Best colleges for Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Health/Medical Preparatory Programs by graduate earnings are Kent State University at Kent ($41,924), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania ($37,491) and Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($36,058), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Kent State University at Kent (Kent, OH): $41,924, 23 graduates a year
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, PA): $37,491, 120 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $36,058, 143 graduates a year
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): $33,835, 124 graduates a year
- Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR): $33,642, 182 graduates a year
Compare 302 U.S. colleges offering Health/Medical Preparatory Programs by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,605 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.11.
About Health/Medical Preparatory Programs programs
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs are designed for undergraduate students in the United States who aim to pursue careers in various health professions. These programs provide essential foundational knowledge and experiences that prepare students for medical school and other health-related graduate programs. Students engage in pre-med coursework, volunteer activities, clinical experience, and research to enhance their readiness for advanced studies.
Core coursework in Health/Medical Preparatory Programs includes subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, which are critical for success in medical and health professional schools. Students also develop skills through hands-on experiences and community service, fostering a well-rounded educational background.
Top 24 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,924 | 23 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,491 | 120 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,058 | 143 | 68% | — | $25,993 |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,835 | 124 | 78% | $36,004 | $24,030 |
| 5 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,642 | 182 | 70% | — | $23,168 |
| 6 | Aurora University Aurora, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,018 | 93 | 60% | $18,431 | $21,375 |
| 7 | University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,868 | 58 | 53% | — | $28,995 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,899 | 125 | 49% | — | $27,000 |
| 9 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,218 | 35 | 52% | — | $25,000 |
| 10 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,439 | 166 | 62% | $35,358 | $27,000 |
| 11 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,164 | 376 | 80% | $35,682 | $25,000 |
| 12 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,238 | 58 | 65% | — | $17,854 |
| 13 | Marshall University Huntington, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,815 | 85 | 51% | — | $25,000 |
| 14 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,755 | 27 | 51% | — | $20,738 |
| 15 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,475 | 37 | 46% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,263 | 74 | 80% | $28,560 | $24,794 |
| 17 | Nevada State University Henderson, NV Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $85,007 | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 18 | Coppin State University Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,930 | 14 | 26% | — | $31,000 |
| 19 | Vermont State University Randolph, VT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,549 | 13 | 47% | — | — |
| 20 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,638 | 10 | 62% | — | $25,732 |
| 21 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $36,058 | 296 | 0% | — | $25,993 |
| 22 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,753 | 14 | 48% | — | $31,000 |
| 23 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,945 | 17 | 50% | — | $24,875 |
| 24 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,534 | 11 | 64% | $23,447 | $18,500 |
Top 16 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK Public · Associate degree | $83,933 | 61 | 30% | — | $21,961 |
| 2 | National Park College Hot Springs, AR Public · Certificate | $61,828 | 46 | 35% | — | $14,740 |
| 3 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE Public · Associate degree | $32,840 | 62 | 56% | — | $14,068 |
| 4 | Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff, MO Public · Associate degree | $30,736 | 44 | 33% | — | $11,000 |
| 5 | Meredith College Raleigh, NC Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $29,412 | 23 | 70% | $19,552 | $30,335 |
| 6 | Atlantic Cape Community College Mays Landing, NJ Public · Associate degree | $29,378 | 109 | 30% | — | $9,867 |
| 7 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $26,917 | 45 | 84% | $29,789 | $25,567 |
| 8 | Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA Public · Associate degree | $23,759 | 190 | 38% | — | $13,149 |
| 9 | Holmes Community College Goodman, MS Public · Associate degree | $21,326 | 220 | 39% | — | $11,000 |
| 10 | Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, MS Public · Associate degree | $21,070 | 20 | 41% | — | — |
| 11 | Howard College Big Spring, TX Public · Associate degree | $18,922 | 25 | 35% | — | $14,650 |
| 12 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Associate degree | $12,010 | 25 | 47% | — | $18,495 |
| 13 | Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OK Public · Associate degree | $30,605 | 276 | 28% | — | $18,744 |
| 14 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SC Public · Certificate Small program | $30,101 | 14 | 18% | — | $13,250 |
| 15 | Essex County College Newark, NJ Public · Associate degree | $26,596 | 123 | 20% | — | $9,499 |
| 16 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MA Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree Small program | $21,195 | 12 | 68% | $21,982 | $33,000 |
Specializations within Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
11 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.11 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Health/CIP 51.1199
Medical Preparatory Programs 3,642 graduates / yr110 institutions43 states - Pre-Nursing StudiesCIP 51.11052,938 graduates / yr73 institutions25 states
- Pre-Medicine/CIP 51.1102
Pre-Medical Studies 1,641 graduates / yr111 institutions38 states - Pre-Physical Therapy StudiesCIP 51.1109258 graduates / yr33 institutions20 states
- Pre-Pharmacy StudiesCIP 51.1103225 graduates / yr30 institutions21 states
- Pre-Physician AssistantCIP 51.1111New in CIP 2020135 graduates / yr12 institutions10 states
- Pre-Occupational Therapy StudiesCIP 51.1107105 graduates / yr18 institutions12 states
- Pre-Dentistry StudiesCIP 51.110159 graduates / yr12 institutions9 states
- Pre-Art TherapyCIP 51.1110New in CIP 2020partial data18 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states
- Pre-Chiropractic StudiesCIP 51.1106limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Pre-Optometry StudiesCIP 51.1108limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Common questions
What is a Health/Medical Preparatory Program?+
It is an educational track for undergraduate students preparing for medical school or other health-related graduate programs.
What specializations are available?+
Specializations include Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Occupational Therapy, and Pre-Optometry.
What skills will I develop?+
Students will develop foundational knowledge in sciences and gain practical skills through clinical experiences and volunteer work.
What careers can I pursue after this program?+
Graduates can pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and other health professions.
How much do Health/Medical Preparatory Programs graduates earn?+
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,605, College Scorecard (2019).
What is the CIP code for Health/Medical Preparatory Programs?+
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs maps to CIP 51.11 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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