by our College Data Analytics TeamOrthotist/Prosthetist was the 710th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 335 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 5.7% reduction in orthotist/prosthetist degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 354.
This year's Best Orthotist/Prosthetist Schools ranking compares 13 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom orthotist/prosthetist rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in orthotist/prosthetist is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most orthotist/prosthetist degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic orthotist/prosthetist program qualifications, to serve in some orthotist/prosthetist careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Orthotist/Prosthetist degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in orthotist/prosthetist to the highest orthotist/prosthetist degree, a . Different orthotist/prosthetist degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to orthotist/prosthetist, with approximately 22.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for orthotist/prosthetist workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 17.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.7% |
| High School Diploma | 7.8% |
73.5% of orthotist/prosthetist workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in orthotist/prosthetist have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the orthotist/prosthetist career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your orthotist/prosthetist degree? Orthotist/Prosthetist careers are expected to grow 25.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to orthotist/prosthetist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 17,000 | 13.3% |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | 9,500 | 21.8% |
As you might expect, salaries for orthotist/prosthetist graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for orthotist/prosthetist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers orthotist/prosthetist grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $73,860 |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | $42,180 |
With over 28 different orthotist/prosthetist degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased orthotist/prosthetist school rankings to help you with this.
One of 15 majors within the Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions area of study, Orthotist/Prosthetist has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,655 |
| Occupational Therapy | 9,958 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,161 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 1,046 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 870 |
Image Credit: By Barbara E. Carver under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
