Health Sciences

Heal. Treat. Improve lives.

Health sciences encompass the enormous range of careers dedicated to human health — from direct patient care to medical research, from public health policy to rehabilitative therapy. The healthcare industry is the largest employer in the United States, and demand for qualified professionals is projected to grow for decades. If you want a career where you directly improve people's lives, health sciences is the place to start.

Majors & Career Paths

Nursing

The backbone of healthcare. Nurses provide direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, schools, and communities. Multiple pathways: BSN, ADN, and LPN programs.

Pre-Medicine

The pathway to becoming a physician. Pre-med is not a major itself but a set of prerequisite courses (usually in biology or chemistry) that prepare you for medical school.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement. Leads to careers in physical therapy, sports medicine, athletic training, and exercise science.

Public Health

Protect and improve the health of communities and populations. Public health professionals work in epidemiology, health education, policy, and emergency preparedness.

Physical Therapy

Help people recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through movement and exercise. DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) is the standard degree.

Occupational Therapy

Help people perform daily activities after injury, illness, or disability. OT professionals work in hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers.

Dentistry

Diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth. Dental school follows a bachelor's degree, typically in a science field.

Veterinary Medicine

Diagnose and treat animals. Veterinary school follows a bachelor's degree. Careers span small animal practice, large animal/agricultural, wildlife, and research.

Nutrition

Study the role of food and nutrients in health and disease. Nutritionists and dietitians work in hospitals, schools, community health, sports, and private practice.

Medicine

Diagnose and treat human disease. The path to becoming a physician includes a bachelor's degree, medical school (MD or DO), and residency training.

Career Outlook

Healthcare occupations are projected to grow 13% through 2032, adding about 1.8 million jobs — more than any other occupational group. Median salaries range widely: $50,000–$60,000 for entry-level clinical roles, $80,000–$100,000+ for therapists and nurses with experience, and $200,000+ for physicians and specialists. Many health careers also offer strong job security and geographic flexibility.

Who Is This For?

Students who want to help people directly, are comfortable with science, and can handle the responsibility of others' wellbeing. You don't need to want to be a doctor — nursing, therapy, public health, and nutrition are all health science paths with their own rewards.

Virtual Fairs Featuring Health Sciences

These fairs are specifically focused on health sciences programs. Each one pairs this area of interest with a different U.S. region, so you can find schools in the part of the country that interests you.

• #3 Healing Hands Fair — Aug 17–21, 2026 (South)
• #17 Global Health Sciences — Nov 30–Dec 4, 2026 (Global / International)
• #30 Spring Health Fair — Mar 15–19, 2027 (Midwest)

The Summer Spectacular (#40, Jun 7–11, 2027) also features all 15 areas of interest, including health sciences, in a single mega fair.

Browse the full 2026–2027 fair schedule to see all 40 fairs.

Next Steps

1. Pick a fair from the list above that matches your region of interest.
2. Register for free — it takes about two minutes.
3. Explore exhibitor booths during fair week, chat with admissions reps, and request more info from programs that interest you.

Not sure health sciences is right for you? That's okay. Browse all 15 areas of interest to see what else is out there. You can attend as many fairs as you want.

This page is part of the College Fairs Online explore hub, helping students discover careers and connect with programs across 15 areas of interest.