Best institutions to study Pharmacology and Toxicology
A program with an integrated, combined approach to the study of pharmacological and toxicological issues in biology and the biomedical sciences.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 234 Pharmacology and Toxicology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1007, 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 and Toxicology programs
A program with an integrated, combined approach to the study of pharmacological and toxicological issues in biology and the biomedical sciences. Includes instruction in topics such as solvents, xenobiotic metabolism, chemical toxicity, neurotoxicology, immunopharmacology, biotransformation, tissue culture and in vitro studies, biomolecular analysis, bioactivation and inactivation, enzyme regulation, chemoprevention and chemotherapy, industrial and chemical studies, radiation health, and bioinformatics.
See also: 26.1001 - Pharmacology., 26.1004 - Toxicology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pharmacology and Toxicology program offers an integrated approach to studying pharmacological and toxicological issues within the biological and biomedical sciences. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the effects of chemicals on biological systems, including the study of solvents, chemical toxicity, and neurotoxicology. It is ideal for those pursuing careers in health sciences, research, or academia.
Students in this program will gain core knowledge in areas such as biotransformation, enzyme regulation, and biomolecular analysis. Coursework typically includes instruction in immunopharmacology, tissue culture, and bioinformatics, equipping graduates with essential skills for research and professional practice in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree153 graduates / yr · 11 institutions65%
- Bachelor's degree50 graduates / yr · 5 institutions21%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship31 graduates / yr · 9 institutions13%
Graduates over time
Pharmacology and Toxicology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 193 |
| 2013 | 172 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 207 |
| 2016 | 250 |
| 2017 | 212 |
| 2018 | 225 |
| 2019 | 227 |
| 2020 | 226 |
| 2021 | 193 |
| 2022 | 176 |
| 2023 | 232 |
| 2024 | 243 |
| 2025 | 234 |
Top 15 institutions for Pharmacology and Toxicology, 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 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicMaster's | 53 | 42% | — | — |
| 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 81% | — | — |
| 3 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 4 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 19 | 75% | — | $34,468 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 17 | 68% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 17 | 90% | — | — |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 86% | — | $39,202 |
| 8 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 79% | $34,418 | — |
| 9 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 87% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 11 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 62% | $35,358 | — |
| 13 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 61% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 15 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
* 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 11 states
Where Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacology and Toxicology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 1 | 53 | Wright State University - Main Campus53 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 49 | Long Island University30 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 41 | Michigan State University41 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 20 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion17 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 19 | University of Wisconsin - Madison17 / yr |
| California | 2 | 18 | University of California - Davis11 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 11 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia11 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 7 | University of Kansas7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston7 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 5 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences5 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 4 | University of Louisville4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmacology and Toxicology program can pursue careers as health specialties teachers or medical scientists. The job outlook for related occupations is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is around $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1007
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 Pharmacology and Toxicology 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
- 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 this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a health specialties teacher or a medical scientist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
What is the CIP code for Pharmacology and Toxicology?+
Pharmacology and Toxicology is CIP 26.1007 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 with an integrated, combined approach to the study of pharmacological and toxicological issues in biology and the biomedical sciences. Includes instruction in topics such as solvents, xenobiotic metabolism, chemical toxicity, neurotoxicology, immunopharmacology, biotransformation, tissue culture and in vitro studies, biomolecular analysis, bioactivation and inactivation, enzyme regulation, chemoprevention and chemotherapy, industrial and chemical studies, radiation health, and bioinformatics.
How many institutions offer Pharmacology and Toxicology programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 234 credentials in the year. That is 20.6% of all Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates.
How much do Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 $39,202 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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