by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology covers Traditional Chinese Medicine And Chinese Herbology. A Program That Prepares Individuals For The Independent Professional Practice Of Chinese Herbal Medicine, A System Based On The Use Of Nutrition, Natural Products, And Prescribed Medical Formulae To Treat Imbalances In The State Of Bodily Health As Defined In The Nei Ching Su Wen And Other Authorities. Includes Instruction In The Basic Western Medical Sciences, History And Theory Of Chinese Medicine, Chinese Medical Anatomy And Physiology, Chinese Herbology, Herbal Prescription Preparation, Herbal Patent Medicine, Herbal Pharmacology, Chinese Internal Medicine And Gynecology, Febrile Diseases, Food Therapy, Practice Management, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Continue reading for the important information every traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology programs.
Nationwide, traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology is a popular field of study, with 165 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology Schools ranking analyzes these 16 schools to determine the best overall colleges for traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology 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 | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 105 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 32.8% |
| Master’s degree | 28.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Midwives | 3,466,294 | 7.7% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | 2,119,723 | 14.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $117,846 |
| Midwives | $109,643 |
With 16 different traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in traditional chinese medicine and chinese herbology, 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 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | 405 |
| Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy | 235 |
| Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda | 141 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other | 107 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
