by our College Data Analytics TeamPharmacists know everything about medication from how it works to dangerous interactions between prescriptions. If you would like to prepare medications and counsel patients on the proper use of certain drugs, consider majoring in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Pharmacists oversee pharmacies, work with patients, keep records of pervious prescriptions, and inform people about potential side effects of medications. If you decide to major in this area of study, you will take classes in chemistry, math, biology, anatomy and physiology, and medical ethics to learn the scientific background of medications and the reactions they cause within the body.
Along with the option to major in general Pharmacy, students are also able to concentrate in certain areas such as Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Pharmaceutics and Drug Design, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Clinical and Industrial Drug Development, Pharmaceutical Economics, Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, and many others.
Studying Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences explores Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration. Read on to learn the essential details every pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences programs.
Across the country, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences is a popular field of study, with 18,055 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 180 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates commonly enter.
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences students should have strong analytical skills and pay close attention to detail. As a professional, they will be responsible for checking patients' history to ensure they are not taking other medications that may be dangerous to mix with new ones. They must also fill prescriptions accurately and keep them organized so they go to the right person. Since you will counsel people picking up prescriptions, it is important to have strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to relay understandable information.
Most graduates in this field work fulltime in pharmacies, drug stores, hospitals, and grocery stores, but a percentage of pharmacists are part time. Pharmacies are usually open during normal business hours, but some Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences professionals may work on weekends or at night to ensure people can get medication whenever necessary. Other graduates pursue careers in medical labs researching new and more effective drugs.
While some areas in this field only require a bachelor's degree, students who are interested in becoming pharmacists must receive their Doctor of Pharmacy degree. It typically takes 4 years to finish a doctoral program. Along with an advanced degree, graduates must also be licensed in the state they plan on working in.
Skills developed in a pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 30 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,572 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,062 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12,391 |
People currently working in careers related to pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 24.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates typically work in pharmacies located in drug stores, hospitals, and grocery stores. However, some people work in medical labs creating new drugs to fight diseases.
Studying pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Pharmacists | 1,131,161 | 14.2% |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geothermal Production Managers | 503,620 | 1.9% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | 450,707 | 4.2% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $100,486 |
| 4 years | $129,383 |
| 5 years | $140,029 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Biofuels Production Managers | $164,096 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | $146,025 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
With 180 different pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
