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Chiropractic Medicine: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Chiropractic Medicine is a specialized health profession focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders through non-invasive, hands-on interventions. Rooted in the foundational principles established by Daniel Palmer, the discipline emphasizes the body’s innate ability to heal itself when the spine and nervous system are properly aligned. Graduates are prepared to deliver patient-centered care that supports overall wellness and functional mobility.

  • Basic Medical Sciences: Core instruction in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and biochemistry to build a strong scientific foundation for clinical decision-making.
  • Chiropractic Theory and Science: Exploration of the philosophical and scientific principles underlying chiropractic care, including the relationship between spinal alignment and nervous system function.
  • Postural and Spinal Analysis: Training in evaluating posture, biomechanics, and spinal alignment to identify functional imbalances and guide treatment planning.
  • Diagnostic Radiology and Ultrasound: Hands-on experience with imaging techniques to assess skeletal integrity, detect pathology, and support accurate diagnosis.
  • Adjustment Technique: Mastery of manual and instrument-assisted spinal manipulation methods designed to restore joint mobility and reduce pain.
  • Patient Counseling and Health Promotion: Development of communication strategies to educate patients, support lifestyle changes, and encourage long-term wellness.
  • Professional Standards and Ethics: Study of legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing chiropractic practice and patient care.
  • Practice Management: Instruction in business operations, documentation, billing, marketing, and healthcare systems to support professional independence and sustainability.

Chiropractic Medicine Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

2,707
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
17
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Chiropractic Medicine Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chiropractic Medicine degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Chiropractors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 267,350 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 $105,620 $51,760 - $239,200 229,720 N/A
Chiropractors 29-1011 $79,000 $44,780 - $149,990 37,630 $37.98

Chiropractic Medicine Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,055 in Wyoming to $161,830 in District of Columbia—a 141% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arkansas, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 267,350 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Chiropractic Medicine by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 17 institutions offering Chiropractic Medicine programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Chiropractic Medicine is found at Palmer College of Chiropractic (596 graduates), Parker University (351 graduates), Life University (304 graduates), Logan University (237 graduates), and Life Chiropractic College West (Life West) (169 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,707 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Doctorate (Professional)
596 Davenport, Iowa Private palmer.edu
Parker University
Doctorate (Professional)
351 Dallas, Texas Private parker.edu
Life University
Doctorate (Professional)
304 Marietta, Georgia Private life.edu
Logan University
Doctorate (Professional)
237 Chesterfield, Missouri Private logan.edu
Life Chiropractic College West (Life West)
Doctorate (Professional)
169 Hayward, California Private lifewest.edu
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU)
Doctorate (Professional)
169 Whittier, California Private scuhs.edu
Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU)
Doctorate (Professional)
166 Bloomington, Minnesota Private nwhealth.edu
University of Western States (UWS)
Doctorate (Professional)
160 Portland, Oregon Private uws.edu
Cleveland University (CUKC)
Doctorate (Professional)
122 Overland Park, Kansas Private cleveland.edu
Northeast College of Health Sciences
Doctorate (Professional)
88 Seneca Falls, New York Private northeastcollege.edu
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Doctorate (Professional)
83 Spartanburg, South Carolina Private sherman.edu
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS)
Doctorate (Professional)
72 Lombard, Illinois Private nuhs.edu
Texas Chiropractic College Foundation Inc (TCC)
Doctorate (Professional)
68 Pasadena, Texas Private txchiro.edu
University of Bridgeport (UB)
Doctorate (Professional)
42 Bridgeport, Connecticut Private bridgeport.edu
Keiser University
Doctorate (Research)
41 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Private keiseruniversity.edu
D'Youville University
Doctorate (Professional)
24 Buffalo, New York Private dyu.edu
Universidad Central Del Caribe (UCC)
Doctorate (Professional)
15 Bayamon, Puerto Rico Private uccaribe.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Chiropractic Medicine programs

How much can I earn with a Chiropractic Medicine degree?

Salaries for Chiropractic Medicine graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Chiropractors earn around $79,000. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $161,830 compared to $67,055 in Wyoming. Approximately 267,350 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Chiropractic Medicine programs?

Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Chiropractic Medicine degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Palmer College of Chiropractic (596 graduates), Parker University (351 graduates), and Life University (304 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Chiropractic Medicine growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,601 in 2010 to 2,707 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Chiropractic Medicine degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Chiropractors, . Related occupations employ approximately 267,350 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Health Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.