by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 144 U.S. colleges awarded 11,415 degrees and certificates in Pharmacy. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 97% of graduates. College Factual ranks 137 schools in its 2027 Best Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy explores Pharmacy. A Program That Prepares Individuals For The Independent Or Employed Practice Of Preparing And Dispensing Drugs And Medications In Consultation With Prescribing Physicians And Other Health Care Professionals, And For Managing Pharmacy Practices And Counseling Patients. Includes Instruction In Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacy Administration, Applicable Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Examples: [Pharmacy (Bs, Bpharm - Canada)], [Pharmacy (Pharmd - Usa And Canada)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, pharmacy draws strong interest, with 11,415 degrees awarded annually. 144 colleges award pharmacy degrees, an average of 79 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 297.
By level, the 11,415 awards include 14 associate degrees, 247 bachelor’s degrees, 74 master’s degrees and 11,080 doctorates.
Women earned 68% of pharmacy degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,733 of 11,415). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,178) and Asian (2,576), and international students earned 371.
College Factual ranks 137 schools in its 2027 Best Pharmacy Schools ranking, including 32 for bachelor’s degrees, 19 for master’s degrees and 133 for doctorates. It also ranks pharmacy schools within 48 states. In all, 144 colleges offer pharmacy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pharmacy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common pharmacy credential is the doctorate: 11,080 of the 11,415 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to pharmacy call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Medicine and Dentistry and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a pharmacy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 14 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 247 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 74 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11,080 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to pharmacy, at 41.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 41.7% |
| Master’s degree | 20.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Pharmacy, with an average median salary of $89,969; the strongest outlook belongs to Pharmacists, at 14.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Instructor, Adjunct Instructor, Dental Hygiene Teacher and Serology Teacher.
The occupation related to pharmacy with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Pharmacists | 1,131,161 | 14.2% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
Pharmacy 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 pharmacy is Medical and Health Services Managers, with a median salary of $129,557.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Pharmacists | $93,686 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Pharmacy has 11 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 5,984 degrees a year; the largest are Pharmaceutical Sciences (2,572), Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, Other (911) and Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences (909). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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