2027 Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools

[Pharmaceutics and Drug Design](/majors/health-care-professions/pharmacy-pharmaceutical-sciences/pharmaceutics-and-drug-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for pharmaceutics and drug design students.
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Finding the Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design School for You
Where you study pharmaceutics and drug design affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pharmaceutics and drug design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in pharmaceutics and drug design in the United States. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $101,641. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for pharmaceutics and drug design. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $15,775 in student loans. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Set against $15,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmaceutics and drug design, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $16,481. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $109,852 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for pharmaceutics and drug design. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $23,761. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $114,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $102,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for pharmaceutics and drug design. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $21,000. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $96,228 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for pharmaceutics and drug design. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $71,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $100,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #9 spot for pharmaceutics and drug design value this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $47,162. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $94,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #11 for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $20,798. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $95,749 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $94,918. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $23,772. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $87,210. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $106,418. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $19,151 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $115,842. Set against $19,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Toledo landed the #16 spot for pharmaceutics and drug design value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $25,000. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $72,951. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $90,985. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University At Buffalo earned the #18 position for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $22,232. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earned the #19 position for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,360. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $72,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the best values for pharmaceutics and drug design. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $97,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
South Dakota State University placed #21 among the best values for pharmaceutics and drug design. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Pharmaceutics And Drug Design graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #22 position for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $24,463. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $83,848. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #23 position for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmaceutics and drug design graduates is $24,537. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $101,440. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value pharmaceutics and drug design schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Soon after graduation, pharmaceutics and drug design degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $90,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #25 for value in pharmaceutics and drug design this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the pharmaceutics and drug design program here. Early-career pharmaceutics and drug design graduates make about $110,525. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pharmaceutics and drug design this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.