Best colleges for Chiropractic
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of chiropractic, a health care and healing system based on the application of non-invasive treatments and spinal adjustments to alleviate health problems caused by vertebral misalignments affecting bodily function as derived from the philosophy of Daniel Palmer.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 3,022 Chiropractic students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0101, a specialization of Chiropractic (CIP 51.01), and leads most directly to the Chiropractors occupation (BLS SOC 29-1011).
About Chiropractic programs
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of chiropractic, a health care and healing system based on the application of non-invasive treatments and spinal adjustments to alleviate health problems caused by vertebral misalignments affecting bodily function as derived from the philosophy of Daniel Palmer. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, chiropractic theory and science, postural and spinal analysis, diagnostic radiology and ultrasound, adjustment technique, patient counseling, professional standards and ethics, and practice management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Chiropractic program prepares individuals for the independent practice of chiropractic, focusing on non-invasive treatments and spinal adjustments. Rooted in the philosophy of Daniel Palmer, this program is ideal for those interested in health professions and seeking to alleviate health issues related to vertebral misalignments.
Students will gain knowledge in medical sciences, chiropractic theory, diagnostic radiology, adjustment techniques, and patient counseling. Core skills developed include active listening, critical thinking, and an understanding of human biology and psychology.
Credentials awarded
What Chiropractic graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3,022 graduates / yr · 18 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Chiropractic completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,496 |
| 2013 | 2,219 |
| 2014 | 2,420 |
| 2015 | 2,544 |
| 2016 | 2,417 |
| 2017 | 2,521 |
| 2018 | 2,503 |
| 2019 | 2,608 |
| 2020 | 2,596 |
| 2021 | 2,658 |
| 2022 | 2,881 |
| 2023 | 2,698 |
| 2024 | 2,707 |
| 2025 | 3,022 |
Top 18 institutions for Chiropractic, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport, IAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 626 | — | — |
| 2 | Life University Marietta, GAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 417 | 38% | $30,667 |
| 3 | Parker University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 413 | 74% | $27,144 |
| 4 | Logan University Chesterfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 290 | 22% | $17,906 |
| 5 | Southern California University of Health Sciences Whittier, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 213 | 50% | $45,633 |
| 6 | Life Chiropractic College West Hayward, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 152 | — | — |
| 7 | Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 149 | 0% | $29,794 |
| 8 | University of Western States Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 128 | — | — |
| 9 | Northeast College of Health Sciences Seneca Falls, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 120 | — | — |
| 10 | Cleveland University - Kansas City Overland Park, KSPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 118 | 100% | $33,244 |
| 11 | Sherman College of Chiropractic Boiling Springs, SCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 110 | — | — |
| 12 | National University of Health Sciences Lombard, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 75 | — | — |
| 13 | Texas Chiropractic College Foundation Inc Pasadena, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 71 | — | — |
| 14 | University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 41 | 41% | $25,149 |
| 15 | D'Youville University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 40 | 67% | $18,846 |
| 16 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 27 | 61% | $35,483 |
| 17 | Universidad Central Del Caribe Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 23 | 40% | $8,011 |
| 18 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 42% | $18,824 |
Offered in 15 states & territories
Where Chiropractic graduates come from. Each state links to all Chiropractic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 626 | Palmer College of Chiropractic626 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 484 | Parker University413 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 417 | Life University417 / yr |
| California | 2 | 365 | Southern California University of Health Sciences213 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 290 | Logan University290 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 160 | Northeast College of Health Sciences120 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 149 | Northwestern Health Sciences University149 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 128 | University of Western States128 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 118 | Cleveland University - Kansas City118 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 110 | Sherman College of Chiropractic110 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 75 | National University of Health Sciences75 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 41 | University of Bridgeport41 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 27 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale27 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 23 | Universidad Central Del Caribe23 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 9 | Campbellsville University9 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1011, Chiropractors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chiropractic program typically pursue careers as chiropractors or health specialties teachers. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 2,800 annual openings. The median wage for chiropractors is around $79,000, requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0101
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chiropractorsprimary SOC 29-1011 | $79,200 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~2,800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Chiropractic programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You will earn a Doctor's degree in professional practice.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and diagnostic techniques.
What is the job outlook for chiropractors?+
The job outlook for chiropractors is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.5%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 18 colleges offering the Chiropractic program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Chiropractic?+
Chiropractic is CIP 51.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chiropractic (CIP 51.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of chiropractic, a health care and healing system based on the application of non-invasive treatments and spinal adjustments to alleviate health problems caused by vertebral misalignments affecting bodily function as derived from the philosophy of Daniel Palmer. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, chiropractic theory and science, postural and spinal analysis, diagnostic radiology and ultrasound, adjustment technique, patient counseling, professional standards and ethics, and practice management.
How many institutions offer Chiropractic programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Chiropractic graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states & territories, awarding 3,022 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Chiropractic graduates.
How much do Chiropractic graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chiropractors occupation, which Chiropractic most directly leads to, pays a median of $79,200 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Chiropractic graduates, so its figures match the Chiropractic program page.
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