by our College Data Analytics TeamIf 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. Read on to learn the key facts every health/medical prep programs student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering health/medical prep programs programs.
Nationwide, health/medical prep programs draws strong interest, with 8,993 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools ranking analyzes these 311 schools to determine the best overall colleges for health/medical prep programs students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of health/medical prep programs programs later in this article.
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.
There are several health/medical prep programs 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 | 450 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,259 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,669 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,395 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
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.
Federal data tracks median earnings of health/medical prep programs graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,983 |
| 4 years | $51,835 |
| 5 years | $63,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
With 311 different health/medical prep programs programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased health/medical prep programs school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in health/medical prep programs, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 3,744 |
| Pre-Nursing Studies | 2,731 |
| Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies | 1,739 |
| Pre-Physical Therapy Studies | 256 |
| Pre-Pharmacy Studies | 207 |
| Pre-Physician Assistant | 127 |
| Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies | 113 |
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 53 |
| Pre-Art Therapy | 16 |
| Pre-Optometry Studies | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
