by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in curing diseases? Do you want to help develop new drugs and chemicals to help save lives? If the answer is yes, Pharmacology and Toxicology could be the major for you.
This major involves the study of biology and biomedical sciences, as well as pharmacology and toxicology. These two topics work well together as you study drugs in pharmacology and poisons in toxicology. Both topics will focus on the chemical makeup and the interactions and effect these substances have on the body. Medicines need to balance risks and side effects with benefits.
Courses that are associated with pharmacology and toxicology are: biology, chemistry, biopharmacy, organic chemistry, physiology, risk assessment methodologies, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, food toxicology, ecology, and advanced mathematics.
Concentrations within this major include: Molecular Pharmacology, Neuropharmacology, Toxicology, Molecular Toxicology, and Environmental Toxicology among others.
Studying Pharmacology & Toxicology explores Pharmacology And Toxicology. Read on to learn the important information every pharmacology & toxicology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pharmacology & toxicology programs.
Across the country, pharmacology & toxicology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,144 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pharmacology & Toxicology Schools ranking analyzes these 102 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pharmacology & toxicology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pharmacology & toxicology programs later in this article.
Programs in Pharmacology & Toxicology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pharmacology & toxicology graduates commonly enter.
Accuracy and attention to detail is very important in this major. You will be exposed to the mechanics of making a medicine, as well as designing and testing drugs. It is very important to be accurate when testing results and side effects.
Like most biology majors, you will spend a lot of time working and researching in the laboratory. Here you will learn valuable techniques: how to conduct research, analyze your findings and report results. There will be a mixture of group work and independent projects. Work on your time management and communication skills to be able to meet deadlines and write clear and understandable reports.
Skills developed in a pharmacology & toxicology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a pharmacology & toxicology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pharmacology & toxicology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 220 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 540 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 384 |
People currently working in careers related to pharmacology & toxicology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pharmacology & toxicology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
You will be prepared to enter multiple different careers with this degree. Many graduates use their adept research skills to work for government, medical or environmental agencies. Others work for pharmaceutical companies testing products and writing reports. You could also continue your education to become a pharmacist, nurse, physician's assistant or doctor.
Majoring in pharmacology & toxicology opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to pharmacology & toxicology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pharmacology & toxicology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of pharmacology & toxicology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,787 |
| 4 years | $74,178 |
| 5 years | $91,829 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for pharmacology & toxicology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pharmacology & toxicology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
With 102 different pharmacology & toxicology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pharmacology & toxicology school rankings to help you.
Those considering pharmacology & toxicology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 483 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 252 |
| Toxicology | 152 |
| Molecular Pharmacology | 85 |
| Environmental Toxicology | 78 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other | 53 |
| Neuropharmacology | 39 |
| Molecular Toxicology | 2 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 101,585 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 13,820 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 12,819 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 11,175 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,295 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 6,355 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,711 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,612 |
| Biotechnology | 3,869 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 3,638 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
