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$7,508Tuition
19Students
68%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$26,209Earnings
#19 in IllinoisPrivate forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Pacific College of Health and Science

Pacific College of Health and Science trains the next generation of acupuncturists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. This specialized health science college enrolls just 19 students in Chicago's bustling urban environment. The school focuses exclusively on alternative medicine programs, particularly acupuncture and Oriental medicine. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive intensive, hands-on training in these ancient healing arts.

The financial picture tells a complex story for aspiring alternative medicine practitioners. Students pay $7,508 in annual tuition regardless of residency status. With 58% of students receiving financial aid and the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants, many students graduate with relatively modest debt loads of $12,271. However, graduates face challenging economics with median earnings of just $26,209 ten years after graduation. Monthly loan payments average $130, but only 37% of borrowers successfully repay their loans. The employment rate of 86% suggests graduates find work, but the low earnings reflect the realities of building a practice in alternative medicine.

Women dominate the student body at 84%, reflecting broader trends in alternative healthcare fields. The school operates on a trimester system, allowing for accelerated completion of programs. Students come primarily from Illinois, with 82% of enrolled students living in-state before attending.

Academics & Faculty

Pacific College of Health and Science specializes in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture programs, drawing students who want to practice alternative healthcare. The college maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio with just 19 total students, creating an intimate learning environment where professors know every student personally. About 66% of students graduate within four years, which is solid for a specialized health program requiring extensive clinical training. The trimester calendar system allows students to complete coursework faster than traditional semester schedules. Women make up 84% of enrollment, reflecting the demographics typically drawn to well-rounded health careers. Students gain hands-on experience in acupuncture techniques and Chinese herbal medicine through intensive practical training.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Graduation Rate (4-year)
65.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
67.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$26,209
Carnegie Classification
Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems. Master $23,649
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. Associate $21,052

View all 5 programs →

Campus Life

Pacific College operates from downtown Chicago with just 19 students, creating an intimate learning environment where everyone knows each other. Women make up 84% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on well-rounded health practices. The small cohort means you'll work closely with classmates in acupuncture labs and traditional Chinese medicine seminars.

Chicago winters require heavy coats and boots, with temperatures often dropping below freezing from December through February. The trimester system keeps you busy year-round with intensive coursework. Most students commute since the college doesn't offer dormitories. Weekend activities center around Chicago's wellness community, with students often attending conferences or volunteering at well-rounded health fairs. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention during hands-on training. With 82% of students coming from Illinois, many have local connections and gather for study groups at nearby coffee shops. The specialized curriculum demands focus, but the city's diverse neighborhoods offer plenty of exploration when you need a break from anatomy and meridian studies.
Setting
City-Large
Calendar System
Trimester

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 1
Robbery 0 0 0 1

Climate & Weather

January Avg
20°–31°F
July Avg
67°–81°F
Annual Precipitation
44.3"
Annual Snowfall
38.8"

Student Demographics

Pacific College of Health and Science draws a predominantly female student body, with women making up over 80% of enrollment. This gender composition reflects the school's focus on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, fields that historically attract more women. The vast majority of students come from Illinois, suggesting strong ties to Chicago's alternative health community. Nearly 60% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves working-class students seeking career changes or specialized training. The diverse racial makeup, with significant Black and Asian representation, mirrors Chicago's multicultural population and the global traditions underlying Chinese medicine practices.
Men
15.8%
Women
84.2%
White
0.0%
Black
10.5%
Hispanic
0.0%
Asian
5.3%
In-State Students
81.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
58.3%

Location

Pacific College of Health and Science sits in Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States with over 2.7 million residents. The school operates in America's heartland, where students experience big-city opportunities alongside Midwestern values. Chicago's extensive public transit system connects the college to strong museums, hospitals, and healthcare networks throughout the metropolitan area. The city hosts over 180 colleges and universities, creating a active academic environment. Students gain access to diverse clinical training sites across Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. The school draws 82% of its students from within Illinois. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Pacific College of Health and Science with similar schools in the region.
Address
Chicago, Illinois 60601

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$26,209
Median Earnings (5 years)
$21,046
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$30,300
Loan Repayment Rate
36.7%
Monthly Loan Payment
$130/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,271

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body size at Pacific College of Health and Science?

The college enrolls just 19 students, making it one of the smallest specialized health institutions in the country. This tiny enrollment creates an intimate learning environment focused on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture training. Women make up 84% of the student body, reflecting the demographics typically drawn to alternative healthcare fields.

How much does Pacific College of Health and Science cost for tuition?

Tuition costs $7,508 per year for both in-state and out-of-state students. About 58% of students receive financial aid, with those getting institutional grants averaging $2,719 in assistance. Graduates typically leave with a median debt of $12,271, which is relatively low for a specialized healthcare program.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Pacific College of Health and Science?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 12:1, ensuring personalized attention in specialized coursework. The college operates on a trimester system, allowing for intensive study of traditional Chinese medicine techniques. This small-scale environment supports hands-on training in acupuncture and other alternative healthcare practices.

What are the employment outcomes for Pacific College of Health and Science graduates?

About 86% of graduates find employment after completing their programs. Median earnings reach $26,209 ten years after graduation, which reflects the specialized but often modest-paying nature of alternative healthcare careers. The loan repayment rate of 37% suggests some graduates struggle with debt relative to their earnings potential.

Where do most Pacific College of Health and Science students come from?

About 82% of students are Illinois residents who stay local for their specialized healthcare training. The student body shows notable diversity, with no white students reported, 11% Black students, and 5% Asian students. This demographic composition is unusual among healthcare programs and reflects the college's urban Chicago location.

Does Pacific College of Health and Science have good graduation rates?

The college maintains a 66% four-year graduation rate and 68% six-year graduation rate. These rates are respectable for a specialized healthcare program requiring intensive clinical training. The trimester calendar system allows students to progress more quickly through their traditional Chinese medicine coursework than typical semester-based programs.