Podiatrist Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a podiatrist. Podiatrists usually study podiatric medicine, biology, or medical assisting services. 37% of podiatrists hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 830 real podiatrist resumes to see exactly what podiatrist education sections show.

The most common colleges for podiatrists are the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

There are also many online podiatrist courses to help get the education required to be a podiatrist.

There are certain podiatrist certifications that you should consider. These podiatrist certifications include Medical Assistant and Surgery.

What education do you need to become a podiatrist?

What degree do you need to be a podiatrist?

The most common degree for podiatrists is bachelor's degree, with 37% of podiatrists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 27% and doctoral degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 37%
  • Doctorate, 27%
  • Diploma, 9%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 19%

What should I major in to become a podiatrist?

You should major in podiatric medicine to become a podiatrist. 38% of podiatrists major in podiatric medicine. Other common majors for a podiatrist include biology and medical assisting services.

Most common colleges for podiatrists

Podiatrists often get their degrees at New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Temple University, and Barry University. Here are the most common colleges for podiatrists in the US based on their resumes.
Podiatrist Common College
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
New York College of Podiatric Medicine29.06%
Temple University21.37%
Barry University9.40%
Des Moines4.27%
University of Pennsylvania3.42%

Best majors for podiatrists

Rank
ascdesc
Major
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
1Podiatric Medicine37.6%
2Biology15.0%
3Medical Assisting Services10.3%
4Business5.3%
5Health Care Administration3.6%

Best colleges for podiatrists

The best colleges for podiatrists are Northwestern University, Purdue University, and University of Pittsburgh.

A podiatrist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for podiatrists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become podiatrists.

1. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

In-State Tuition

$10,312

Enrollment

21,793

Website

www.kent.edu

Address

P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $33,500 per year

Net Price: $17,807 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 85.35%
SAT Average - 1131
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Education
Nursing
Biology
Business
Psychology

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Communication
Psychology
Education

3. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-State Tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

Website

https://www.virginia.edu

Address

1707 University Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22904

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $56,800 per year

Net Price: $20,281 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 26.43%
SAT Average - 1427
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Liberal Arts
Education
Biology
Business
Nursing

4. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,306

Enrollment

6,975

Website

www.emory.edu

Address

1520 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $65,500 per year

Net Price: $24,593 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 18.52%
SAT Average - 1449
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Nursing
Psychology
Chemistry

5. Kettering College

Kettering, OH • Private

In-State Tuition

$12,960

Enrollment

610

Website

kc.edu

Address

3737 Southern Blvd, Kettering, OH 45429-1299

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,500 per year

Net Price: $18,520 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 26.63%
SAT Average - 1125
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
Medical Assisting Services

20 best online courses for podiatrists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for podiatrists

The most affordable schools for podiatrists are Brigham Young University - Idaho, purdue university, and tarleton state university.

If the best universities for podiatrists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for podiatrists.

B

1. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,118

Cost of Attendance

12,223

Website

www.byui.edu

Address

525 S Center, Rexburg, ID 83460-4107

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $35,600 per year

Net Price: $7,632 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 97.17%
SAT Average - 1140
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Liberal Arts
Business
Biology
Education
Nursing

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Cost of Attendance

22,430

Website

https://www.purdue.edu

Address

Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,000 per year

Net Price: $12,527 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 57.98%
SAT Average - 1309
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Education
Business
Communication
Biology
Nursing

3. Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,292

Cost of Attendance

20,387

Website

www.tarleton.edu

Address

201 St. Felix Street, Stephenville, TX 76402-0000

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,200 per year

Net Price: $17,707 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 55.07%
SAT Average - 1056
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Liberal Arts
Business
Biology
Psychology

4. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,283

Cost of Attendance

22,243

Website

www.ucdenver.edu/

Address

13120 E. 19th Ave #C288-18, Aurora, CO 80045

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,700 per year

Net Price: $15,446 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 63.63%
SAT Average - 1132
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Biology
Nursing
Psychology

5. Trident University International

Cypress, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,240

Cost of Attendance

17,912

Website

www.trident.edu/

Address

5757 Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Cypress, CA 90630

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,400 per year

Net Price: $12,529 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.53%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Health Sciences And Services
Education
Health Care Administration
Computer Science

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for podiatrists

The hardest universities for podiatrists to get into are Northwestern University, Purdue University, and University of Pittsburgh.

Some great schools for podiatrists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for podiatrists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Communication
Psychology
Education

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions Rate

58%

SAT Average

1,309

Website

https://www.purdue.edu

Address

Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,000 per year

Net Price: $12,527 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 57.98%
SAT Average - 1309
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Education
Business
Communication
Biology
Nursing

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

59%

SAT Average

1,367

Website

www.pitt.edu

Address

4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,300 per year

Net Price: $28,758 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 59.27%
SAT Average - 1367
ACT Average - 31
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Education
Psychology
Nursing
Business

4. Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

1,261

Website

https://www.luc.edu

Address

820 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $45,200 per year

Net Price: $34,024 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 67.92%
SAT Average - 1261
ACT Average - 28
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Nursing
Business
Psychology
Education

5. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions Rate

64%

SAT Average

1,132

Website

www.ucdenver.edu/

Address

13120 E. 19th Ave #C288-18, Aurora, CO 80045

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,700 per year

Net Price: $15,446 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 63.63%
SAT Average - 1132
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Biology
Nursing
Psychology

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for podiatrists

The easiest schools for podiatrists to get into are AdventHealth University, clarkson college, and saint joseph's college, new york.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a podiatrist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for podiatrists.

A

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,016

Website

www.ahu.edu

Address

671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,500 per year

Net Price: $17,211 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 86.89%
SAT Average - 1016
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Health Care Administration
Biology
Medical Assisting Services
Health Sciences And Services

2. Clarkson College

Omaha, NE • Private

Admissions Rate

41%

SAT Average

1,035

Website

www.clarksoncollege.edu/

Address

101 S 42nd St, Omaha, NE 68131-2739

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,800 per year

Net Price: $24,964 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 40.68%
SAT Average - 1035
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Medical Assisting Services
Health Care Administration
Business
Education

3. Saint Joseph's College, New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

70%

SAT Average

1,109

Website

www.sjcny.edu

Address

245 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205-3688

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,600 per year

Net Price: $16,769 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 69.77%
SAT Average - 1109
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Nursing
Education
Liberal Arts
Psychology
L

4. Louisiana College

Pineville, LA • Private

Admissions Rate

78%

SAT Average

1,084

Website

www.lacollege.edu

Address

1140 College Dr, Pineville, LA 71359

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $35,400 per year

Net Price: $12,789 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 78.47%
SAT Average - 1084
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Education
Liberal Arts
Nursing
Biology
Medical Assisting Services

5. Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

55%

SAT Average

1,056

Website

www.tarleton.edu

Address

201 St. Felix Street, Stephenville, TX 76402-0000

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,200 per year

Net Price: $17,707 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 55.07%
SAT Average - 1056
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Liberal Arts
Business
Biology
Psychology

Average podiatrist salary by education level

Podiatrist education level
ascdesc
Podiatrist salary
ascdesc
Doctorate Degree$100,580

Podiatrist Education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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