Best colleges for Chiropractic
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 18 U.S. colleges offering Chiropractic by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 15 states.
About Chiropractic programs
The Chiropractic program focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. This field is recognized as a form of alternative medicine and emphasizes manual therapy, alongside exercises and health counseling. It is ideal for those interested in holistic health approaches and helping individuals manage pain and improve their overall well-being.
Students in the Chiropractic program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in medicine, biology, and psychology, equipping students with the knowledge needed to evaluate and treat neuromusculoskeletal issues.
Top 18 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
Specializations within Chiropractic
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 15 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1011, Chiropractors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chiropractic program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 2,800 annual job openings. The median wage for chiropractors is around $79,000, and a doctoral or professional degree is typically required for entry into the field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Chiropractic
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.01 (Chiropractic) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1011 | Chiropractorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Chiropractic programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
- Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
- Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
- Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
- Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
- Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
Common questions
What is chiropractic care?+
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, primarily through manual therapy.
What skills are important for chiropractors?+
Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and knowledge of medicine and biology.
What is the job outlook for chiropractors?+
The job outlook for chiropractors is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.5%.
What level of education is required?+
A doctoral or professional degree is typically required to practice as a chiropractor.
What is the CIP code for Chiropractic?+
Chiropractic maps to CIP 51.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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