by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you would like to work with others to ensure health and wellness, consider majoring in Health Sciences and Services.
A degree in Health Sciences and Services will prepare you to pursue an advanced degree in the medical profession or give you the skills and training to work in health services. You will take classes in chemistry, biology, health care systems, psychology, public health, anatomy and physiology, and health services administration to introduce you to the Health Sciences field and help you decide the career you would like to pursue after graduation.
Students have the choice to major in general Health Sciences and Services, or specialize in an area such as Health and Wellness, or Chiropractic.
A degree in Health Sciences & Services involves the study of Health Services/allied Health/health Sciences, General. Continue reading for the important information every health sciences & services student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering health sciences & services programs.
In the U.S., health sciences & services is a widely-pursued major, with 38,201 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Health Sciences & Services Schools ranking analyzes these 787 schools to determine the best overall colleges for health sciences & services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of health sciences & services programs later in this article.
Programs in Health Sciences & Services build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations health sciences & services graduates commonly enter.
Health Sciences and Services are rooted in science, making a background in subjects such as biology and chemistry helpful. Students who are successful in this career often have strong analytical skills and are detail oriented so they can listen to patients and analyze symptoms to help with recovery. Since you will be working closely with others, strong interpersonal and empathy skills are also required.
A degree in Health Sciences and Services usually leads to a fulltime career in the medical field. Students with a bachelor's or master's degree and technical training will be able to work in care administration or other public health services, while those who pursue a doctorate work as a variety of doctors and care givers. Health Sciences and Services professionals typically work normal work hours, however they may be on call at nights and on weekends.
Students interested in the Health Sciences and Services field should pursue an internship, summer job, or summer field camp position to learn more about the field. You will be able to work closely with public health professionals and learn what types of careers are available to you.
Along with additional schooling, some health care providers must be licensed by the state. It is suggested that you check with the state you want to work in to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements to practice medicine.
Skills built by a health sciences & services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a health sciences & services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several health sciences & services 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 | 1,436 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11,540 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 19,956 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,878 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 351 |
People currently working in careers related to health sciences & services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 37.7% |
| Master’s degree | 10.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.6% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in health sciences & services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in Health Sciences and Services follow many different paths, while some continue to medical school to become chiropractors, trainers, or other doctors, others students pursue careers as paramedics or work as health administrators or in information technology. With the majority of the population aging, there is a solid demand for medicine professionals. Well-trained health service professionals will always be in demand.
A degree in health sciences & services opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to health sciences & services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to health sciences & services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Workers | 300,538 | 13.4% |
| Health Education Specialists | 169,157 | 3.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of health sciences & services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,203 |
| 4 years | $49,234 |
| 5 years | $57,884 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for health sciences & services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers health sciences & services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Education Specialists | $81,726 |
| Community Health Workers | $73,901 |
With 787 different health sciences & services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased health sciences & services school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in health sciences & services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 32,590 |
| Health and Wellness, General | 5,611 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
