by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 7 U.S. colleges awarded 130 degrees and certificates in Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy 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 degree in Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy involves the study of Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy. 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 Medicinal Substances. Includes Instruction In Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Medicinals, Pharmacological Therapeutics, Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Biology, Structural Chemistry, Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Economic Botany, Ethnobotany, Bioprospecting, Bioassay, Compound Identification And Isolation, Mass Spectrometry, And Analytical Instrumentation And Techniques. Examples: [Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy (Ms)], [Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy (Phd)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy is a widely-pursued major, with 130 degrees awarded annually. 7 colleges award natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 91.
By level, the 130 awards include 26 bachelor’s degrees, 98 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy degrees and certificates in the latest year (83 of 130). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (71) and Black or African American (29), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees, 1 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy schools within 2 states. In all, 7 colleges offer natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy credential is the master’s degree: 98 of the 130 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, 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.
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How long a natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 26 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 98 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy, at 34.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 34.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, with an average median salary of $78,988; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Correctional Therapy Teacher, Optometry Teacher, Medical Aides Teacher and Medicine Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy 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 natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy is Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, with a median salary of $111,314.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy has 11 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 17,269 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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