Best institutions to study Pharmacology and Toxicology
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 a median of $39,202 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 | $20,063 | 18 | 54% | — | $21,500 |
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.
Concentrations within Pharmacology and Toxicology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- PharmacologyCIP 26.1001
A program that focuses on the scientific study of drug interactions on biological systems and organisms and the sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses of drugs
- Molecular PharmacologyCIP 26.1002
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of drugs at the molecular level and their interaction with, and effects on, biological macromolecules
- NeuropharmacologyCIP 26.1003
A program that focuses on the scientific study of drugs that modify the function of the brain and central nervous system, the effects of such drugs on health, disease, perception, motor action, and be
- ToxicologyCIP 26.1004
A program that focuses on the scientific study of poisons and other biohazards; their interactions with organisms and their food and respiratory systems; and their prevention, management, and countera
- Molecular ToxicologyCIP 26.1005
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic determinants of susceptibility to external pollutants and poisons; the interaction of toxic agents with biological systems at the molecula
- Environmental ToxicologyCIP 26.1006
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the health effects associated with exposure to toxic chemicals and systems occurring in the natural, work, and living environments; the management of
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1007
A program with an integrated, combined approach to the study of pharmacological and toxicological issues in biology and the biomedical sciences
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, OtherCIP 26.1099
Any instructional program in pharmacology and toxicology not listed above.
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 of $39,202 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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