Admit rate has ranged 35%–92% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is a highly specialized, online institution in Portland, Oregon, that has carved out a singular niche in holistic health education. It operates less like a traditional undergraduate college and more like a professional training ground for adult learners, career-changers, and wellness practitioners drawn to aromatherapy, herbal medicine, and holistic nutrition. With a student body composed almost entirely of non-traditional students and a curriculum laser-focused on integrative health, ACHS offers a unique, vocationally-oriented path that stands apart from conventional liberal arts or pre-med programs.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
759
In-state tuition
$13,040
Out-of-state tuition
$13,040
Student Body
Working adult professionals & career-changers
Graduation Rate
100%
Loan Recipients
75%
Instruction Mode
Online
First-Year Retention
100%
Median Earnings (6yr)
$26,458
Avg. Total Aid Awarded
$6,755
Federal Grant Recipients
83%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median debt at graduation
$13,523
Graduation rate
100%
First-year retention
100%
Pell (lower-income) share
66%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
44%
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
115
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
52"
Annual snow
16.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at American College of Healthcare Sciences?
American College of Healthcare Sciences's acceptance rate is approximately 53% (Portland, OR), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does American College of Healthcare Sciences cost?
At American College of Healthcare Sciences, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,782 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend American College of Healthcare Sciences?
American College of Healthcare Sciences enrolls approximately 759 undergraduate students.
Where is American College of Healthcare Sciences located?
American College of Healthcare Sciences is located in Portland, OR.
Admissions
ACHS admissions are moderately selective, with an hovering around 53-58%. The process appears designed for accessibility, particularly for non-traditional students; sources note that students are not always required to formally apply for admission to participate in some capacity, suggesting flexible entry points. The college's rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is reported at a notably high 59.42%, far above the average for institutions with similar acceptance rates, indicating strong appeal among those who are admitted. There is no mention of Early Decision programs or that demonstrated interest is a considered factor in admissions decisions, aligning with its adult-learner-focused model. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not prominently featured in available admissions data for this institution.
Acceptance Rate: ~53-58%
Yield Rate: 59.42%
Admissions Focus: Geared toward working adults and career-changers.
The academic mission is unequivocally centered on holistic and integrative health. All programs are distilled into a focused catalog of online courses and credentials in areas like aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and sustainable business. This is not a broad-based liberal arts college; it's a specialized training institute. Student reviews describe the staff as "incredible - knowledgeable, passionate about holistic health, understanding, and excellent communicators." The curriculum is built for direct application, offering micro-credentials and continuing education alongside full degree programs, catering to professionals seeking specific skills or a complete career pivot into the wellness industry.
Student life at ACHS is defined by its virtual, global community of like-minded adults. The college describes its student body as "working adult professionals seeking a career change, life-long learners who are interested in the holistic health field." There is no traditional residential campus experience. Instead, community is fostered online; the college has grown "from humble beginnings to a global online community" that empowers individuals in integrative health. Interactions likely occur through online courses, discussion forums, and virtual study groups, creating a network of peers who share a passion for healthcare and holistic wellness. The environment is noted for fostering "diversity and inclusivity," welcoming students from various backgrounds into this niche field.
Outcomes data paints a picture of a school serving a specific, vocationally-oriented population. The first-year retention rate is reported at a perfect 100%, suggesting high satisfaction among enrolled students, who are typically motivated adults. Graduation rates, however, show variation: one source reports a 4-year graduation rate of 46% and a 6-year rate of 49%, while another indicates a 6-year rate of 64% and an 8-year rate of 68%. This spread likely reflects the challenges and extended timelines common among adult learners balancing school with work and family. Post-graduation earnings data is modest; one report states graduates earn a median of $26,458 six years after enrollment, which is noted as roughly 39% below the national median. This aligns with careers in the holistic health and wellness sector, which may prioritize passion and service over high starting salaries.
ACHS is a private, for-profit institution with a published tuition and fee rate of $13,040 for all students, regardless of state residency. The average total aid awarded is $6,755, primarily coming from federal grants, which 83% of students receive. A significant majority of students (75%) also take out federal loans, with an average loan amount of $6,286. Institutional grants are not a major source of aid, as 0% of students receive them. The —the estimated cost after grants and scholarships—is a key figure for prospective students. The college provides a Net Price Calculator on its financial aid page to help families estimate this cost. There is no indication from the available sources that ACHS has a "no-loan" financial aid policy or that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans; aid packaging appears to follow standard federal and loan-based models.
ACHS stands out for its unwavering, almost monastic focus on a single domain: holistic health. It is not a college trying to be all things to all people. It is a dedicated training ground for aromatherapists, herbalists, holistic nutritionists, and wellness entrepreneurs. This creates a intensely focused academic culture where every course and credential is designed for practical application in a growing industry. The student body is its other defining feature—a global community of adult learners, career-changers, and lifelong students united by a shared passion for integrative wellness, interacting almost entirely online. For someone seeking a conventional undergraduate experience with dorms, football games, and a broad liberal arts core, ACHS is the wrong place. But for a working adult determined to build a credible, credentialed practice in holistic health on their own schedule, it offers a rare and targeted educational pathway that few other institutions provide.
American College of Healthcare Sciences seal · sourceAmerican College of Healthcare Sciences - Wikipedia · sourceAmerican College of Healthcare Sciences - Niche · sourceAmerican College of Healthcare Sciences Overview · source
