Cheapest Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Colleges

The alternative medicine field offers surprisingly accessible education pathways, with net costs ranging from just $12,791 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $34,656 at specialized institutions. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with four of the five cheapest programs charging under $21,000 annually. The industry has grown substantially as healthcare systems increasingly integrate complementary therapies, creating demand for graduates trained in acupuncture, massage therapy, and broad health approaches. Graduation rates vary dramatically across programs, from 8.8% at some online-focused schools to 79.3% at specialized colleges, reflecting different program structures and student populations.

Programs

$12,791 – $34,656

Net Price Range

$27,711

Avg. Program Earnings

45.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, Nebraska	$12,791	$8,370	47.5%	85.9%
2	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
3	Maharishi International University Fairfield, Iowa	$18,225	$16,530	17.6%	94.3%
4	Vermont State University Randolph, Vermont	$20,865	$11,400	48.9%	49.8%
5	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
6	American College of Healthcare Sciences Portland, Oregon	$24,016	$12,656		91.7%
7	Ashford University San Diego, California	$25,321	$13,160	8.8%
8	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111	$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
9	Everglades University Boca Raton, Florida	$27,704	$20,768	57.8%	70.4%
10	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$34,439	$24,136	44.2%	96.5%
11	Acupuncture and Massage College Miami, Florida	$34,656	$11,980	79.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes some alternative medicine programs cost significantly less than others?

Public institutions like University of Nebraska at Omaha charge just $12,791 net cost compared to private schools that can exceed $34,000. State funding allows public universities to offer lower tuition rates, particularly for in-state residents who pay around $8,370-$11,400 annually at the most affordable options.

How do graduation rates compare across different types of alternative medicine schools?

Graduation rates span from 8.8% at Ashford University to 79.3% at Acupuncture and Massage College, showing dramatic variation by program type. Traditional campus-based programs typically achieve higher completion rates than online-focused institutions, though specialized trade schools often report strong outcomes.

Where do graduates typically earn the highest salaries in this field?

Early career earnings range from $23,803 to $30,371 based on available data. Ashford University graduates report the highest earnings at $30,371, while Everglades University graduates start at $23,803, reflecting regional job markets and specialization areas.

Does attending a private school guarantee better outcomes in alternative medicine?

Private schools charge significantly more but show mixed results, with some achieving 63% graduation rates while others drop to just 17.6%. Public institutions often provide comparable or better value, combining affordable costs with solid completion rates around 48% at programs like Vermont State University.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.