Medical Specialties graduates earn $73,739 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 21.8%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Medical Specialties as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Medical Specialties is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $73,739 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 182 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,689 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$52,611
Median Earnings · 4yr
$73,739
Colleges Offering
182
Graduates / Year
2,689
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,588
How Much Do Medical Specialties Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Medical Specialties, a typical graduate earns $73,739, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $50,203 and $101,862, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $52,611 at one year out to $73,739 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$73,739
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$72,030
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Medical Specialties graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$50,20325th pct.
$73,739Median
$101,86275th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $73,739 against an estimated $82,352 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 44 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,689 students who complete Medical Specialties programs each year, the majority (81%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
81%
Master's81%
Post-Bacc Cert.7%
Bachelor's7%
What Can You Do With a Medical Specialties Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Medical Specialties graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Computer & Information Research Scientist pays the most at $140,300/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.
Active LearningCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
Top Colleges for Medical Specialties
Not sure where to study Medical Specialties? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Medical Specialties graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Medical Specialties is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Medical Specialties program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Medical Specialties a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $73,739 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $52,611 at graduation to $73,739 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +21.8% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Research Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $101,862, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Medical Specialties Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Medical Specialties graduates earn?
$73,739 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $50,203 and $101,862, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Medical Specialties degree?
$52,611 in the first year out. That grows to $73,739 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Medical Specialties degree?
Computer & Information Research Scientist is one path, and it pays a median of $140,300 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Medical Specialties program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Medical Specialties students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Medical Specialties?
182 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Medical Specialties degree worth it?
$73,739 median earnings four years out against $20,588 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Medical Specialties and Health?
Medical Specialties is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Medical Specialties-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Medical Specialties graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Medical Specialties graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Medical Specialties graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Medical Specialties graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +11.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +21.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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