Best institutions to study Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences
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 industry operations.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 909 Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2009, a specialization of Pharmacy (CIP 51.20), and leads most directly to the Industrial Production Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3051).
About Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences programs
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 industry operations. Includes instruction in pharmacoeconomics, industrial management, operations management, preformulation evaluation, product formulation/reformulation, drug product development, stability testing, dosage design, pilot scale-up, drug marketing, quality control, drug information, and legal and regulatory affairs.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences program focuses on the application of pharmaceutical sciences within the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals. It prepares students to manage operations in the pharmaceutical industry, making it ideal for those interested in a career that combines health sciences with industrial management. This program is part of the broader field of Health Professions and Related Programs.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in areas such as pharmacoeconomics, quality control, product formulation, and drug marketing. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and a strong foundation in mathematics, equipping graduates to address complex challenges in pharmaceutical production.
Credentials awarded
What Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree844 graduates / yr · 8 institutions93%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate40 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.4%
- Bachelor's degree22 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2016 | 90 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 91 |
| 2019 | 83 |
| 2020 | 79 |
| 2021 | 152 |
| 2022 | 199 |
| 2023 | 407 |
| 2024 | 1,000 |
| 2025 | 909 |
Top 11 institutions for Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences, 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 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 661 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 124 | 75% | — | — |
| 3 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 69 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 4 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 22 | 57% | — | $44,466 |
| 5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 53% | $18,059 | — |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 7 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 76% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 63% | — | — |
| 10 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 62% | $35,358 | $47,882 |
| 11 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Pharmacy field (CIP 51.20) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states & territories
Where Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 664 | Northeastern University Professional Programs661 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 146 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus124 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 69 | Long Island University69 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 12 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus12 / yr |
| California | 2 | 10 | University of Southern California6 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 4 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences4 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 3 | Florida Atlantic University3 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Duquesne University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3051, Industrial Production Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Industrial Production Managers and other related roles. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with an annual opening of approximately 17,100 positions and a median wage of $121,440. A typical entry-level requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2009
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industrial Production Managersprimary SOC 11-3051 | $126,060 | +1.9% Little or no change | ~17,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences 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
- Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
- Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
- Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
- Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
- Hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances.
- Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems.
Tools and technology used
Other Pharmacy specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Pharmacy (CIP 51.20).
- PharmacyCIP 51.200111,406 graduates / yr144 institutions
- Pharmaceutical SciencesCIP 51.20102,563 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationCIP 51.2099909 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Pharmaceutics and Drug DesignCIP 51.2003544 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Clinical and Industrial Drug DevelopmentCIP 51.2006250 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical ChemistryCIP 51.2004188 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory AffairsCIP 51.2002179 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Pharmacoeconomics/CIP 51.2007
Pharmaceutical Economics 150 graduates / yr16 institutions - Natural Products Chemistry and PharmacognosyCIP 51.2005partial data130 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Pharmaceutical Marketing and ManagementCIP 51.2011partial data122 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care PharmacyCIP 51.2008partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 17,100 annual openings.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an Industrial Production Manager or in other related management roles.
What is the CIP code for Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences?+
Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences is CIP 51.2009 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Pharmacy (CIP 51.20). NCES defines it as: 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 industry operations. Includes instruction in pharmacoeconomics, industrial management, operations management, preformulation evaluation, product formulation/reformulation, drug product development, stability testing, dosage design, pilot scale-up, drug marketing, quality control, drug information, and legal and regulatory affairs.
How many institutions offer Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states & territories, awarding 909 credentials in the year. That is 5.2% of all Pharmacy graduates.
How much do Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Industrial Production Managers occupation, which Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $126,060 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Pharmacy field report median earnings of $47,882 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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