Best institutions to study Pharmacology
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.
53 U.S. institutions graduated 495 Pharmacology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1001, 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 Pharmacology programs
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. Includes instruction in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, drug therapeutics, drug action, bodily responses to drug events, biochemical proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, cell biology, medicinal chemistry, and studies of specific drugs and drug interactions.
See also: 51.2003 - Pharmaceutics and Drug Design., 51.2010 - Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pharmacology program, part of the broader field of Pharmacology and Toxicology, focuses on the scientific study of drug interactions within biological systems. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses of drugs, preparing them for advanced roles in health and science sectors.
Students in the Pharmacology program will gain core knowledge in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and medicinal chemistry. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and essential skills such as speaking, reading comprehension, and writing.
Credentials awarded
What Pharmacology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship212 graduates / yr · 44 institutions43%
- Master's degree211 graduates / yr · 25 institutions43%
- Bachelor's degree62 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Pharmacology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 401 |
| 2013 | 389 |
| 2014 | 475 |
| 2015 | 485 |
| 2016 | 530 |
| 2017 | 471 |
| 2018 | 514 |
| 2019 | 496 |
| 2020 | 502 |
| 2021 | 475 |
| 2022 | 540 |
| 2023 | 553 |
| 2024 | 481 |
| 2025 | 495 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 51 | 83% | — | $39,421 |
| 2 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 41 | 88% | — | — |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 35 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 4 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 23 | 32% | — | $43,870 |
| 5 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 20 | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 93% | — | — |
| 7 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 17 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 8 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 87% | — | — |
| 9 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 10 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 11 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 75% | — | — |
| 12 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 13 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 91% | — | — |
| 14 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 12 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 16 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 68% | — | — |
| 18 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 19 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 20 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 21 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicDoctoral | 8 | 85% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoral | 8 | 90% | — | — |
| 23 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 24 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoral | 7 | 85% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoral | 6 | 46% | — | — |
| 26 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 62% | $35,358 | — |
| 27 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 28 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 29 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 63% | — | — |
| 30 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 31 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 54% | — | $20,063 |
| 32 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 33 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 34 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 35 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 36 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicMaster's | 4 | 79% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 75% | — | — |
| 38 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 39 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoral | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 40 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 41 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicDoctoral | 3 | 64% | — | — |
| 42 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 43 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicMaster's | 2 | 62% | — | — |
| 44 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 45 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral | 1 | 62% | — | — |
| 46 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 83% | $27,353 | — |
| 47 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoral | 1 | 75% | — | $34,468 |
| 48 | Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NYPublicDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
| 49 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 50 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 96% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Pharmacology and Toxicology field (CIP 26.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states & territories
Where Pharmacology graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacology and Toxicology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmacology program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers, Medical Scientists, or Natural Sciences Managers, among others. The job outlook in this field is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1001
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 |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's 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 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).
- Pharmacology and ToxicologyCIP 26.1007234 graduates / yr15 institutions
- ToxicologyCIP 26.1004173 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Molecular PharmacologyCIP 26.100282 graduates / yr13 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 Pharmacology?+
You can earn a Doctor's degree, Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Pharmacology?+
You can work as a Health Specialties Teacher, Medical Scientist, or Natural Sciences Manager.
What is the job outlook for Pharmacology graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3% and about 27,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Pharmacology?+
Pharmacology is CIP 26.1001 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 drug interactions on biological systems and organisms and the sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses of drugs. Includes instruction in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, drug therapeutics, drug action, bodily responses to drug events, biochemical proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, cell biology, medicinal chemistry, and studies of specific drugs and drug interactions.
How many institutions offer Pharmacology programs?+
53 U.S. institutions reported Pharmacology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 495 credentials in the year. That is 43.5% of all Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates.
How much do Pharmacology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Pharmacology most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Pharmacology and Toxicology field report median earnings of $39,421 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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