), Pre-Nursing Studies (2,938) and Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies (1,707). It has 30 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,028,305 degrees a year; the largest are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (318,053), Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (110,132) and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (98,474). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 3,693 |
| Pre-Nursing Studies | 2,938 |
| Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies | 1,707 |
| Pre-Physical Therapy Studies | 260 |
| Pre-Pharmacy Studies | 225 |
| Pre-Physician Assistant | 135 |
| Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies | 107 |
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 68 |
| Pre-Art Therapy | 18 |
| Pre-Chiropractic Studies | 2 |
| Pre-Optometry Studies | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
