Best institutions to study Pharmacy
Compare 180 U.S. colleges offering Pharmacy by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Pharmacy programs report a median of $48,013 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 51.20 and the Pharmacists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Pharmacy programs
The Pharmacy program, officially titled Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, focuses on the study of medicines and their effects on health. This program is designed for students interested in understanding pharmacology and developing the skills necessary to counsel patients about medication use. It typically requires four years of study and prepares graduates for various roles in the healthcare sector. Students in this program will explore various specializations, including Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmacy Administration. This comprehensive education equips them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of pharmaceutical care and contribute to patient health outcomes effectively.
Core coursework in the Pharmacy program covers essential skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking, alongside knowledge in chemistry, biology, and medicine. Students will also learn to assess medication properties, understand drug interactions, and maintain accurate pharmacy records.
Top 13 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 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $115,284 | 141 | 40% | — | $16,250 |
| 2 | University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,776 | 74 | 48% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,889 | 223 | 79% | $34,418 | — |
| 4 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,096 | 233 | 83% | — | $19,046 |
| 5 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,919 | 105 | 61% | $23,331 | $23,065 |
| 6 | Ohio Northern University Ada, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,444 | 189 | 75% | $23,912 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MA Public · Certificate degree | $48,013 | 21 | 13% | — | — |
| 8 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,882 | 582 | 62% | $35,358 | $27,000 |
| 9 | University of Toledo Toledo, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,466 | 220 | 57% | — | $25,000 |
| 10 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,169 | 229 | 68% | $23,207 | $27,000 |
| 11 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,002 | 77 | 86% | — | $13,470 |
| 12 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,369 | 259 | 88% | — | $20,500 |
| 13 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,538 | 153 | 87% | — | $15,026 |
Offered across 49 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1051, Pharmacists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmacy program can pursue careers as pharmacists, pharmaceutical researchers, or educators. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.6% and approximately 14,200 annual openings. The median wage for pharmacy professionals is $137,480, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Pharmacy
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.20.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.20 (Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration) maps to 14 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2021 | Marketing Managers |
| 11-2022 | Sales Managers |
| 11-3051 | Industrial Production Managers |
| 11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managers |
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-1021 | Biochemists and Biophysicists |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-2031 | Chemists |
| 19-3011 | Economists |
| 25-1052 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1051 | Pharmacistsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Pharmacy 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
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
Concentrations within Pharmacy
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- PharmacyCIP 51.2001
A program that prepares individuals for the independent or employed practice of preparing and dispensing drugs and medications in consultation with prescribing physicians and other health care profess
- Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory AffairsCIP 51.2002
A program that prepares individuals to apply managerial, social, and economic sciences to the study and management of the distribution and use of pharmaceutical products and the provision of pharmacy
- Pharmaceutics and Drug DesignCIP 51.2003
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the formulation of medicinal substances into product vehicles capable of being stored, transported, and then introduced into the patient and behaving
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical ChemistryCIP 51.2004
A program that focuses on the application of chemistry to the study of biologically and clinically active substances, biological and pharmacological interactions, and the development of associated res
- Natural Products Chemistry and PharmacognosyCIP 51.2005
A program that focuses on the scientific study of biologically active compounds found in naturally occurring sources such as plants, animals, and microbes and their use and/or modification as medicina
- Clinical and Industrial Drug DevelopmentCIP 51.2006
A program that focuses on the scientific application of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and industrial management to the development, production, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products
- Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical EconomicsCIP 51.2007
A program that focuses on the application of economics and policy analysis to the study of the relationship of pharmacy services and pharmaceutical processes and products to the health care system and
- Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care PharmacyCIP 51.2008
A program that prepares individuals to deliver specialized pharmacy services and produce pharmaceutical products in clinical settings in conjunction with other health care professionals
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic SciencesCIP 51.2009
A program that focuses on the application of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy to the study of pharmaceuticals production and distribution, and prepares individuals to manage pharmaceutical industr
- Pharmaceutical SciencesCIP 51.2010
A program that focuses on the basic sciences that underlie drugs and drug therapy and that prepares individuals for further study and/or careers in pharmaceutical science and research, pharmaceutical
- Pharmaceutical Marketing and ManagementCIP 51.2011
A program that combines the study of basic and pharmaceutical sciences with marketing and management studies; and that prepares individuals for careers in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, management,
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, OtherCIP 51.2099
Any instructional program in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and administration not listed above.
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a pharmacist?+
You typically need a Doctoral or professional degree in Pharmacy.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What are some career options after graduation?+
You can work as a pharmacist, pursue research, or teach at a university.
What is the job outlook for pharmacy graduates?+
The job outlook is about 4.6% growth with around 14,200 annual openings.
How much do Pharmacy graduates earn?+
Pharmacy graduates report median earnings of $48,013 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Pharmacists occupation pays about $140,920 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Pharmacy?+
Pharmacy maps to CIP 51.20 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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