by our College Data Analytics TeamPharmaceutical Sciences was the 274th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,139 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 524 over the prior year, a growth of 24.5%.
Our 2023 Best Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes 54 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for pharmaceutical sciences students. Explore this or one of our many other custom pharmaceutical sciences rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in pharmaceutical sciences is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic pharmaceutical sciences program qualifications, to serve in some pharmaceutical sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Pharmaceutical Sciences degree levels vary. Pharmaceutical Sciences programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest pharmaceutical sciences degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a pharmaceutical sciences degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to pharmaceutical sciences, with approximately 32.9% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for pharmaceutical sciences workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 33.4% |
| First Professional Degree | 21.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 20.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 11.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 7.3% |
Most workers in pharmaceutical sciences have at least a doctor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in pharmaceutical sciences have received.
This of course varies depending on which pharmaceutical sciences career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your pharmaceutical sciences degree? Pharmaceutical Sciences careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pharmaceutical sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists | 329,900 | 5.6% |
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for pharmaceutical sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for pharmaceutical sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers pharmaceutical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Pharmacists | $123,670 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
With over 118 different pharmaceutical sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased pharmaceutical sciences school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences area of study, Pharmaceutical Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 15,637 |
| Other Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 876 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 503 |
| Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory Affairs | 240 |
| Clinical and Industrial Drug Development | 206 |
