Best institutions to study Audiology/Audiologist
A program that prepares individuals to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other disorders involving the ear, advise patients on means to use their remaining hearing, and select and fit hearing aids and other devices.
70 U.S. institutions graduated 1,023 Audiology/Audiologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0202, a specialization of Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02), and leads most directly to the Audiologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1181).
About Audiology/Audiologist programs
A program that prepares individuals to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other disorders involving the ear, advise patients on means to use their remaining hearing, and select and fit hearing aids and other devices. Includes instruction in acoustics, anatomy and physiology of hearing, hearing measurement, auditory pathology, middle and inner ear analysis, rehabilitation therapies and assistive technologies, and pediatric and other special applications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Audiology/Audiologist program, part of Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, prepares students to diagnose and treat hearing loss and related disorders. This program is ideal for those interested in helping individuals improve their hearing and quality of life through various therapeutic techniques and assistive technologies. Students in this program will learn to advise patients on managing their hearing loss, fit hearing aids, and conduct thorough evaluations of hearing and balance disorders. This field is suited for individuals who are passionate about health professions and want to make a significant impact in the lives of others.
Core coursework in this program includes instruction in acoustics, anatomy and physiology of hearing, auditory pathology, and rehabilitation therapies. Students will develop essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and patient evaluation, preparing them for hands-on work in audiology.
Credentials awarded
What Audiology/Audiologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - professional practice547 graduates / yr · 53 institutions54%
- Bachelor's degree165 graduates / yr · 6 institutions16%
- Master's degree149 graduates / yr · 6 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship109 graduates / yr · 11 institutions11%
- Doctor's degree - other43 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Audiology/Audiologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,017 |
| 2013 | 952 |
| 2014 | 984 |
| 2015 | 997 |
| 2016 | 1,025 |
| 2017 | 1,072 |
| 2018 | 1,061 |
| 2019 | 1,014 |
| 2020 | 1,026 |
| 2021 | 1,029 |
| 2022 | 937 |
| 2023 | 1,006 |
| 2024 | 987 |
| 2025 | 1,023 |
Top 50 institutions for Audiology/Audiologist, 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 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 146 | 88% | — | $23,509 |
| 2 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 73 | 53% | — | $35,615 |
| 3 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 52 | 51% | — | — |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 52 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 5 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralDoctoral (prof.) | 49 | — | — | — |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | — | — | $19,480 |
| 7 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralDoctoral | 23 | 47% | $14,382 | — |
| 8 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 20 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 9 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert. | 20 | 75% | — | $23,758 |
| 10 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 16 | 69% | — | $30,227 |
| 11 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 15 | 69% | $23,964 | — |
| 12 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 15 | 74% | — | $24,628 |
| 13 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 15 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | Rush University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 14 | — | — | — |
| 15 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 14 | 61% | — | — |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 14 | 76% | — | $26,577 |
| 17 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | 57% | — | $22,310 |
| 18 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | 77% | — | $28,425 |
| 19 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | 69% | — | $23,463 |
| 20 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | 63% | — | — |
| 21 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 13 | 89% | — | $22,286 |
| 22 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 12 | 53% | — | $28,702 |
| 23 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicDoctoral | 12 | 76% | — | $22,378 |
| 24 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 12 | 83% | — | $22,345 |
| 25 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 12 | 75% | — | $24,952 |
| 26 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 12 | 61% | — | $28,337 |
| 27 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicDoctoral | 11 | 86% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 11 | 91% | — | $26,539 |
| 29 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 11 | 59% | — | $23,752 |
| 30 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 11 | 58% | — | $30,971 |
| 31 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 11 | 65% | — | — |
| 32 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 33 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | 53% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | — | — | — |
| 35 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | 83% | — | $30,693 |
| 36 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | 91% | — | — |
| 37 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | — | — | $27,008 |
| 38 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 10 | 65% | — | $19,512 |
| 39 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 51% | — | $26,425 |
| 40 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicDoctoral | 9 | 58% | — | $24,474 |
| 41 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 52% | — | — |
| 42 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 43 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 44 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | 65% | — | — |
| 45 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 8 | 67% | — | — |
| 46 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 47 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicDoctoral | 8 | 53% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 8 | 90% | — | $14,668 |
| 49 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 7 | 56% | — | $22,915 |
| 50 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 7 | 39% | — | $21,587 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Communication Disorders Sciences and Services field (CIP 51.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 34 states
Where Audiology/Audiologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1181, Audiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Audiology/Audiologist program typically pursue careers as audiologists, with a strong job outlook projected at 9.5% growth and approximately 700 annual openings. The median wage for audiologists is $92,120, and most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0202
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Audiologistsprimary SOC 29-1181 | $95,780 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~700 | 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 Audiology/Audiologist 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
- Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
- Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
- Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
- Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.
- Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
- Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication.
Tools and technology used
Other Communication Disorders Sciences and Services specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02).
- Speech-Language Pathology/CIP 51.0203
Pathologist 7,257 graduates / yr189 institutions - Audiology/CIP 51.0204
Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/ Pathologist 7,257 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Sciences and DisordersCIP 51.02017,036 graduates / yr160 institutions
- Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 51.0299287 graduates / yr19 institutions
See all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become an audiologist?+
You typically need a doctoral or professional degree.
What skills are important for success in this field?+
Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are about 70 colleges offering the Audiology/Audiologist program.
What is the job outlook for audiologists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.5%.
What is the CIP code for Audiology/Audiologist?+
Audiology/Audiologist is CIP 51.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other disorders involving the ear, advise patients on means to use their remaining hearing, and select and fit hearing aids and other devices. Includes instruction in acoustics, anatomy and physiology of hearing, hearing measurement, auditory pathology, middle and inner ear analysis, rehabilitation therapies and assistive technologies, and pediatric and other special applications.
How many institutions offer Audiology/Audiologist programs?+
70 U.S. institutions reported Audiology/Audiologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states, awarding 1,023 credentials in the year. That is 4.5% of all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.
How much do Audiology/Audiologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Audiologists occupation, which Audiology/Audiologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $95,780 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication Disorders Sciences and Services field report median earnings of $24,952 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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