Best institutions to study Pharmaceutical Sciences
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 administration and sales, biotechnology, drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and related fields.
79 U.S. institutions graduated 2,563 Pharmaceutical Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2010, a specialization of Pharmacy (CIP 51.20), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Pharmaceutical Sciences programs
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 administration and sales, biotechnology, drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and related fields. Includes instruction in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and toxicology, dosage formulation, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulations.
See also: 26.1001 - Pharmacology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pharmaceutical Sciences program, a key component of the Pharmacy field, focuses on the fundamental sciences that underpin drugs and drug therapy. This program prepares students for advanced study and careers in various areas, including pharmaceutical science, research, and biotechnology. It is ideal for those interested in the intersection of health sciences and drug development.
Students in this program gain essential skills in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and pharmacology. Coursework typically includes topics such as dosage formulation, drug manufacturing, and quality assurance, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to succeed in the pharmaceutical industry.
Credentials awarded
What Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,754 graduates / yr · 32 institutions68%
- Master's degree542 graduates / yr · 48 institutions21%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship231 graduates / yr · 33 institutions9.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.6%
Graduates over time
Pharmaceutical Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 510 |
| 2013 | 750 |
| 2014 | 1,078 |
| 2015 | 1,123 |
| 2016 | 1,177 |
| 2017 | 1,087 |
| 2018 | 1,445 |
| 2019 | 1,443 |
| 2020 | 1,609 |
| 2021 | 2,130 |
| 2022 | 1,791 |
| 2023 | 1,782 |
| 2024 | 2,185 |
| 2025 | 2,563 |
Top 50 institutions for Pharmaceutical 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 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 337 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 2 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 164 | 62% | $35,358 | $47,882 |
| 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 121 | 88% | — | $37,369 |
| 4 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 115 | 87% | — | $20,538 |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 105 | 85% | — | — |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 103 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 100 | 68% | $23,207 | $40,169 |
| 8 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 90 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 87 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 10 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 87 | 72% | — | — |
| 11 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 77 | 86% | — | $40,002 |
| 12 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 71 | 57% | — | $44,466 |
| 13 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublicBachelor's | 71 | 40% | — | $115,284 |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 69 | 75% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 57 | 93% | — | — |
| 16 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 57 | 64% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 53 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 53 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 19 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 48 | 75% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 48 | 90% | — | — |
| 21 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 22 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 40 | 67% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 36 | 65% | — | — |
| 24 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 25 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 34 | 90% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 27 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 58% | $23,128 | — |
| 28 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster's | 25 | 77% | — | — |
| 29 | Western New England University Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 64% | $29,327 | — |
| 30 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 89% | — | — |
| 31 | California Northstate University Elk Grove, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 23 | 100% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 22 | 91% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 62% | $31,804 | — |
| 34 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 35 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 34% | $14,140 | — |
| 36 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 16 | 83% | — | $57,096 |
| 37 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 61% | $23,331 | $54,919 |
| 38 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 63% | — | — |
| 39 | University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 41 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 42 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 8 | 46% | — | — |
| 43 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 73% | $22,701 | — |
| 44 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 70% | — | — |
| 45 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 46 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 47 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 7 | 70% | $48,194 | — |
| 48 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 49 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 6 | 62% | — | — |
| 50 | University of New England Biddeford, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 68% | $34,673 | — |
* 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 36 states
Where Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacy programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmaceutical Sciences program can pursue careers as medical scientists or health specialties teachers, among other roles. The job outlook for this field is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is around $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2010
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | 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 Pharmaceutical 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
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
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
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic SciencesCIP 51.2009909 graduates / yr11 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 Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active learning, and various scientific disciplines.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a medical scientist or a health specialties teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7%.
What is the CIP code for Pharmaceutical Sciences?+
Pharmaceutical Sciences is CIP 51.2010 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 basic sciences that underlie drugs and drug therapy and that prepares individuals for further study and/or careers in pharmaceutical science and research, pharmaceutical administration and sales, biotechnology, drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and related fields. Includes instruction in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and toxicology, dosage formulation, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulations.
How many institutions offer Pharmaceutical Sciences programs?+
79 U.S. institutions reported Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 2,563 credentials in the year. That is 14.7% of all Pharmacy graduates.
How much do Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Pharmaceutical Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Pharmacy field report median earnings of $44,466 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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