Best institutions to study Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Ayurveda, a holistic health care system based on the use of dietary, lifestyle, spiritual, pharmacological and physical therapies to remove imbalances and restore health as defined in Vedic and other classical Sanskrit authorities in the Indian tradition.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 142 Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3305, a specialization of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33), and leads most directly to the Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-1299).
About Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda programs
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Ayurveda, a holistic health care system based on the use of dietary, lifestyle, spiritual, pharmacological and physical therapies to remove imbalances and restore health as defined in Vedic and other classical Sanskrit authorities in the Indian tradition. Includes instruction in Sanskrit; history, philosophy, and principles of Ayurveda; Ayurvedic pharmacology; anatomy and physiology; internal medicine; herbology; diagnostic techniques; patient examination and communication; therapeutic modalities; detoxification theory and practice; mind and body behavior modification; Yoga; clinical pediatrics and gynecology; diet therapies; treatment of specific diseases; and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda program prepares individuals for the independent practice of Ayurveda, a holistic health care system rooted in ancient Indian traditions. This program is ideal for those interested in alternative and complementary medicine, focusing on restoring health through dietary, lifestyle, spiritual, and pharmacological therapies.
Students will gain knowledge in various areas including the history and philosophy of Ayurveda, Ayurvedic pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic modalities. Coursework often includes practical training in detoxification, diet therapies, and mind-body behavior modification.
Credentials awarded
What Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree95 graduates / yr · 1 institution67%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year28 graduates / yr · 1 institution20%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2019 | 98 |
| 2020 | 133 |
| 2021 | 138 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 150 |
| 2024 | 141 |
| 2025 | 142 |
Top 4 institutions for Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharishi International University Fairfield, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 95 | 50% | $19,927 | — |
| 2 | Southern California University of Health Sciences Whittier, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 50% | $45,633 | $27,755 |
| 3 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Milwaukee, WIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 90% | $15,441 | $18,235 |
| 4 | Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 50% | $24,333 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems field (CIP 51.33) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda graduates come from. Each state links to all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 95 | Maharishi International University95 / yr |
| California | 1 | 40 | Southern California University of Health Sciences40 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness6 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Notre Dame of Maryland University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1299, Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda program can pursue careers as healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2% and approximately 2,400 annual openings. Most positions require a master's degree, with a median wage of $113,730.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3305
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Otherprimary SOC 29-1299 | $115,210 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,400 | Master's degree |
Related careers
Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33).
- Acupuncture and Oriental MedicineCIP 51.33011,453 graduates / yr45 institutions
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical SystemsCIP 51.3300partial data422 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Holistic/CIP 51.3306
Integrative Health 399 graduates / yr20 institutions - Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical SystemsCIP 51.3399partial data242 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Naturopathic Medicine/CIP 51.3303
Naturopathy partial data201 graduates / yr7 institutions - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese HerbologyCIP 51.3302119 graduates / yr13 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Homeopathic Medicine/
Homeopathy51.3304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs →
Common questions
What is Ayurveda?+
Ayurveda is a holistic health care system that aims to restore health through dietary, lifestyle, and pharmacological therapies.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
Students can earn a master's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, or shorter awards depending on their study duration.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn about Ayurvedic pharmacology, diagnostic techniques, therapeutic modalities, and patient communication.
What career opportunities are available?+
Graduates can work as healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, with a median wage of $113,730.
What is the CIP code for Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda?+
Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda is CIP 51.3305 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Ayurveda, a holistic health care system based on the use of dietary, lifestyle, spiritual, pharmacological and physical therapies to remove imbalances and restore health as defined in Vedic and other classical Sanskrit authorities in the Indian tradition. Includes instruction in Sanskrit; history, philosophy, and principles of Ayurveda; Ayurvedic pharmacology; anatomy and physiology; internal medicine; herbology; diagnostic techniques; patient examination and communication; therapeutic modalities; detoxification theory and practice; mind and body behavior modification; Yoga; clinical pediatrics and gynecology; diet therapies; treatment of specific diseases; and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 142 credentials in the year. That is 4.8% of all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates.
How much do Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other occupation, which Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda most directly leads to, pays a median of $115,210 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems field report median earnings of $27,755 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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