by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 188 degrees and certificates in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $100,478 one year after completing, rising to $136,209 after four years.
A major in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry involves the study of Medicinal And Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 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 Research Methods, Techniques, And Clinical Trial Procedures. Includes Instruction In Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Graphics, Rational Drug Design, Toxicology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Enzyme Mechanisms, Receptor Theory, Neurochemistry, Drug Metabolism, Drug Synthesis, Biological Mechanisms Of Drug Action, Research Tools And Techniques, And Laboratory Safety. Examples: [Medicinal And Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Ms)], [Medicinal And Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Phd)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry is a widely-pursued major, with 188 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 24.
By level, the 188 awards include 21 bachelor’s degrees, 79 master’s degrees and 88 doctorates.
Women earned 61% of medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry degrees and certificates in the latest year (115 of 188). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (60) and Asian (24), and international students earned 78.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees, 2 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry schools within 4 states. In all, 29 colleges offer medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry credential is the doctorate: 88 of the 188 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 79 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 88 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, at 33.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, with an average median salary of $71,816; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Professor, University Faculty Member, Lecturer and Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry graduates earn a median $100,478 one year after completing their program, $136,209 after four years and $140,038 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $100,478 |
| 4 years | $136,209 |
| 5 years | $140,038 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry is Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, with a median salary of $111,314.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry has 11 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 17,211 degrees a year; the largest are Pharmacy (11,415), Pharmaceutical Sciences (2,572) and Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, Other (911). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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