Best institutions to study Molecular Pharmacology
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 and cellular structures and processes.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 82 Molecular Pharmacology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1002, a specialization of Pharmacology and Toxicology (CIP 26.10), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Molecular Pharmacology programs
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 and cellular structures and processes. Includes instruction in molecular biology and biophysics; pharmacology of signal transduction, transmitters, and protein synthesis and release; receptors, protein interaction and binding; drug discovery and recognition; molecular toxicology; drug design; pharmacodynamics; developmental genetics; and studies of therapeutic strategies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Molecular Pharmacology program, a part of the broader Pharmacology and Toxicology field, focuses on the scientific study of drugs at the molecular level. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how drugs interact with biological macromolecules and cellular processes, providing a foundation for careers in research and academia.
Students will gain knowledge in molecular biology, biophysics, pharmacodynamics, drug design, and molecular toxicology. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and skills in research methodologies essential for understanding drug interactions and therapeutic strategies.
Credentials awarded
What Molecular Pharmacology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship48 graduates / yr · 12 institutions59%
- Master's degree34 graduates / yr · 7 institutions42%
Graduates over time
Molecular Pharmacology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 49 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 66 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 69 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 77 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 82 |
Top 13 institutions for Molecular Pharmacology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 76% | — |
| 2 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 11 | 85% | — |
| 3 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | — | — |
| 4 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 5 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | — | — |
| 6 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | — | — |
| 7 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 93% | — |
| 8 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 85% | — |
| 9 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoral | 3 | — | — |
| 10 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral | 2 | 62% | — |
| 11 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoral | 2 | 71% | — |
| 12 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicDoctoral | 2 | 61% | — |
| 13 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 96% | $14,644 |
Offered in 9 states
Where Molecular Pharmacology graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacology and Toxicology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 26 | Stony Brook University19 / yr |
| California | 3 | 24 | University of California - San Francisco10 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 17 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities11 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus4 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 3 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | University of Illinois Chicago2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | University of Kentucky2 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 2 | University of Nevada - Reno2 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 2 | Brown University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Molecular Pharmacology program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers or Medical Scientists, with a job outlook that is much faster than average, projecting a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for these professions is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1002
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Molecular Pharmacology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Pharmacology and Toxicology specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Pharmacology and Toxicology (CIP 26.10).
- PharmacologyCIP 26.1001495 graduates / yr53 institutions
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1007234 graduates / yr15 institutions
- ToxicologyCIP 26.1004173 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Environmental ToxicologyCIP 26.100669 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1099partial data44 graduates / yr4 institutions
- NeuropharmacologyCIP 26.1003partial data38 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Molecular ToxicologyCIP 26.1005limited data3 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn either a Master's degree or a Doctor's degree in Molecular Pharmacology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Health Specialties Teacher or a Medical Scientist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
What is the CIP code for Molecular Pharmacology?+
Molecular Pharmacology is CIP 26.1002 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Pharmacology and Toxicology (CIP 26.10). NCES defines it as: 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 and cellular structures and processes. Includes instruction in molecular biology and biophysics; pharmacology of signal transduction, transmitters, and protein synthesis and release; receptors, protein interaction and binding; drug discovery and recognition; molecular toxicology; drug design; pharmacodynamics; developmental genetics; and studies of therapeutic strategies.
How many institutions offer Molecular Pharmacology programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Molecular Pharmacology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 82 credentials in the year. That is 7.2% of all Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates.
How much do Molecular Pharmacology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Molecular Pharmacology most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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