Best institutions to study Orthotist/Prosthetist
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 302 Orthotist/Prosthetist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2307, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Orthotists and Prosthetists occupation (BLS SOC 29-2091).
About Orthotist/Prosthetist programs
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity. Includes instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis, pathomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, neuroanatomy, materials science, diagnostic imaging, patient analysis and measurement, impression taking, model rectification, assistive/restorative technology and engineering applications, product finishing, diagnostic and definitive fitting and alignment, power devices, postoperative management, and patient counseling and follow-up.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Orthotist/Prosthetist program is designed for individuals interested in the rehabilitation and therapeutic professions. This program prepares students to work closely with physicians and therapists to design and fit orthoses for patients with limb and spine disabilities, as well as prostheses for those with limb loss or deformities.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in biomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, and assistive technology. Coursework includes patient analysis, measurement techniques, and the fitting and alignment of orthotic and prosthetic devices, equipping graduates with essential skills for their future careers.
Credentials awarded
What Orthotist/Prosthetist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree208 graduates / yr · 12 institutions69%
- Associate's degree22 graduates / yr · 4 institutions7.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year21 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years20 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years19 graduates / yr · 4 institutions6.3%
- Bachelor's degree12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.0%
Graduates over time
Orthotist/Prosthetist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 280 |
| 2013 | 379 |
| 2014 | 334 |
| 2015 | 324 |
| 2016 | 352 |
| 2017 | 369 |
| 2018 | 398 |
| 2019 | 332 |
| 2020 | 353 |
| 2021 | 333 |
| 2022 | 330 |
| 2023 | 324 |
| 2024 | 407 |
| 2025 | 302 |
Top 17 institutions for Orthotist/Prosthetist, 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 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 46 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 2 | Century College White Bear Lake, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 31% | — | — |
| 3 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 31 | 21% | — | — |
| 4 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicMaster's | 23 | 52% | — | — |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 46% | — | $33,926 |
| 7 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | — | — | — |
| 8 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 54% | $28,311 | — |
| 9 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 17 | 46% | $17,328 | — |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's | 16 | 85% | — | $39,836 |
| 11 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TXPublicMaster's | 14 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 13 | 85% | — | — |
| 13 | NHTI - Concord's Community College Concord, NHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 29% | — | $42,459 |
| 14 | Alabama State University Montgomery, ALPublicMaster's | 7 | 30% | — | $22,847 |
| 15 | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 16 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 17 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 58% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states
Where Orthotist/Prosthetist graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2 | 77 | Northwestern University46 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 52 | Century College35 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 39 | Baylor College of Medicine25 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 23 | Kennesaw State University23 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 21 | Eastern Michigan University20 / yr |
| California | 1 | 19 | Loma Linda University19 / yr |
| Washington | 2 | 18 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus13 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 17 | University of Hartford17 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 16 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus16 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 11 | NHTI - Concord's Community College11 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 7 | Alabama State University7 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 2 | Johns Hopkins University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2091, Orthotists and Prosthetists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Orthotist/Prosthetist program can pursue careers as orthotists and prosthetists, with a job outlook that is much faster than average, projecting a 13.3% growth rate and approximately 900 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $78,310, and a typical educational requirement is a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2307
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Orthotists and Prosthetistsprimary SOC 29-2091 | $81,110 | +13.3% Much faster than average | ~900 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Appliance Technicians SOC 51-9082 | $48,030 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~1,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 Orthotist/Prosthetist 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
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
Tools and technology used
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Physical Therapy/CIP 51.2308
Therapist 13,795 graduates / yr277 institutions - Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Art Therapy/CIP 51.2301
Therapist 675 graduates / yr62 institutions - Therapeutic Recreation/CIP 51.2309
Recreational Therapy 640 graduates / yr49 institutions - Music Therapy/CIP 51.2305
Therapist 635 graduates / yr70 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Kinesiotherapy/CIP 51.2311
Kinesiotherapist partial data96 graduates / yr6 institutions - Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What is the main focus of the Orthotist/Prosthetist program?+
The program focuses on designing and fitting orthotic and prosthetic devices for patients with disabilities.
What degree is typically awarded upon completion?+
Most graduates receive a master's degree in Orthotist/Prosthetist.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop critical thinking, active listening, and knowledge in biomechanics and patient care.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as orthotists and prosthetists, with strong job growth and competitive salaries.
What is the CIP code for Orthotist/Prosthetist?+
Orthotist/Prosthetist is CIP 51.2307 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with physicians and other therapists, to design and fit orthoses for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and/or spine, and prostheses for patients who have partial or total absence of a limb or significant superficial deformity. Includes instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis, pathomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, neuroanatomy, materials science, diagnostic imaging, patient analysis and measurement, impression taking, model rectification, assistive/restorative technology and engineering applications, product finishing, diagnostic and definitive fitting and alignment, power devices, postoperative management, and patient counseling and follow-up.
How many institutions offer Orthotist/Prosthetist programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Orthotist/Prosthetist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 302 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Orthotist/Prosthetist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Orthotists and Prosthetists occupation, which Orthotist/Prosthetist most directly leads to, pays a median of $81,110 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $39,836 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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