by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying 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. Read on to learn the key facts every general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems programs.
In the U.S., general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems is a widely-pursued major, with 405 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 70 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 59 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 128 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 148 |
People currently working in careers related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,185 |
| 4 years | $30,904 |
| 5 years | $35,897 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $138,809 |
| Naturopathic Physicians | $138,086 |
| Orthoptists | $135,811 |
With 8 different general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | 1,485 |
| Holistic/Integrative Health | 481 |
| Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy | 235 |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology | 165 |
| Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda | 141 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other | 107 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
