by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy involves the study of Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Biologically Active Compounds Found In Naturally Occurring Sources Such As Plants, Animals, And Microbes And Their Use And/or Modification As Medicinal Substances. Includes Instruction In Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Medicinals, Pharmacological Therapeutics, Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Biology, Structural Chemistry, Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Economic Botany, Ethnobotany, Bioprospecting, Bioassay, Compound Identification And Isolation, Mass Spectrometry, And Analytical Instrumentation And Techniques. Examples: [Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy (Ms)], [Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy (Phd)]. Read on to learn the important information every natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy programs.
In the U.S., natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy is a widely-pursued major, with 181 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy programs later in this article.
Studies in Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy 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 | 32 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 146 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 34.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy 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 natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 6 different natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy school rankings to help you.
Those considering natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
