Bastyr University Reviews

"Don't waste your time, energy, and money at this school. If you're interested in making an impact on people's health, I'd recommend pursuing a career in public health through a respected science-based program. This is not that school. 20 years later, my husband (who did the ND program) and I still have close to 200K in loans and have zero job prospects in a healthcare-related role. I've completely changed careers to another field. And after almost 15 years trying to make it work in private practice (with no retirement savings), my husband is switching careers too. Bastyr exploits students by preying on their ideals and making empty promises that have no evidence or return on investment."

"All I can tell you is that I wanted to have a degree that would be a springboard for my future...and it has been. Every position I have had since graduation from the ND program has led to greater and greater salaries...and a real fulfillment. I know that some people have had different experiences. I think you have to keep in mind that people graduate from grad school at different times in history. Sometimes when a cohort comes out of school the economy is pretty good and other times it is not. You cannot blame the school for this fortune or misfortune. I was in medical practice for five years when the whole world economy fell apart. I did end up losing my practice at that time...however, I am resourceful and I simply reframed myself and went a different direction, using ALL that I learned at Bastyr. Despite what people say on this website...it is mostly about what YOU bring as a future healer and future practitioner of natural sciences and wellness care. No degree program anywhere provides you with a promise of a fabulous career. You have to work for it. You have to be positive and resilient. If you are not then no education is going to help you... SO...if you want to be a well-trained, knowledgeable provider of science-based wellness services to your family, friends and community...and have a rewarding career, then Bastyr is the best place for you...thousands of grads can attest to this. Don't believe the tiny minority who have not had a positive, personal journey. Find your journey."

"After completing my Cell and Molecular Biology, B.S. from the University of Washington, I knew I wanted to attend medical school but I was not attracted to standard medicine approaches. Medications and surgical interventions did not interest me. I actually learned about Bastyr from a doctor. I sought them out as I needed to overcome chronic liver problems caused by excessive prescribed NSAID use. After a year of care, I became healthy once again. They told me about Bastyr and I checked it out. Once finding Bastyr was an accredited school which would provide me tools needing to practice primary care medicine in Washington, I enrolled. The campus itself is on absolutely stunning grounds which also helped me make my decision. The quality of instruction overall was excellent. I state excellent as I graduated confident that I could help patients recover from a myriad of chronic conditions. Yes, there were a few professors and courses which were not my style but what college has a perfect batting average for all students liking all professors and courses? You make the education what you want out of it as there are so many opportunities to expand your network. Think of Bastyr as the hub and all the medical institutions and major clinics around the NW and beyond as spokes. I definitely leveraged this network and greatly expanded my knowledge outside of school hours and during preceptorships. One preceptorship I had was with William Rea, MD in Texas who was the world's leading clinical ecologist at the time. He welcomed me without hesitation and it was an outstanding opportunity and a lasting friendship. If you are passionate about either helping prevent disease, optimize health or helping others overcome disease, naturopathic medicine taught at Bastyr University prepares you exceptionally well. If you want to learn about emergency medicine or minor surgical techniques, Bastyr has strengths here as well as I have colleagues who are doing quite well in both. This is not my area. The best business decision I ever made was going to naturopathic medical school at Bastyr - even though it was met with massive resistance from both my parents and many of my friends. Yes, I graduated with a lot of debt but I've since paid it all off and give back to the community. Currently, I own and operate a respected supplement company with global distribution while writing, researching and presenting worldwide. I am happy to work collaboratively with all health professionals - ND, MD, DC, DO, RN, LAc and all others who work tirelessly serving their patients. What initials are after our name truly don't matter. What matters is what you're most passionate about learning as that is what you'll be best at doing."

"Going to Bastyr was the worst financial decision I ever made. I followed a dream of wanting to pursue a career that I thought was very interesting and would be enjoyable while also being able to take care of my health doing it. I didn't care so much about making a lot of money doing it; I just wanted to make enough to live a comfortable middle class life. I thought the satisfaction of being able to live a healthy lifestyle would outweigh everything else. Studying Acupuncture was in fact interesting, but nowhere near worth the price tag of Bastyr. The beauty of the campus is the best thing it has going for it. The ratio of the money most people make coming out of Bastyr compared to the amount of student loans one has to take on going to Bastyr is way out of balance, in my opinion. The websites that tell you how much Acupuncturists make are grossly inaccurate. Six months after graduation, my student loan payment was roughly $1000, after about $82,000 borrowed. Six months after graduation was not nearly enough time to start making the kind of money necessary to start paying that kind of expense off for me. I was not able pay down the debt fast enough for the interest on the loans to start accumulating making it very difficult to even touch the principle. I will probably now be living with these student loans for the rest of my life. I wish I would have chosen to pursue a more practical degree at a more affordable college because the amount of financial turmoil I am burdened with because of going to Bastyr is not worth it. If you are taking out loans to go to Bastyr, then plan on paying off two mortgages if you ever want to buy a house."

"I understand how difficult it is to choose which graduate program to attend, I too was in your place. This university is amazing at selling you false hopes. If you are attending this institution be prepared to pay double to triple the average price for a fraction of the benefits. Do not rely on the library being open, on supportive professors, on tutors available when need be. If you are experiencing hardships, you WILL have to face even more as they will not support you whatsoever. Please please please take my word for it. Go ANYWHERE BUT BASTYR. Their reputation is becoming worse day by day. The president of the university caused a number of professors to leave until they fired the president WITHOUT hiring another for an entire academic year so far. Be sure to check out their diversity within YOUR program (or lack thereof). Run!!! Keep your hundreds of thousands of dollars and RUN!!!!"

"Bastyr University (Kenmore campus) is an alternative health college set in an absolutely beautiful environment. Surrounded by a State Park filled with trails, access to the gorgeous Lake Washington, and rich herb gardens, this campus has everything students need to center themselves while learning to become healthcare practitioners. Bastyr University is the perfect place to meet students and professionals in all fields of alternative medicine. Students of naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicines, psychology, nutrition and sports science, amongst many other professional pursuits, are able to share knowledge, develop projects, and share friendships. Attending Bastyr University has helped me develop the skills I need to create the future of my dreams, while providing me with nourishing foods, resourceful nature and precious friendships for life!"

"Bastyr University is a great University with a wealth of information to provide to students. With a strong basic science background, students are given the tools to figure out that is actually going on with patients. Just today I was discussing the Bastyr ND program with other student who is close to someone going through conventional medical school the differences between naturopathic medical school and conventional medical school. The biggest insight is that naturopathic medical school goes far deeper into the basic sciences in comparison side by side to some of the conventional medical classes that this student was privy to. Additionally, the other biggest difference is that as NDs we just have more tools in our tool box. Just some more food for thought!"

"Negative review is mostly true and I would agree, although there are some very dedicated instructors mostly in the core programs often classes are taught by new graduates who have never practiced. The clinic is a horrible experience, did nothing to teach me how to treat patients. I was not at all prepared to step out on my own and believe me once you are done with school you are on your own. I personally don't know anyone that's actually made any money as an ND. There are NO jobs in spite of what the school says. I have never been able to service my school loans which were substantial and now i'm just trying figure out how to redeem myself and gain some self respect after this colossal mistake. If I had it to do all over again I stay in the building trades at least I have a small pension."

"Excellent education, rewarding profession, but do consider the amount of student loan debt you may be accruing and plan accordingly. I believe the negative review may be fake - the quality of the writing and spelling do not reflect the admissions standards required, or the intelligence expected of a naturopathic medical student. ND's are outside of the mainstream and as such are still reviled and mocked by some individuals."

"Bastyr is a smaller school with about 2,000 students when counting both locations (Seattle area & San Diego). The campus is beautiful. On St. Edward's state park with the botanical gardens in the back. Even though one is so close to the city, it can feel like one is far away from the crazy busy city. Campus is a great place to study. Clinic is in Wallingford area in Seattle. Parking is a pain in the butt so I choose to live close to campus then take the school shuttle provided. Saving money, not having to move a car every 2 hours like others. Tickets are expensive too so make sure to move your car onto a new block every 2 hours or else you will get tagged. In the acupuncture & east asian program, by the time you are 2 years into the program mostly all classes will be at clinic which makes it nice when half the time is spent in clinicals. The school just recently got a new president last quarter so not much has happened yet. The school is going through many other changes with old professors leaving & new ones joining. My co-hort is great. Studying alone would not get you through the program. Need to be able to rely on others around you."

"I am currently in my first year of the Masters of Public Health program at Bastyr University. As I have only just started my graduate school education, I can only speak to the experience I have had thus far. I grew up in the surrounding area and have always heard rave reviews about the faculty, campus and education. I attended a large state school as an undergraduate and really appreciate the small class sizes and intimate setting BU offers. Within the first week, all of my professors knew my name, which is impressive because mine is a tough one, and I had already begun to form friendships with my fellow classmates. My cohort is particularly small (about 12 people) which made me nervous at first; what if our personalities dont sync and then were stuck together for two years? The cohesive dynamic and inclusive environment of this campus really reflects on and positively affects the students and it didnt take me long to realize that even if our personalities didnt mesh perfectly, we would all get along because we were invested in each others success. The curriculum and class schedule are suitable for students who need to work part or full-time for a living which was a huge factor when making my decision as to where to attend. The professors are genuinely interested in us, as students, and are willing to provide as much help outside the classroom as possible to ensure our success. The faculty comes from a variety of backgrounds but have all had real world experience which is so important when it comes to public health. All in all, the decision of which graduate school to attend was not easy but I have not second guessed nor regretted my decision to attend BU. I have no doubt that this school will provide an exceptional education and a network on which to build an impressive career."

"From the moment I drove onto the Bastyr campus, I knew it was the place for me. I had actually been reading their catalogs and website for many years before attending, dreaming about pursuing a career in natural medicine. It was finally the time for me to attend in 2015. All of Bastyr's programs are focused on natural medicine - this philosophy is supported in so many ways on campus. Food in the cafeteria is local and organic. The bookstore contains, books of course, but also fairly priced tinctures, herbs, and essential oils. There is a beautiful whole foods kitchen for culinary classes, as well as an herbal medicine making lab. There are nature cure clubs offering hydrotherapy. The setting itself is beautiful, as it is inside of a state park with miles of trails through trees and down to lake washington. The instruction itself has been challenging but manageable. I have never been one to actually get to know my instructors very well, but in this smaller setting it comes very naturally. Overall I am very happy with my experience here, and look forward to going back for one more year before I graduate."

"Bastyr University presents rigorous study under professional, inspirational professors. Classes range from challenging and complex to downright magical. Electives include a weekend learning Ayurvedic nutrition principles, learning how to identify and make medicine from seaweed on the coast, gaining a better understanding of fermentation, and more. Campus is within a state park and has plenty of trails to Lake Washington along with the herbal gardens, which provides a peaceful place to learn, study, or even just to eat lunch. Parking can be a bit competitive, but once in the building, the halls are always calm. The library offers a serene place to do homework, study, read, and do research. Library staff are extremely helpful and kind, always willing to solve an issue or find an article."

"The school is very small in size, yet, it has all the essential facilities and equipments for students. The professors are really nice and have great passion and patience teaching students. Naturopathic Medicine is one of the most important programs in this school, students have more than enough opportunities to learn ."

"Bastyr University is a great school. Their belief in holistic health drives the focus of the classes and the students. The counseling program is changing, but in a positive way. Classes are still on the weekends, which offers students the choice to continue working during the week, but the program has added on another quarter. This will allow the students to receive more credits, so they could possibly have more options to work in other states. The professors are great and the experience is wonderful!"

"Avoid this school like your life depended on it. This school is TOXIC! The students and staff are so unhealthy. They sell you a program that is boasted as being in a beautiful wondrous setting on the shores of Lake Washington on pristine acerage. They boast how their programs are world recognized. Instead you get some of the worse professors I have ever had. Its as if everyone with severe emotional issues decided to either attend as students or apply for jobs as professors. Having a professor bring his guitar to class and stand up in front of the class and cry and be all emotional week after week gets old. I paid my tuition... and I wanted to be taught, instead it was the biggest waste of 300k I've ever spent! This is theeeee worst return on your investment. who spends 300k on an education to earn an average of 80K 5 years, yes 5 years after graduation!!!!????!!! Sonographers with a 2 year degree from a community college graduate and START at that wage!! Dr. P one of the founding fathers of Bastyr is a complete A**! He stood up and talked about how his son brought home a fat chick with bad skin and he had no idea what in the world his son saw in this girl...? Excuse me? you say this to a room full of 130+ students? He went on to say MD's have NO business being primary care physicians and that only Naturopathic "doctors" are experienced enough to be primary care physicians. First of all after what I've seen ND's have zero business calling themselves doctors. The "diagnosis" skills taught are GROSSLY inadequate, the treatments plans at the clinic were dumbfoudningly inadequate! My time at the Bastyr Clinic... the Prestine clinic of the UNIVERSITY! was beyond inadequate and disappointing. I was snowed. This program is dangerous!!!!! The department of education should be pulling their funding. I cannot believe this profession has convinced governing powers it is a legitimate profession. Run! if you are considering this program. DONT walk away, Run!! So many people left this program. I should have too! I am telling you the administration only cares about taking your money. They do zero zero zero to help you acquire any kind of employment. Just google nauropathic medicine jobs. You will find.. like 1 or 2... paying less than you can make as a checker at Safeway!! RUN!!!! Save yourself a life of junk cars and junk medicine."

"Bastyr University is a special place. Many people think that it is central to hippies but what it really is home to are people that are truly dedicated to helping people create a healthy life. The curriculum is intense and requires a lot of time and energy devoted to truly understand the information. I have had some of the most life changing professors at this school that truly care about each and every student that passes through their doors. If you are at all interested in nutrition, exercise science, naturopathic medicine or herbal medicine then I would highly recommend taking a look at Bastyr, you will not regret it."

"I absolutely love my school, no where else have I been able to find individuals who are so dedicated to life, health and integrity. Although the curriculum is incredibly challenging, the student body is collaborative rather than competitive, and nothing is frowned upon in our small circle more than one who belives he/she can only get ahead if others don't. We freely share study guides and tips, and it is always a great feeling no matter which side one is on. Additionally the adminstration and staff are all friendly, understanding, and supportive. No doors are ever closed, and no one is ever too busy for either a chat or a moment of counsel."

"Bastyr is a great university with diverse professors providing in depth knowledge from other countries; we are exposed to many Chinese Doctors in the acupuncture program (acupuncture originated in China) and other countries that gives more depth to your education. The school has many great programs that expose us to other clinicians that we can network with and learn from once we are professionals. The elective classes offered also enhance your training and knowledge. For instance, I am able to get trained in Cranio Sacral work with taking electives in my program that will enhance my practice and I will have more to offer my patients once I am graduated."

"This is a weekend program which was great so I could stay at my full time job while I was in school. The classes are all day, but I felt I was better able to focus because I did not have to rush to get back to work or to some other commitment. They really prepare you for counseling by having us practice our counseling skills at the Bastyr clinic, then we get a full year at a internship site of our choosing during our second year. The professors are great and it was wonderful to learn about healthy, natural and holistic ways to help our clients!"