Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 5 reporting college programs.
−$319,446 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $31,243
- Federal debt
- $12,125
- Reporting programs
- 8
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $28,787
- Federal debt
- $26,701
- Reporting programs
- 3
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $40,273
- Federal debt
- $39,188
- Reporting programs
- 5
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $39,585
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,068
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 26
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,097
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,938
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 6
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $72,804
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Metropolitan State University of Denver$45,7662The University of Arizona Global Campus$44,0363Vermont State University$40,2734Everglades University$36,960Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metropolitan State University of DenverBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $45,766 | $27,452 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | The University of Arizona Global CampusBachelor's Degree | Chandler, AZ | $44,036 | $39,188 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Vermont State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Randolph, VT | $40,273 | Not available | -119% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Everglades UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boca Raton, FL | $36,960 | $55,204 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Northern Vermont UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $40,273 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.