Best colleges for Pharmacy
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Pharmacy by graduate earnings are Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($115,284), University of Hawaii at Hilo ($63,776) and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia ($57,889), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Weatherford, OK): $115,284, 141 graduates a year
- University of Hawaii at Hilo (Hilo, HI): $63,776, 74 graduates a year
- Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA): $57,889, 223 graduates a year
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN): $57,096, 233 graduates a year
- Campbell University (Buies Creek, NC): $54,919, 105 graduates a year
Compare 180 U.S. colleges offering Pharmacy by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Pharmacy programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,013 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 12 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | 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 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 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,882 | 582 | 62% | $35,358 | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Toledo Toledo, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,466 | 220 | 57% | — | $25,000 |
| 9 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,169 | 229 | 68% | $23,207 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,002 | 77 | 86% | — | $13,470 |
| 11 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,369 | 259 | 88% | — | $20,500 |
| 12 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,538 | 153 | 87% | — | $15,026 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MA Public · Certificate | $48,013 | 21 | 13% | — | — |
Specializations within Pharmacy
12 of the 12 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.20 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- PharmacyCIP 51.200111,406 graduates / yr144 institutions48 states
- Pharmaceutical SciencesCIP 51.20102,563 graduates / yr79 institutions36 states
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic SciencesCIP 51.2009909 graduates / yr11 institutions8 states
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationCIP 51.2099909 graduates / yr21 institutions14 states
- Pharmaceutics and Drug DesignCIP 51.2003544 graduates / yr35 institutions28 states
- Clinical and Industrial Drug DevelopmentCIP 51.2006250 graduates / yr13 institutions11 states
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical ChemistryCIP 51.2004188 graduates / yr29 institutions19 states
- Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory AffairsCIP 51.2002179 graduates / yr11 institutions8 states
- Pharmacoeconomics/CIP 51.2007
Pharmaceutical Economics 150 graduates / yr16 institutions14 states - Natural Products Chemistry and PharmacognosyCIP 51.2005partial data130 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states
- Pharmaceutical Marketing and ManagementCIP 51.2011partial data122 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states
- Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care PharmacyCIP 51.2008partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,013, College Scorecard (2019); 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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