Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other.: The DTI for this program is 75.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $28289) to the average debt ($21424) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 75.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($28289) against the typical student debt ($21424), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $28289, and the average student debt is $21424, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.76—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 9413 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (CIP 51.1199) is an academic pathway designed to prepare students for entry into professional healthcare and medical programs by building a strong foundation in science, critical thinking, and health-related competencies. This classification includes interdisciplinary and customized pre-professional programs that do not fall under a single, named track such as pre-med, pre-dental, or pre-nursing alone. It reflects the reality that many students pursue flexible preparatory routes before committing to a specific healthcare profession.
For a degree search site, Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other represents exploration, academic readiness, and strategic preparation. Healthcare professions are among the most competitive educational paths, and success depends heavily on early academic performance and prerequisite completion. This degree appeals to students who want a structured, health-focused undergraduate pathway that keeps multiple medical and health career options open while strengthening their candidacy for graduate or professional school.
What Is a Health or Medical Preparatory Program?
A Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other degree is an undergraduate-focused academic program designed to prepare students for admission into advanced healthcare education. Programs under the “Other” designation typically offer a customizable curriculum that aligns with prerequisite requirements for multiple professional schools, including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, physical therapy, and other allied health programs.
This degree typically focuses on:
- Foundational biomedical and health sciences
- Academic preparation for professional school admissions
- Critical thinking and scientific reasoning
- Health-related ethics and professionalism
- Advising and career exploration within healthcare
Colleges and universities offer these programs to:
- Prepare students for competitive health and medical graduate programs
- Provide flexibility for students exploring multiple healthcare careers
- Support strong academic performance in prerequisite coursework
- Reduce attrition by aligning coursework with long-term goals
These programs emphasize academic excellence, advising, and strategic preparation.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn the scientific and analytical foundations required for success in professional healthcare education. You’ll study core subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and mathematics while developing skills in problem-solving, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
The curriculum is academically rigorous and intentionally structured. Students are trained to think like healthcare professionals—analyzing complex information, applying evidence-based reasoning, and communicating clearly. Many programs also incorporate exposure to healthcare systems, ethics, and population health to help students understand the broader context of medical practice.
In addition to coursework, students often receive guidance on professional school admissions, including entrance exams, application strategy, interviewing skills, and experiential learning such as volunteering or research.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates of health and medical preparatory programs typically develop skills such as:
- Scientific reasoning and analytical thinking—problem-solving under complexity
- Strong foundations in biomedical sciences—biology, chemistry, physics
- Academic discipline and study strategies—high-performance learning
- Research literacy and data interpretation—evidence-based thinking
- Professional communication and writing—clear scientific expression
- Ethical reasoning and professionalism—healthcare standards
- Time management and academic resilience—rigorous workloads
- Career planning and goal alignment—strategic preparation
These skills are essential for success in medical, dental, and health professional schools.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution but commonly includes:
- General and Organic Chemistry: molecular foundations of health
- Biology and Cell Biology: living systems and processes
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: structure and function
- Physics for Health Sciences: mechanics and energy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: chemical basis of life
- Statistics and Research Methods: data-driven decision-making
- Health Ethics and Professionalism: moral frameworks
- Introduction to Healthcare Careers: role exploration
- Capstone, Seminar, or Advising Experience: professional preparation
Electives are often chosen to align with specific professional school prerequisites.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other are primarily designed as pathways to advanced education rather than terminal job credentials. However, graduates may qualify for entry-level health or research roles while applying to professional schools.
Common outcomes include:
- Admission to Medical School: MD or DO programs
- Dental, Pharmacy, or Veterinary School: professional degrees
- Physician Assistant or Physical Therapy Programs: clinical careers
- Public Health or Health Sciences Graduate Programs: advanced study
- Clinical or Research Assistant Roles: healthcare exposure
- Health Education or Program Support Positions: interim employment
Long-term career outcomes depend on the professional degree pursued after completion.
Where Can You Work After or During This Program?
Students and graduates often gain experience in environments that strengthen professional school applications:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Clinics, physician offices, and dental practices
- Research laboratories and academic institutions
- Public health departments and nonprofits
- Community health and volunteer organizations
- Universities and teaching hospitals
These experiences are often essential for competitive applications.
How Much Can You Earn?
As a preparatory degree, earnings are typically associated with short-term roles or subsequent professional education.
Typical scenarios include:
- Entry-level healthcare or research assistant roles: often $35,000–$50,000
- Post-graduate professional careers: vary widely by field
- Physicians, dentists, and advanced practitioners: often $150,000–$300,000+
The long-term earning potential is driven by the professional degree completed after this program.
Is This Degree Hard?
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other are considered academically demanding and competitive. Coursework is science-heavy and often mirrors the rigor of first-year professional programs. Students must maintain high GPAs while balancing labs, exams, and extracurricular expectations.
The challenge lies in sustaining consistent academic excellence while preparing for entrance exams and applications.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Plan to apply to medical, dental, or health professional school
- Want flexibility to explore multiple healthcare careers
- Are strong in science and willing to handle academic rigor
- Value structured advising and prerequisite alignment
- Are motivated by long-term professional goals
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a health or medical preparatory program:
- Take advanced biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses
- Develop strong study habits and academic discipline
- Volunteer or shadow in healthcare settings
- Build experience in research, science clubs, or STEM programs
- Strengthen time management and resilience skills
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (CIP 51.1199) provide a strategic and structured foundation for students pursuing competitive healthcare careers. They offer flexibility, rigorous academic preparation, and exposure to the realities of professional health education. For motivated students who want to keep multiple medical and health pathways open while building a strong application profile, this degree serves as a powerful launching point into the healthcare professions.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor