Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a comprehensive, evidence-informed discipline rooted in centuries-old Chinese healing traditions, designed to prepare practitioners for independent clinical practice. This program integrates foundational principles of Eastern medicine with modern healthcare standards, emphasizing holistic assessment, precise treatment planning, and patient-centered care.
- Chinese Medical Anatomy and Physiology: Explores the body’s energy systems, including meridians and qi flow, as a framework for understanding health and disease.
- Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis: Teaches advanced observational skills to assess internal imbalances through non-invasive diagnostic methods.
- Acupuncture Point Selection: Focuses on strategic identification and application of specific points to address a range of physiological and psychological conditions.
- Needle Techniques and Safety Protocols: Provides hands-on training in sterile needle insertion, manipulation, and safe clinical procedures in compliance with national standards.
- Chinese Herbal Medicine: Covers the classification, preparation, and therapeutic use of herbal formulas tailored to individual patient profiles.
- Pain Management and Disease Treatment: Addresses the clinical application of acupuncture for acute and chronic pain, as well as systemic conditions, using integrative treatment models.
- Western Medical Sciences Integration: Includes foundational coursework in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology to support cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Professional Ethics and Practice Management: Prepares students for licensure by covering regulatory requirements, documentation, legal responsibilities, and sustainable clinic operations.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degrees, including Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other and Acupuncturists. 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 39,310 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other 29-1299 | $113,730 | $65,210 - $194,000 | 30,870 | $54.68 |
| Acupuncturists 29-1291 | $78,140 | $41,840 - $158,540 | 8,440 | $37.57 |
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $37,430 in Idaho to $183,530 in Florida—a 390% difference. The highest-paying states include Florida, Virginia, and Montana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 39,310 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 Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 45 institutions offering Acupuncture and Oriental 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 Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is found at Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) (219 graduates), Five Branches University (FBU) (134 graduates), Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) (126 graduates), Pacific College of Health and Science (78 graduates), and South Baylo University (SBU) (77 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,485 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
219 | San Diego, California | Private | pacificcollege.edu |
| Five Branches University (FBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
134 | Santa Cruz, California | Private | fivebranches.edu |
| Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
126 | Vienna, Virginia | Private | vuim.edu |
| Pacific College of Health and Science |
Master's
|
78 | New York, New York | Private | pacificcollege.edu |
| South Baylo University (SBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
77 | Anaheim, California | Private | southbaylo.edu |
| Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
49 | Berkeley, California | Private | aimc.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
47 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
47 | Asheville, North Carolina | Private | daoisttraditions.edu |
| Alhambra Medical University (AMU) |
Master's
|
46 | Alhambra, California | Private | amu.edu |
| Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
40 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | pihma.edu |
| Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
39 | Santa Monica, California | Private | emperors.edu |
| Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
36 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Private | nwhealth.edu |
| New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NYCTCM) |
Master's
|
32 | Mineola, New York | Private | nyctcm.edu |
| Won Institute of Graduate Studies |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Warminster, Pennsylvania | Private | woninstitute.edu |
| Dongguk University (DULA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
30 | Los Angeles, California | Private | dula.edu |
| American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Med (ACAOM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
30 | Houston, Texas | Private | acaom.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
28 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
27 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | muih.edu |
| Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
25 | Denver, Colorado | Private | ccmu.edu |
| Florida College of Integrative Medicine (FCIM) |
Master's
|
25 | Orlando, Florida | Private | fcim.edu |
| Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine (ATOM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
25 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | atom.edu |
| New York College of Health Professions (NYCHP) |
Master's
|
23 | Syosset, New York | Private | nycollege.edu |
| Academy for Five Element Acupuncture |
Master's
|
21 | Gainesville, Florida | Private | acupuncturist.edu |
| Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine |
Master's
|
20 | Sugar Grove, North Carolina | Private | jungtao.edu |
| Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
18 | Whittier, California | Private | scuhs.edu |
| Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
18 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | pacificcollege.edu |
| University of East-West Medicine (UEWM) |
Master's
|
18 | Sunnyvale, California | Private | uewm.edu |
| National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
16 | Portland, Oregon | Private | nunm.edu |
| Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Med (ICAOM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
16 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | orientalmedicine.edu |
| Texas Health and Science University (THSU) |
Master's
|
15 | Austin, Texas | Private | thsu.edu |
| Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
13 | Seattle, Washington | Private | sieam.edu |
| California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
12 | San Francisco, California | Private | ciis.edu |
| Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine (DRCOM) |
Master's
|
12 | Gainesville, Florida | Private | dragonrises.edu |
| Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture (ITEA) |
Master's
|
12 | Louisville, Colorado | Private | itea.edu |
| University of Bridgeport (UB) |
Master's
|
11 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Private | bridgeport.edu |
| Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) |
Master's
|
10 | Oakland, California | Private | acchs.edu |
| National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Lombard, Illinois | Private | nuhs.edu |
| American Academy of Health and Wellness |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Roseville, Minnesota | Private | acupunctureschoolusa.com |
| Wongu University of Oriental Medicine |
Master's
|
10 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Private | wongu.edu |
| American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM) |
Master's
|
8 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | aiam.edu |
| Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (ESATM) |
Master's
|
8 | Bloomfield, New Jersey | Private | esatm.edu |
| Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Private | yosan.edu |
| Lotus Professional College |
Master's
|
4 | Richmond, Virginia | Private | lotus.edu |
| Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ASAOM) |
Master's
|
2 | Tucson, Arizona | Private | asaom.edu |
| Midwest College of Oriental Medicine |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
1 | Skokie, Illinois | Private | acupuncture.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs
How much can I earn with a Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree?
Salaries for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine graduates vary by role and location. Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other earn a median of $113,730 annually, while Acupuncturists earn around $78,140. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Florida average $183,530 compared to $37,430 in Idaho. Approximately 39,310 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 Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs?
Currently 45 accredited institutions offer Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) (219 graduates), Five Branches University (FBU) (134 graduates), and Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) (126 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 Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,460 in 2010 to a peak of 1,742 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,485 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% 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 Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other, Acupuncturists, . Related occupations employ approximately 39,310 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.
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