Best colleges for Pharmacology and Toxicology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Pharmacology and Toxicology by graduate earnings are CUNY York College ($43,870), University of California-Santa Barbara ($39,421) and University of California-Davis ($39,202), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- CUNY York College (Jamaica, NY): $43,870, 23 graduates a year
- University of California-Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA): $39,421, 51 graduates a year
- University of California-Davis (Davis, CA): $39,202, 24 graduates a year
- University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY): $34,468, 20 graduates a year
Compare 100 U.S. colleges offering Pharmacology and Toxicology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 37 states.
Pharmacology and Toxicology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,202 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 26.10 and the Occupational Health and Safety Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Pharmacology and Toxicology programs
The Pharmacology and Toxicology program focuses on the scientific study of the effects of chemical substances on living organisms. This field combines elements of biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, making it ideal for students interested in understanding how toxins affect health and the environment. Students will explore the relationship between dose and effect, as well as factors influencing chemical toxicity.
In this program, students will acquire essential skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics such as pharmacology, molecular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and various aspects of toxicology, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of both the beneficial and harmful effects of chemicals.
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,870 | 23 | 32% | — | — |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,421 | 51 | 83% | — | $14,500 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,202 | 24 | 86% | — | $11,811 |
| 4 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,468 | 20 | 75% | — | $23,503 |
| 5 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,063 | 18 | 54% | — | $21,500 |
Specializations within Pharmacology and Toxicology
8 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- PharmacologyCIP 26.1001495 graduates / yr53 institutions29 states
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1007234 graduates / yr15 institutions11 states
- ToxicologyCIP 26.1004173 graduates / yr28 institutions20 states
- Molecular PharmacologyCIP 26.100282 graduates / yr13 institutions9 states
- Environmental ToxicologyCIP 26.100669 graduates / yr12 institutions9 states
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1099partial data44 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- NeuropharmacologyCIP 26.1003partial data38 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- Molecular ToxicologyCIP 26.1005limited data3 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 37 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 15 | $43,870 | CUNY York College |
| California | 9 | $39,421 | University of California-Santa Barbara |
| Louisiana | 5 | $20,063 | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 3 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Ohio | 6 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texas | 5 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-5011, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmacology and Toxicology program can pursue careers in various sectors, with a job outlook that is much faster than average, featuring an expected growth rate of 12.5%. With approximately 14,900 annual openings and a median wage of $83,910, a bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Pharmacology and Toxicology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.10 (Pharmacology and Toxicology) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 17-3025 | Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-2041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health |
| 19-4042 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health |
| 19-5011 | Occupational Health and Safety Specialistsprimary |
| 19-5012 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Pharmacology and Toxicology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
Common questions
What is pharmacology?+
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with biological systems.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in research, healthcare, environmental agencies, and regulatory bodies.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 12.5%.
How much do Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates earn?+
Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,202, College Scorecard (2019); the Occupational Health and Safety Specialists occupation pays about $93,860 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Pharmacology and Toxicology?+
Pharmacology and Toxicology maps to CIP 26.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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