Best Value: Lowest Cost ACPE-Accredited PharmD Programs by Region for 2024


Even within the juggernaut of the American healthcare industry, pharmaceuticals are a major force. Inside the U.S., pharmaceutical sales amount to around $333 billion annually. The industry employs more than 810,000 and leads the world in research and development expenditures. There’s no question, it’s one of the most critical and competitive sectors in the American economy.

That all adds up to an industry that is constantly hungry for new hires, and one where those new hires had better have a solid and up-to-date education in the latest knowledge and techniques.

That’s where the Doctor of Pharmacy degree comes in. With a PharmD hanging on your wall, you can find high-paying, interesting, fulfilling positions in research, manufacturing, clinical practice, or teaching, among other specialties.

You likely already have a few criteria in mind as you consider what schools you’re going to apply to, and we think we know what a some of them are: you want a good education, at a reasonable price, and you probably don’t want to travel a long way to get it.

Which is why we put together this list of the best value ACPE-accredited PharmD programs in the country—both public and private—for each region. You can find the education you need at the price you can afford while staying in the area you plan to live and practice in.

ACPE Accreditation Is The Only Route To Professional Pharmacy Practice

Why do we only include ACPE-accredited programs? For starters, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is recognized by the U.S. Department of Educationand the Council for Higher Education Accreditationas being the go-to specialty accreditation agency for pharmaceutical programs. It offers an impartial, professional judgment of the quality of pharmacy programs that cuts through the marketing jargon and offers honest evaluations that students and their future employers can rely on.

Most importantly, an ACPE-accredited doctor of pharmacy is the only degree accepted by the NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) as meeting the qualifications to sit for the NAPLEX– the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam. Without a license, your options are pretty limited, so accreditation is a key feature to look for.

That’s because ACPE holds schools to the highest standards required to hold a position of authority in any pharmacy… standards that have been determined by the industry itself for evaluating new graduates and prospective hires. ACPE accreditation means that you are receiving the same foundational knowledge as every other PharmD graduate in the country. It ensures that you are being taught that knowledge by faculty with the right credentials for the job, in classrooms and labs that are suitable for the purpose, and with the interprofessional elements you will need to interact with other healthcare professionals out in the real world.

ACPE-accreditation isn’t a one and done deal, either: part of becoming accredited is planning to exceed those standards through a system of constant improvement. And ACPE holds schools accountable, returning after two years to take another look to ensure that they have been following the plans in place and keeping their commitments.

That’s where the quality aspect of value comes in, and it’s why you will only see ACPE-accredited schools on this list.

After Accreditation Comes Our Value Assessment

For our selection criteria, we started with the average cost of PharmD programs within each region of the U.S. to establish our value measure. Only programs in each region that come in below the average ultimately made the cut. And we didn’t include all those programs, just the handful in each region with the absolute lowest tuition rates.

So that we’re only comparing like-to-like, we found the average cost for public and private universities separately. They have different financing and operating paradigms, and can offer tuition rates that differ considerably, especially when resident discounts are taken into account. Resident rates offered at state schools can be hard for a private institution to beat, but non-residents and international students often find the opposite is true since private schools often represent the lower cost option for them.

You’ll find both categories in this list, and we give you the lowest cost option of each.

You Can’t Choose a Program on the Basis of Price Alone

Accreditation, as important as it may be, is only a baseline. ACPE itself declares that not all accredited programs are equal, nor should they be: there are different ways to teach the same subjects, and different ways schools really should be working to exceed the baseline standards.

So we looked at all those ways in which an inexpensive program might still exceed the baseline for career preparation and student experience, and included that information here to help you in making a fully informed decision, not one based on price alone.

We include information on objective elements such as:

  • NAPLEX average pass rates
  • Overall and on-time graduation rates
  • Faculty to student ratios
  • Research funding
  • Faculty qualifications

We went even further than that looking into those little extras that may be a make or break deal for some applicants, no matter what the tuition rate might be. We looked at things like residency options and opportunities for gaining experience overseas; we note exceptional curriculum designs or unusual approaches to teaching to fit different learning styles. Does the school offer postings with a unique focus that could help you specialize in a field like pediatrics? You’ll learn about it here. Is it important to you to have faculty who have earned a doctorate in the field? We let you know when that’s the case.

We also give you important qualifying information like entrance exam and prerequisite credit requirements, and we tell you how long the program lasts and how many credits you’ll have to earn to graduate.

The Best Priced ACPE-Accredited PharmD Programs by Region

Everything you need to know to make the right choice is listed here for you in black and white, and since we’ve done our homework on the quality and cost of each of these programs, you can rest assured that they all provide a solid value for your money.

Here’s a key showing the public/private average total program cost and average cost-per-credit for PharmD programs in each region:

  • West:
    • Average public school cost $98,298 / $614 per credit
    • Average private school cost $192,250 / $1,200 per credit
  • South:
    • Average public school cost $86,317 / $577 per credit
    • Average private school cost $141,223 / $923 per credit
  • Midwest:
    • Average public school cost $97,745 / $685 per credit
    • Average private school cost $159,595 / $1,042 per credit
  • Northeast:
    • Average public school cost $104,087/ $743 per credit
    • Average private school cost $162,900 / $1,122 per credit


Western Region

Average public school cost $98,298 / $614 per credit

Average private school cost $192,250 / $1,200 per credit

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Pocatello, Idaho
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $283 (in-state), $563 (out-of-state)

($331 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $42,164 (in-state), $83,840 (out-of-state)

($56,134 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • College of Pharmacy celebrating a century of excellence
  • 98 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Winner of two awards from the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)
  • Annual recruiting fair in Meridian that brings in over a dozen employers
  • Opportunity to complete your active rotation at 275 sites across 11 states
  • You can choose to study in Pocatello, Meridian, or Anchorage, Alaska
  • Opportunity to gain legislative lobbying experience
  • Option for early decision admission
  • 47 credits of prerequisites
  • 149-credit, seven-semester program

With a reputation developed over the past 100 years, you’ll be in experienced hands as a student of the PharmD program at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy. In fact, the College of Pharmacy is only 30 years younger than the State of Idaho itself, carrying forward a long legacy of excellence that continues today. The faculty here are simply amazing, recently recognized for developing a new tool to assess the effectiveness of inter-professional education and training, something that’s getting a lot of attention as the team-based care model is widely embraced. With deep connections to the professional community creating fieldwork opportunities at nearly 300 sites across 11 states, opportunities to participate in legislative events, high NAPLEX pass rates and program completion rates, and a price that rings in at more than $60k below the average cost of similar programs in the region, it’s no wonder the Idaho State University PharmD is winning awards.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA (PU)
Scaggs School of Pharmacy
Missoula, Montana
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $367 (in-state), $888 (out-of-state)

($247 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $49,904 (in-state), $120,760 (out-of-state)

($48,394 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 85 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 94 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Educating students to be accomplished qualified pharmacists for over 100 years
  • Opportunity to learn abroad as part of the school’s Interprofessional Global Health Education program
  • High school graduates can be accepted directly into the pre-pharm program
  • 64 credits of prerequisites
  • 136-credit, four-year program

The University of Montana Scaggs School of Pharmacy has been preparing professional pharmacists for over 100 years, nearly as long as the state of Montana has been in existence. It’s the best of  both worlds here: A legacy of excellence dating back to the early part of the 20thcentury, and a program that continues to innovate well into the 21stcentury by offering the most contemporary curriculum, flexible options and opportunities to study abroad. You can complete your pre-pharmacy prerequisites at UMT or apply directly to the PharmD program as a transfer student. If you make it into the program, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the Interprofessional Global Health Education program and study abroad in a place like Tanzania. It’s no wonder the program receives so many applicants, last year considering 146 prospective students to fill just 66 seats.

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Laramie, Wyoming
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $428 (in-state), $905 (out-of-state)

($186 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $62,424 (in-state), $132,192 (out-of-state)

($35,874 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 92 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 100 percent job placement rate
  • More than 86 percent of your faculty hold doctoral degrees
  • Option for a dual MBA degree
  • Pre-pharmacy program is open to freshmen, while transfer students can apply directly to the professional phase
  • Practice sites located throughout Wyoming and Colorado
  • 67 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

The University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy has a reputation that precedes it. Of the approximately 260 students that apply to the PharmD program each year, only about 20 percent make the final cut. Every year the school reinforces its reputation with another graduating cohort of well-prepared pharmacists who go on to distinguished careers, a tradition of excellence dating back to 1946 when the School of Pharmacy was founded. A review of this program wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the faculty of distinguished professionals recognized nationally for achievements and contributions to the field. More than 86 percent hold terminal degrees, and play a big part in the commendable statistics coming out of the program: 100 percent job placement rate, and first-time NAPLEX pass rates that consistently come in above 95 percent.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO (PU)
Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $585 (in-state), $1,190 (out-of-state)

($29 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $81,320 (in-state), $165,472 (out-of-state)

($16,978 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 76 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • The College of Pharmacy ranked 13th among schools for receiving NIH funding
  • 96 percent three-year average graduation rate
  • Last year students at the College of Pharmacy received $217,000 in total scholarships and awards
  • The College of Pharmacy is nationally recognized by the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)
  • Six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio
  • One of only a small number of pharmacy schools to be located in an academic medical center
  • Dual degree options: PharmD/MBA; PharmD/MS
  • One of the few colleges in the nation to simultaneously allow you to work toward a certification in nuclear pharmacy while completing your PharmD
  • More than a dozen student organizations representing different areas of pharmacy practice
  • 91 credits of prerequisites, including some that can be completed the summer prior to fall enrollment
  • 139-credit, eight-semester program

The UNM College of Pharmacy PharmD would easily be counted among the best programs of its kind even if it wasn’t also one of the lowest cost options in the Western U.S. Naturally, this commitment to excellence is reflected in the student body, who themselves have been recognized with awards from Merck and Company, the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. A low student-to-faculty ratio means students here get an unmatched level of individual attention and develop strong working relationships with both peers and professors. With research projects funded by grants from major companies and organizations like the National Institutes of Health, and a program that will have you learning and working on-site at the UNM academic medical center, as a PharmD student here you’ll be honing your skills in the heart of it all. This is by far one of the best PharmD programs in the region, a fact that’s made even more impressive by its affordable tuition rate.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Spokane, Washington
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $674 (in-state), $1,171 (out-of-state)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $90,288 (in-state), $156,904 (out-of-state)

($8,010 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 84 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 95 percent six-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Four-year average research funding above $6 million annually
  • $347,150 in PharmD scholarships awarded last year
  • 607 preceptors to choose from at locations throughout the state
  • Award-winning faculty who average 2.24 professional publications per person
  • Option for dual degrees with a PhD or MBA
  • Complete the program in Spokane or Yakima
  • 59 credits of prerequisites
  • 134-credit, four-year program

The Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has been around nearly as long as the State of Washington itself. That’s more than a century of experience that students can draw upon when mastering the science of pharmaceutics and the age-old tradition of compounding and dispensing medications. The WSU PharmD is already one of the lowest cost options in the Western U.S., but as a student here you’ll also have access to 105 different scholarship and endowment funds, as well as travel grants to fund the dissemination of your research throughout the world. The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences serves as a regional hub for learning, research and professional networking in the pharmaceutical sciences, and in any given year is home to 270 faculty members and some 650 PharmD students. While the student-to-faculty ratio is low – at just five students for every two professors – the instruction here is of the highest quality thanks to faculty members who continue to make important contributions to the field. In 2018 alone, WSU faculty penned some 130 professional publications.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI’I AT HILO (PU)
Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
Hilo, Hawaii
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $691 (in-state), $1,183 (out-of-state)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $95,424 (in-state), $163,200 (out-of-state)

($2,874 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 79 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Option to add certificates in health science research, healthcare leadership, or rural health
  • Most faculty members hold a doctoral degree
  • 66 credits of prerequisites
  • 138-credit, four-year program

In academic circles, and certainly within the pharmaceutics professional community, the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) is considered the crown jewel of the University of Hawai’i system. As a graduate of the PharmD program here you’ll be carrying on the tradition of Senator Inouye, entering the profession poised to make a real contribution to providing for the healthcare needs of underserved communities. In addition to the comprehensive PharmD core, you’ll be able to tailor your education to fit your career goals with additional certificates in healthcare leadership, rural health, or health science research. You’ll accomplish it all under the guidance of world-class doctorate-prepared faculty who are committed to seeing you succeed.

PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Forest Grove, Oregon
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $843

($356 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $140,001

($52,249 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 86 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 87 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Opportunity to complete some of your professional rotation experiences abroad
  • Dual degree options: PharmD/MS; PharmD/MHA
  • Efficient block-design curriculum allows for graduation within three years
  • 11 student organizations specific to the pharmacy profession
  • 40 residency opportunities
  • 62 credits of prerequisites
  • 166-credit, three-year program

The PharmD program at the Pacific University School of Pharmacy is efficient in the way it delivers curriculum, and global in it’s scope and perspective. While most PharmD programs take four years to complete after prereqs, the Pacific U Doctor of Pharmacy program is so efficient and well-organized that you can have your PharmD in hand in only three. There aren’t many PharmD programs that give you the option to complete some of your professional field rotations overseas, but this one does. In addition to opportunities to host and interact with foreign pharmacy students who are completing their rotations in affiliation with Pacific University, you have the opportunity to complete yours in places like Belize and Japan. You can even choose the international rotation site yourself, giving you a chance to travel and learn in a culture close to your heart. The faculty here are well connected, working with industry stakeholders, professional organizations, and policymakers to address the most pressing issues of the day – from state and national legislative issues to funding opportunities with private companies.

REGIS UNIVERSITY (PR)
Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, School of Pharmacy
Denver, Colorado
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,095

($105 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $164,250

($28,000 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX; this year the pass rate was 100 percent
  • 80 percent on-time graduation rate
  • 95 percent of graduates work in the field, continue their education, or both; 89 percent have a job within six months of graduation
  • 100 percent of faculty have their doctoral degree
  • Small class sizes
  • Team-based hands-on learning from day one
  • 72 credits of prerequisites
  • 150-credit, nine-semester program

The PharmD program at the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions School of Pharmacy is nationally recognized for its integrated curriculum, combining team-based learning with real-life hands-on applications in small class sizes. This makes the PharmD program a particular point of pride at Regis University. Science and clinical content is integrated in an environment that brings out the best in every student, allowing each individual’s strengths to shine within the framework of a team. The highly qualified faculty, all of whom have their doctoral degrees, are instrumental in fostering this unique learning environment. They are behind the impressive numbers coming out of this program, like this year’s 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX. Faculty play an important role in helping you graduate on time and ensuring you’re ready to ace the exam and transition confidently into professional practice. It’s these same professors that are responsible for the one of a kind student experience at Regis. No class is typical. For example, the content in your biology class is integrated into a discussion about drug therapy and patient treatment. We salute the PharmD program at Regis University for standing out from all the rest.

TOURO UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Vallejo, California
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,221

($22 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $183,200

($9,050 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Unique program arrangement that gives you two years of practical experience
  • Exceptional faculty who are highly experienced and supportive
  • Choose from a variety of opportunities for student engagement on campus and in the local community
  • 90 semester credits of prerequisites
  • 150-credit, four-year program

The Touro University PharmD program is the only accredited program of its kind in the nation structured to include two years of didactic education followed by two years of practical experience. The 2+2 model offers an innovate approach that stands in contrast to the conventional 3+1 model, giving you even more opportunity for hands-on experiential learning. It’s all in the way Touro efficiently organizes the didactic segment that allows students twice as much time in the field to develop practical skills. This provides a huge leg up when it comes time to hit the ground running after graduation. Located on historic Mare Island near San Francisco, you’ll find the Touro PharmD program to be situated in an ideal learning environment.

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Loma Linda, California
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,031

($168 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $183,600

($8,650 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 89 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Great residency opportunities thanks to partnerships with nearby Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • 94 percent average three-year retention rate
  • 88 percent three-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Opportunity to study abroad
  • Learn in a Seventh-day Adventist faith-based environment
  • 10 residency programs to choose from when it comes time for your clinical rotations
  • 44 quarter credits of prerequisites
  • 178 quarter credit, four-year program

With a deep network of partners for the best field placement opportunities, international mission trips where you can gain a unique perspective on pharmacy in practice at locations around the world, and an amazingly supportive faculty, the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy has it all. The efficacy of the program is reflected in the high retention rates, on-time graduation, and NAPLEX pass rates among Loma Linda graduates. When it comes to your clinical rotations this program offers outstanding options. You can select from 10 different postings that each offer a unique focus, ranging from cardiology and pediatrics to oncology and infectious diseases. Tailored options like these are made possible because of the school’s close proximity and relationship with the Loma Linda University Medical Center, home to some of the largest clinical programs in the nation, caring for more than 33,000 inpatients and nearly 500,000 outpatients annually.

CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Orange, California
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,310

($110 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $186,000

($6,250 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • Highly distinguished faculty including the former president of the American Pharmacists Association
  • 96 percent of faculty have their doctoral degrees
  • Option for a 2+3 route (two years of prereqs and three years in the professional PharmD program) for high school graduates
  • 62 credits of prerequisites
  • 142-credit, three-year program

The Chapman University School of Pharmacy is the first of its kind in Orange County. Since its inception in 2014 Chapman has invested more than $60 million into its School of Pharmacy. Unlike most other PharmD programs in the nation, you can complete this one in just three years over eight back-to-back trimesters, thanks to the extremely well-organized curriculum, expert faculty, and an admissions process that ensures only the best and brightest are admitted. The tenets of professionalism and expertise start at the top with faculty and administration, and filter through to each and every graduate. Ninety-six percent of the faculty in this program hold doctorates, while the School of Pharmacy dean formerly served as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) president and was named among the 50 most influential pharmacists in the nation.

KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE (PR)
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Claremont, California
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,162

($38 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $187,600

($4,650 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • At least three-quarters of faculty members hold doctorates
  • Students choose one of four specialized certificates: healthcare operations management, clinical trials and regulatory affairs, medication therapy outcomes, and health information technology
  • Over 300 experience rotation sites
  • Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in any subject
  • Program only open to US citizens and permanent residents
  • 57 credits of prerequisites
  • 5-credit, four-year program

As a student of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Keck Graduate Institute School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, you’ll appreciate the unique options you have to custom tailor your education and training. It all starts by selecting a specialty certificate in healthcare operations management, clinical trials and regulatory affairs, medication therapy outcomes, or health information technology, whichever option best aligns with your interests and goals. We respect a program that puts students in the driver’s seat and we think you will too. When it comes time to complete your pharmacy practice experience rotations you’ll have access to more than 300 sites, furthering your ability to fine-tune the focus of your education.

WEST COAST UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Los Angeles, California
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,321

($121 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $190,224

($2,026 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 100 percent of your professors have their doctoral degree
  • Your faculty are well connected to the publishing and professional academic world
  • New program means high levels of enthusiasm and drive to succeed
  • 63 credits of prerequisites
  • 144-credit, four-year program

You get the best of all worlds in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the West Coast University School of Pharmacy. You’ll find all the innovation and contemporary curriculum and thinking you’d expect to see from a new program established in 2014, while being ballasted by experienced professors hailing from diverse professional backgrounds and grounded in the rich tradition of pharmacy. The level of expertise and potential for networking offered by your professors is nothing short of amazing. There are 27 core faculty professors that support this program, and all of them hold terminal degrees. They have 116 publications between them, along with dozens and dozens of credits for abstracts and presentations. You can be sure professors here are connected, and make significant contributions to the field.

MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY GLENDALE (PR)
College of Pharmacy-Glendale
Glendale, Arizona
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $939

($261 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $190,559

($1,691 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the West)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 81 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Highly published and award-winning faculty, 97 percent of whom hold doctorates
  • Efficient curriculum allows you to graduate relatively early
  • 62 credits of prerequisites
  • 203 quarter-credit, three-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale is a year-round full-time program with a well-organized schedule that lets you graduate in as little as three years – a full year sooner than you would in most other PharmD programs. The program is efficient in the way it delivers course content and uncompromising when it comes to creating an exceptional student experience, with most of the credit going to the world-class faculty here. More than 97 percent of instructors here hold terminal degrees and together have dozens of publications to their credit, in addition to being recipients of many grants and awards, including such impressive distinctions as Pharmacist of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Mentor of the Year. Their varied areas of expertise ensure you’ll find a mentor with experience in your exact area of interest. As members of professional organizations like the AACP, APhA, AAPS, and the Arizona Pharmacy Association, you can be sure they’ll help you plug in to every networking opportunity available so you can hit the ground running as soon as you graduate.

Southern Region

Average public school cost $86,317 / $577 per credit

Average private school cost $142,422 / $922 per credit

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Houston, Texas
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $231 (in-state), $397 (out-of-state)

($347 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $33,663 (in-state), $57,935 (out-of-state)

($52,653 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 82 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 85 percent two-year average on-time graduation rate
  • One of the nation’s largest HBCUs
  • Residency placement options at over a dozen sites including out-of-state options
  • 80 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

Pharmacy is one of the most popular programs at Texas Southern University, ranked as the sixth-favorite major and the third most-sought-after degree. As a student of the TSU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, you’ll be part of a tradition of excellence at one of the nation’s largest historically black universities at home on a beautiful 150-acre campus centrally located in Houston. This prime location means you’ll have access to residency placement options with some of the biggest and most respected healthcare providers in the nation, including Houston Methodist Hospital, Rutgers University, North Texas Veterans Administration, Mayo Clinic, and San Antonio Baptist, in addition to the out-of-state residency options available in Oklahoma and Kansas. All this and a tuition rate that is more than $50k below the state average for accredited PharmD programs at public universities!

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Tallahassee, Florida
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $334 (in-state), $921 (out-of-state)

($243 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $49,541 (in-state), $136,300 (out-of-state)

($36,865 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 98 percent of the faculty have their doctoral degree
  • Over $29 million funding from external grants and contracts
  • Faculty members are regularly published in peer-reviewed journals
  • Recognized as a research university in the field of pharmacology
  • 72 credits of prerequisites
  • 148-credit, four-year program

The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida A&M is committed to excellence at every level, and nowhere is this more apparent than with the exceptional faculty here. Experienced and well-connected to the professional community, 98 percent hold terminal degrees, all have made important contributions to the field, and many have had work published in peer-reviewed journals. The Florida A&M College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has earned a reputation as a respected research institute, providing students with unique networking opportunities and exposure to some of the latest developments in the pharmaceutical sciences. The PharmD here is truly a world-class program at a world class university, and still manages to offer students an amazing value with a total tuition rate that comes in $37,000 below the average cost of similar programs at public institutions in Florida.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM – HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Fort Worth, Texas
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $353 (in-state), $758 (out-of-state)

($224 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $56,472 (in-state), $121,212 (out-of-state)

($29,845 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 80 percent pass rate on the NAPLEX last year
  • The College of Pharmacy is a leader in pharmaceutical research and innovation
  • Dual degree options with a PhD, MS, or MPD
  • Competitive admissions process with only 19 percent of applicants admitted
  • Early decision admissions option for students who make the UNT System their first choice
  • New full-time cohort starts every fall
  • 72 credits of prerequisites (45 credits if you already have a bachelor’s degree)
  • 160-credit, four-year program

The University of North Texas Health Science Center stands out as a premier medical center for graduate-level scholars, with a national reputation for excellence. Studying pharmacy at the UNT Health Science Center is an immersive experience set in a complex alongside several other UNT System schools, including the UNTHSC School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The UNT healthcare and pharmaceutical science academic network runs deep, plugging you at a national level. This competitive program accepts only about 105 new pharmacy students each year, selecting the most promising from a pool of more than 500 applicants. It’s no surprise considering this is one of the nation’s top PharmD programs. What is surprising, however, is that this exceptional program costs $30,000 less than the average for similar programs at public institutions in Texas.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER (PU)
Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
Kingsville, Texas
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $416 (in-state), $1,441 (out-of-state)

($161 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $60,754 (in-state), $210,432 (out-of-state)

($25,563 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 87 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 93 percent of faculty have their doctoral degree
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • Ranked among the best colleges of pharmacy nationally by US News and World Report
  • Experiential education begins relatively early in your curriculum
  • This program can also be completed from the college’s College Station campus
  • Early decision admission possible for students committed to this program
  • 74 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center is the crown jewel of the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy. The 63,000-square-foot facility is an ideal environment for learning, and as a regional hub for research that attracts the best minds in the field from around the world, you’ll learn your craft in an environment that supports networking and the cross-pollination of ideas. This program is as popular as it is competitive, and selects fewer than 100 of the best students from a pool of several hundred applicants each year. In response to the demand, Texas A&M now offers the PharmD program at its College Station campus. At either location, you’ll be learning under the guidance of internationally recognized scholars.

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY – HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Lubbock, Texas
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $363 (in-state), $678 (out-of-state)

($214 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $61,347 (in-state), $114,582 (out-of-state)

($24,970 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • New full-time cohort admitted every fall
  • Option to complete the third and fourth years of this program at campus locations in Amarillo, Lubbock, and Dallas
  • 68 credits of prerequisites
  • 169-credit, four-year program

There hadn’t been a publicly-supported pharmacy program available in the United States for almost 50 years at the time the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy was established in 1993. As a graduate of this program you’ll join a proud community of 1,600 alumni, and counting. In keeping with its commitment to provide the most up-to-date education, the School of Pharmacy remains nimble enough to innovate and break from tradition to ensure the best career preparation possible. This is seen in the fact that the program involves more requisite clinical training hours than any other program of its kind in the nation. The benefit of these extra hours of hands on practice is reflected in graduate outcomes, with students going on to score well above average on the NAPLEX.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY (PU)
Harrison School of Pharmacy
Auburn, Alabama
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $419 (in-state), $851 (out-of-state)

($158 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $65,403 (in-state), $132,813 (out-of-state)

($20,914 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 86 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 90 percent five-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Small student-to-faculty ratio
  • Option to study abroad
  • More than 400 affiliated faculty who serve as preceptors located around the state
  • 185 students receive scholarships worth $350,000 each year
  • Exciting options for summer internships
  • More than $4 million annually in grants, research, and other external funding
  • Early admissions options for undergrads and high school students
  • 87 credits of prerequisites
  • 156-credit, four-year program

The PharmD program offered through the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy offers students a global perspective that few other programs can, with opportunities to study abroad in places like Thailand, Ecuador, Kenya, South Africa, and Honduras. The domestic internship sites students have access to are just as exciting, including the most respected names in healthcare and pharmaceutics like Eli Lily and Company, St. Jude Cancer Research Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, and even the FDA. The exceptionally low student-to-faculty ratio of nine-to-one means students of the Harrison School of Pharmacy get an unmatched level of individualized attention from professors. Instructors here have deep ties to the professional community, serving as officers in organizations that include the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. In just one year Harrison School faculty members had 159 individual articles and 15 book chapters published. Millions of dollars in outside funding for research and other projects come into the school each year, supporting efforts to make important contributions to the field of pharmaceutical science.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Athens, Georgia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $504 (in-state), $1,139 (out-of-state)

($73 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $74,080 (in-state), $167,368 (out-of-state)

($12,237 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 92 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • More than $240,000 in scholarships and awards given annually to PharmD students
  • Dual degree options with an MPH or MBA
  • Ranked among the 25-best pharmacy graduate schools by US News and World Report
  • Practice experiences at important locations in places like Augusta, Athens, Savannah, and Albany
  • Early decision admissions option for those committed to attending UGA
  • You can apply for admission after completing half of the 69 prerequisite credits
  • 147-credit, four-year program

Not only is the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy priced well below the state average for similar programs at public intuitions, it also provides an unparalleled student experience that can be seen in the impressive graduate outcomes: over the past three years, 92 percent have gone on to pass the NAPLEX. The College of Pharmacy wants to see students achieve their full potential, and with nearly a quarter million in scholarships awarded every year, they’re able to get there without a mountain of debt. When it’s time to complete your practice experiences, you’ll be plugged into a network that includes the region’s biggest names in healthcare and pharma, like Kroger Pharmacy, the Veterans Health Administration, the Augusta University Medical Center, the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, and more.

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Huntington, West Virginia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $524 (in-state), $930 (out-of-state)

($53 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $78,589 (in-state), $139,533 (out-of-state)

($7,728 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 100 percent of faculty hold terminal degrees
  • Brand new School of Pharmacy building beginning fall of 2019
  • Regional leader in pharmacy research
  • The School of Pharmacy’s active learning philosophy has been shown to improve grades dramatically
  • Introductory practice experience options in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky
  • Dual degree options with an MBA or MPH
  • Early assurance admissions option for freshmen enrolling in the pre-pharm segment
  • Advanced practice experience options at locations throughout the nation as well as abroad
  • 55 credits of prerequisites
  • 150-credit, four-year program

The Marshall University School of Pharmacy is innovative in the way it delivers curriculum in the PharmD program, emphasizing active didactic learning and going all out to ensure the best in hands on learning and field experiences. The School of Pharmacy maintains connections with regional neighbors to offer local opportunities for introductory practice experiences. When it comes time for your advanced practice experience, the school has connections at facilities throughout the country, and around the world in countries like South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, France, and Honduras. All the while you’ll work and learn under the guidance of a world-class faculty, all of whom hold terminal degrees, an attribute few other schools of pharmacy can claim. Instructors here bring years of professional experience to the classroom and clinical training environments, ensuring you’re well prepared to confidently transition to professional practice by the time you graduate.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Tampa, Florida
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $534 (in-state), $1,035 (out-of-state)

($43 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $79,619 (in-state), $154,148 (out-of-state)

($6,698 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 88 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 88 percent on-time graduation rate
  • 100 percent of faculty have their doctoral degrees
  • Ample opportunities to get involved with student pharmacy associations
  • 72 credits of prerequisites
  • 149-credit, four-year program

Founded just eight years ago in 2011, the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy has hit the ground running with a PharmD program that has already made a name for itself for an innovative curriculum and outstanding professors. With an 88 percent three-year average graduation and NAPLEX pass rate, the USF College of Pharmacy is clearly doing something right. In less than a decade, the school has already attracted more than a dozen professional student pharmacy associations. As a student here you’ll also benefit from the networking opportunities and academic depth brought by the four pharma-centric research centers and institutes that call the University of South Florida home. To top it all off, fully 100 percent of the professors in this program hold terminal degrees.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Little Rock, Arkansas
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $575 (in-state), $1,149 (out-of-state)

($3 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $82,741 (in-state), $165,482 (out-of-state)

($3,576 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 87 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • One of only 10 schools in the nation to offer a specialty track in nuclear pharmacy
  • Opportunity to study abroad
  • Exciting research opportunities for PharmD students
  • Dual degree options for an MBA or MPH
  • 69 credits of prerequisites
  • 144-credits, four-year program

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy ranks second to none for the exciting opportunities it offers PharmD students. Just this year students have been exploring everything from the role of antimicrobials in pediatric resistance and the activated proteins in radiation injury to nanocellulose products and small molecule antineoplastic agents. As a PharmD student here you have access to research opportunities with organizations that include Arkansas Children’s hospital, the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Department of Pharmacy Practice. And that’s to say nothing of the option to specialize in nuclear pharmacy, which this program offers through Nuclear Education Online. When it’s time for your real-world pharmacy field experience, you’ll have access to sites across the country and around the world, another noteworthy attribute that makes this program stand above the rest.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Princess Anne, Maryland
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $514 (in-state), $1,038 (out-of-state)

($64 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $84,477 (in-state), $170,724 (out-of-state)

($1,840 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 80 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 87 percent two-year average on-time graduation rate
  • 100 percent of faculty hold doctoral degrees
  • Well connected faculty provide an ideal environment for networking
  • Accelerated program lets you graduate a year earlier than most PharmD programs
  • Small class sizes
  • 66 credits of prerequisites
  • 5-credit, three-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy delivers course content efficiently, allowing students to transition to professional practice a year earlier than they could in conventional four-year programs. During the first two years, students are in the classroom and the lab, and even get some introductory pharmacy practice experience out in the field. The program is scheduled in a year-round block class format that lets you concentrate on one topic at a time and ultimately shave a year off the didactic portion of your education. The student-to-faculty ratio is kept low, at six-to-one, so you’ll get the individualized attention you need to develop. And that attention comes from expert faculty, all of whom hold terminal degrees.

SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $606 (in-state), $1,032 (out-of-state)

($29 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $84,840 (in-state), $144,480 (out-of-state)

($1,477 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Regional hub for pharmacy research, with government and private funded projects
  • Option for a dual degree with an MBA
  • Option for a degree specialization in pharmacy leadership
  • 58 credits of prerequisites
  • 140-credit, four-year program

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy bills itself as one of the best educational values of its kind in the nation, and we agree. Its Doctor of Pharmacy program stands on the shoulders of a tradition of excellence that’s been in place since 1939. Even with this long tradition in place, the program still innovates, giving you the ability to tailor your education with an MBA dual degree option or a specialization in pharmacy leadership. Both give you a considerable advantage in the job market upon gradation. PharmD students here also have the opportunity to participate in government and industry-funded research projects with some of the biggest corporate players in the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates of the College of Pharmacy also have an impressive 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX. That’s well above the national average. In fact, the only thing below average about this program is the cost of tuition.

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Morgantown, West Virginia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $551 (in-state), $1,082 (out-of-state)

($27 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $85,908 (in-state), $168,765 (out-of-state)

($409 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 88 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 94 percent three-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Home of the Mylan Center for Pharmaceutical Care Education
  • Small class sizes
  • Ranked among the top-20th percentile for best pharmacy schools nationwide by US News and World Report
  • Option for an MBA dual degree
  • Option to add one of three areas of emphases to your degree
  • Option for early decision admission if you’re committed to WVU
  • 62 credits of prerequisites
  • 156-credit, four-year program

You’re in good hands with the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, an institution of learning with 104 years of experience educating pharmacists. You’re also in charge of your education: you can customize your degree by combing it with an MBA or adding an area of emphasis in clinical pharmacy practice, gerontology, or pharmaceutical research. As the home of the Mylan Center for Pharmaceutical Care Education, you’ll benefit from in-house talent and the hands-on experience this state-of-the-art center provides. Small class sizes with a seven-to-one student-to-faculty ratio give you the opportunity for one-on-one learning. It should come as no surprise that this program boasts a high NAPLEX pass rate and an even higher on-time graduation rate.

LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Bradenton, Florida
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus, Online)

Cost per Credit: $735

($187 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $96,280

($46,142 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 82 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Home to the Center for Drug Information and Research
  • Early acceptance option if you’re committed to attending LECOM
  • Multiple campus locations in Pennsylvania where you can also complete the program
  • 54 credits of prerequisites
  • 131-credit, four-year program

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy is serious when it says it cares for its students and ensures their success, a tenet that holds true for its PharmD program. LECOM sets itself apart from all other schools in the nation as the largest medical college and the only osteopathic academic health center. On top of that it’s one of the few schools of pharmacy in the nation to offer a partially online option, which includes some summer classes at its Bradenton campus in Florida. As the home of the Center for Drug Information and Research, the School of Pharmacy attracts the best minds in the field who you’ll have the benefit of networking with as you develop professionally. All this at a private college with tuition that’s nearly $45k lower than the state average!

APPALACHIAN COLLEGE OF PHARMACY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Oakwood, Virginia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $765

($157 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $107,100

($35,322 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 87 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 96 percent of faculty hold a doctoral degree
  • Strong connection to the community
  • Accelerated year-round program lets you graduate one year sooner
  • 72 credits of prerequisites
  • 140-credit, three-year program

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy has a special relationship with the local community. Since being founded in 2003 during a time when there was a shortage of pharmaceutical care available to residents in Southwest Virginia, the school has been narrowing the gap between those who have access to quality pharmacists and those who don’t. The PharmD program at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy is particularly important for fulfilling this goal. As a student here you’ll have many opportunities to participate in community outreach initiatives, putting in work at the Mountain Care Center, the college’s own facility dedicated to assisting low-income or uninsured people gain access to the prescriptions they need. You’ll gain this invaluable and rewarding real world experience in a program that’s more than $34k below the state average for similar options, all while learning under the guidance of faculty whose dedication, expertise and credentials are well above average.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Washington, DC
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus, Online)

Cost per Credit: $812

($110 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $123,368

($19,054 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT is recommended but not required

  • 82 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 100 percent of faculty hold doctoral degrees
  • Option to complete a non-traditional Doctor of Pharmacy (NTDP) program
  • 93 percent graduation rate from the traditional PharmD program in 2018, 100 percent graduation rate from the NTDP program
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • Early decision admissions option if you’re committed to Howard as your first choice
  • 83 credits of prerequisites
  • 152-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Howard University College of Pharmacy puts students in the heart of where our nation’s healthcare and pharmaceutical policies are developed. As a Historically Black University with a long track record of academic excellence, PharmD students attending Howard can be proud to be a part of a renowned institution with a 150-year legacy. As a student in the traditional PharmD program you’ll take classes on-campus and complete the program in the standard four-year timeline. The College of Pharmacy also offers a non-traditional online option for practicing and currently-licensed pharmacists who wish to earn a PharmD, allowing flexible scheduling options that allow the program to be completed within a two-to-five year timeline. With professors holding the highest academic credentials in the field, a high rate of graduation and success on the NAPLEX, the only thing below average about this program is the tuition rate, with the total program cost coming in at nearly $18,000 below the state average.

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Davie, Florida
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $795

($127 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $127,132

($15,290 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 83 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Diverse student body and faculty; an international leader in pharmacy education and research
  • Dual degree options for an MBA, MPH, or a Master’s in Biomedical Informatics
  • Travel study option
  • Alumni network of more than 4,500
  • Beautiful 314-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale, with an additional campus location in Palm Beach
  • Three-year accelerated PharmD program available for international pharmacy graduates
  • 64 credits of prerequisites
  • 160-credit, four-year program

The PharmD program at the Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy offers students an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. For starters, the College of Pharmacy is the only one of its kind in the nation to offer a full-service community and institutional pharmacy. It’s also unique in offering you the opportunity to study abroad while earning credits towards your PharmD. The three-credit travel study option lasts about three weeks, taking you to places such as Spain, Argentina, Slovakia, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan. This is a great opportunity to see how pharmacy and healthcare work in other countries. The faculty here are leaders in practice and research, and are dedicated to the success of each and every one of their students.

UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Charleston, West Virginia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $851

($71 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $127,600

($14,822 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 83 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 87 percent on-time graduation rate last year
  • Outstanding curriculum offered in a state-of-the-art facility
  • 87 percent of faculty hold a doctoral degree
  • Host of the annual ExRx (Experience Pharmacy) Boot Camp
  • 60 credits of prerequisites
  • 150-credit, four-year program

The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy is extremely proud of its dynamic, technology-infused Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum, and for good reason. The PharmD program here includes an in-house patient care clinic and technologically advanced learning facilities complete with labs and Apple computers. You’ll find an immersive clinical learning environment here, where you’ll practice a community-centered, holistic approach to patient care. This extends to the yearly ExRx Bootcamp that gives prospective PharmD students a taste of what the profession is all about, with mock patient consultations, an IV simulation, service projects and more. In addition to a respectable graduation rate and serious results on the NAPLEX, this PharmD program at the University of Charleston is also a lot of fun.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Wingate, North Carolina
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $882

($40 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $131,376

($11,046 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT, waived for applicants with at least a 3.0 in prerequisites

  • 89 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Unique pharmacy practice experiences
  • Low student-to-faculty ratio
  • Program offered at the Hendersonville and Wingate campuses
  • Close-knit relations that encourage development and learning
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • 61 credits of prerequisites
  • 149-credit, four-year program

The success of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Wingate University School of Pharmacy rests on four pillars: pharmacotherapy, pharmaceutical sciences, practice experience, and professionalism. The School of Pharmacy has been proud to lead with its PharmD program, offered since 2003 as the school’s first foray into offering graduate degrees in healthcare. Since then, graduate-level healthcare education here has blossomed in many fields, but the PharmD remains among the most popular. The demand from eager pharmacy students has gotten to such a level that the university opened a brand new building on its Hendersonville campus. Students say they like this program because it provides pharmacy practice experiences that no other school in the state offers. They also appreciate the small class sizes and the sense of community that is fostered among peers and faculty. The exceptional student experience here is reflected in impressive outcomes, with graduates consistently scoring well on the NAPLEX… all this and one of the lowest tuition rates in the region.

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (PR)
College of Pharmacy
New Orleans, Louisiana
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $926

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $135,176

($7,246 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 80 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Ranked nationally among the top-20 colleges of pharmacy for NIH funding
  • Dedicated to bringing minority youth into the field of pharmacy, and open to all applicants, since 1927
  • Among the top-three PharmD programs in the nation for graduating the most African Americans
  • Home to leading research centers: Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, Center of Excellence, and the National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center
  • Admission option for high school graduates
  • 57 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

The Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy is proud of its Doctor of Pharmacy program. Since its inception it has been dedicated to educating African American and other minority students and seeing graduates make the transition into successful careers. This program welcomes all dedicated and eager students of  any ethnicity. Along with continuing a proud tradition of excellence for nearly a century, the Xavier College of Pharmacy is also a national leader when it comes to  receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health to support scholarship and original research. Xavier puts this funding to work to create exciting opportunities for students to participate in cutting edge research working alongside esteemed faculty members, one of whom recently brought home the Silver Award from the U.S. Pharmacopeial Commission for two drug stability studies.

CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Buies Creek, North Carolina
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $955 per credit hour for less than 12 hours per semester

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $165,560 (for all four years; includes general fees for all PharmD students)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 98 percent pass rate on the national pharmacy board exams for the last 25 years, including 10 years with a 100 percent pass rate
  • This program has won major awards from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  • $1 million in scholarships awarded annually
  • The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is home to 11 research centers and programs
  • Dual degree options with an MBA, or MS degrees in Public Health, Clinical Research, or Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Faculty are perceptive and responsive to your needs as a student
  • Early decision admissions option if you’re committed to Campbell University
  • 64 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

If we were to name all the exceptional things about the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, there would be too many things to list. Even the PharmD students here contribute to its winning reputation, earning Campbell a place in the winner’s circle for several recent competitions: the ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge, the ASHP Clinical Skills Competition, and the APhA Patient Counseling Competition. A lot of eager would-be pharmacy students are vying for a place in the program; with 789 applications coming in last year for only 105 available spots. And it’s clear why: The faculty here are exceptional. They do everything in their power to foster an environment conducive to learning, including maintaining an open-door policy. When it comes time for your pharmacy practice experiences you’ll appreciate how this program maintains relationships with some of the world’s premier clinical institutions including the Duke University Medical Center and VA Medical Centers. Career guidance from the school’s pharmacy committees and alumni makes sure you’re networked in so you’re ready to hit the ground running as soon as you graduate.

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Winchester, Virginia
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $924

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $137,640

($4,782 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 89 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Dual degree options with an MBA, MPH, and MS in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
  • Option to participate in trips abroad
  • Small class size
  • All students are partnered with a faculty adviser starting the first semester
  • Active involvement opportunities with a dozen pharmacy student organizations
  • 63 credits of prerequisites
  • 149-credit, four-year program

Opportunities abound in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy. You’ll have access to no less than 12 student pharmacy organizations where you’ll find plenty of professional networking opportunities and camaraderie. Eighty-five percent of student pharmacists find at least one organization to participate in. This program’s 10-to-one student-to-faculty ratio ensures you have the access and attention you need to thrive. You can complete your pharmacy practice experience at exciting locations in and around Winchester, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, and Martinsburg in West Virginia. With an ideal location near the nation’s capital, you’ll have access to organizations like the NIH, FDA, and CMS. The School of Pharmacy also offers opportunities to go on medical mission trips abroad. Altogether we really appreciate the options you have in this program, and its low tuition cost is icing on the cake.

UNION UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Jackson, Tennessee
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $919

($3 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $137,800

($4,622 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 94 percent three-year average NAPLEX pass rate
  • 100 percent job placement rate for graduates
  • Small class sizes
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • 300 training sites for your pharmacy practice experience
  • Pharmacy practice experience locations in more than 30 states and two foreign countries
  • State-of-the-art simulation and lab facilities
  • Early admission option for Union University undergrads
  • 65 credits of prerequisites
  • 150-credit, four-year program

The student experience in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Union University College of Pharmacy is second-to-none. The program combines a highly qualified faculty with a technologically advanced learning environment and small class sizes with an eight-to-one student-to-faculty ratio to maximize your interactions with professors, stacking the odd of success in your favor. There aren’t many schools that can boast exemplary numbers in the three primary metrics by which PharmD programs are assessed, but this one can: it has one of the highest three-year average NAPLEX pass rates of any school in the nation, a 100 percent job placement rate, and it does it all at a price that is below the average cost of similar programs in the state.

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Clinton, South Carolina
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $955

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $138,536

($3,886 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the South)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 94 percent on-time graduation rate
  • At least a 90 percent employment rate for graduates
  • Three-quarters of students have a job secured before graduation
  • Study in a facility that is designed to optimize learning and comfort
  • Opportunity to attend professional meetings and present your research
  • No recorded or video lectures; 100 percent live
  • Most students are networked in with a professional pharmacy organization
  • 64 credits of prerequisites
  • 145-credit, four-year program

How would you like to secure you career in a pharmacy you love before you even graduate with your doctorate? There’s a good chance this could be exactly what you experience as a graduate of the PharmD program at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. Fully 75 percent of students have jobs secured at least six months prior to graduating. You’ll be learning in a 54,000-square-foot multi-story facility complete with classrooms, research laboratories, faculty offices, assessment areas, and the fully functioning and equipped Center for Pharmacy Care, an actual pharmacy clinic. We think a 94 percent on-time graduation rate speaks for itself, and unlike many programs out there this one doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to a quality education: 100 percent of your lectures are delivered live by your professors.

Midwestern Region

Average public school cost $97,745 / $685 per credit

Average private school cost $159,595 / $1,042 per credit

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO (PU)
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Toledo, Ohio
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $432 (in-state), $754 (out-of-state)

($253 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $58,078 (in-state), $101,350 (out-of-state)

($39,667 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • One of the nation’s top pharmacy schools
  • Dedicated Health Science Campus is home to three research centers and laboratories
  • Ideal location with an on-site hospital
  • Dual degree options with an MBA or PhD in Medicinal Chemistry
  • More than 700 partnerships for pharmacy practice experience, including overseas in places like China and Hungary
  • The College has more than a century of experience, founded in 1904
  • Nearly $100,000 in scholarships awarded every year
  • You must apply to this program as a freshman and will be eligible for admission to its four-year professional phase after four undergraduate semesters
  • 5-credit, six-year program (tuition and per-credit cost estimates shown above are based on the cost of your final four years)

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences feels like it’s situated at the center of the pharmacy universe. It features a dedicated Health Science Campus, complete with lecture rooms, labs, student comfort amenities, and the Lloyd D. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center (IISC). This is a state-of-the-art facility that itself incorporates three sub-centers: a virtual immersive reality center, an advanced clinical simulation center, and a progressive anatomy and surgical skills center. If all that wasn’t impressive enough, this program is also among only several in the entire nation to be ideally co-located with a hospital. The school is also home to the Center for Drug Design and Development, the Shimadzu Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Research Excellence, and the Drug Information Center, attracting thought leaders from around the globe. All this from a program with a total tuition cost that is nearly $40k less than the average cost of similar programs in the Midwest!

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Fargo, North Dakota
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $425 (in-state), $637 (out-of-state)

($260 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $61,980 (in-state), $92,972 (out-of-state)

($35,765 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 90 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Students are assigned the most fitting personal adviser based on interests and career goals
  • Dual degree options with an MBA, MHA, or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Option for early admissions for high-achieving high school students committed to NDSU
  • This program offers interdisciplinary research and practice experiences under the leadership of outstanding faculty members
  • Home of an original “concept pharmacy”
  • 83 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy is one of the most affordable programs of its kind in the nation, with tuition nearly $36,000 below the average cost of similar programs in the Midwest. A 90 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX is far better than the numbers coming out of many of the more-expensive PharmD programs in the area, and around the country. The NDSU School of Pharmacy is proud of its outstanding faculty who are adept at integrating different fields to present you with a multidisciplinary approach to pharmacy. This “concept pharmacy” at NDSU is more than just a lab, it’s a state-of-the-art facility where you’ll get hands-on experience working with the latest technology used in pharmacies today. Post-graduate residency options are available at six affiliate sites and offer an annual stipend of at least $45,000.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Brookings, South Dakota
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $536 (in-state), $865 (out-of-state)

($149 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $81,403 (in-state), $131,488 (out-of-state)

($16,341 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 99 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Pharmacy taught for more than 100 years, starting in 1888
  • This program is offered from a new, spacious, and technologically advanced facility
  • Housed in the same facility with fully equipped research laboratories actively engaged in the study of oncology, drug delivery systems, neuropharmacology, and more
  • Pre-admission option for qualifying students completing their prerequisites in-house at SDSU
  • Approximately 53 percent of students who apply get in
  • 66 credits of prerequisites
  • 152-credit, four-year program

The PharmD program at the South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions has been engineered to ensure the success of its students. Nowhere is this more clear than in the fact that it has the highest three-year average NAPLEX pass rate of any program on our list. Whether talking about the research facilities on the SDSU campus or the opportunities for valuable and rewarding experiences out in the field, SDSU offers a student experience that’s hard to get anywhere else. You’ll be calling the 97,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Avera Health and Science Center home for the duration of this program. Completed in 2010, the facility has everything you need for a well rounded education in a comfortable setting, including 48,600 square feet of research lab space, lecture halls, and the Markl Student Resource Center. One of the most exciting aspects of being a student here is your ability to participate in groundbreaking research. With active research projects taking place all the time, every student here has an opportunity to get involved.

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (PU)
James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $608 (in-state), $1,029 (out-of-state)

($77 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $83,880 (in-state), $142,056 (out-of-state)

($13,865 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Option to study abroad on four different continents
  • Study in a great location with access to national leaders in the pharmacy industry
  • Early decision admission option if you’re committed to the University of Cincinnati
  • Home of research projects addressing topics like cellular mechanisms of disease, drug penetration capabilities, targeted drug delivery, pharmaceutical economics, and more
  • The research opportunities at the College of Pharmacy are currently undergoing historic growth
  • 68 credits of prerequisites
  • 138-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy stands apart for many reasons. It’s ideally located in Cincinnati, which places you near some of the biggest names in healthcare and pharmaceutics, providing an accessible pathway when it comes time for your field placements. With one of the highest three-year average NAPLEX pass rates of any school in the nation, the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy PharmD has a track record for exceptional graduate outcomes. As a student here you’ll have an opportunity to gain international pharmacy experience in places like Australia, Chile, Guatemala, Italy, and Scotland. It’s no surprise that every year this program receives between 300 and 400 applications to fill just 96 spots.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (PU)
Purdue College of Pharmacy
West Lafayette, Indiana
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $574 (in-state), $1,067 (out-of-state)

($111 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $84,927 (in-state), $157,967 (out-of-state)

($12,817 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Over 20 faculty members recognized for excellence
  • Ranked among the top-10 best pharmacy programs
  • Global leader in drug innovation and discovery
  • More than 700 pharmacy practice experience options
  • Over 125 years of experience in pharmacy education
  • 62 credits of prerequisites
  • 148-credit, four-year program

If you’re going to study pharmacy, you might as well do it at a college that leads the world in pharmacy research and development. The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy is just such a location, with major research projects underway right now in three of its flagship departments: the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacy, and the Department of Pharmacy Practice. The expertise housed in this program evidently rubs off, as seen in a commendable 91 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX. The fact that you have more than 700 sites to choose from for your field experience means you can find a location that is ideally suited to your career goals. It’s hard to believe this program costs nearly $13,000 less than the average cost of similar programs in the Midwest.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Madison, Wisconsin
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $648 (in-state), $1,181 (out-of-state)

($36 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $86,844 (in-state), $158,216 (out-of-state)

($10,901 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 97 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • A nationally top-ranked PharmD program
  • 93 percent three-year average on-time graduation rate
  • For the past three years an average of 90 percent of students have jobs secured by the time of graduation, going up to 95 percent within three months of graduation
  • Home to internationally renown pharmacy research centers
  • Dual degree option with an MPH
  • Option to earn certificates in consumer health advocacy, global health, clinical research, clinical and community outcomes research, and patient safety
  • 72 credits of prerequisites
  • 134-credit, four-year program

You’ll find some of the best student outcomes statistics in the nation coming out of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the numbers say it all. For the past three years, graduates of this program have achieved one of the highest average NAPLEX pass rates of any school in the nation, as well as impressive completion rates and post-graduation employment rates. But don’t get the impression that the highlights of this program can only be represented in cold numbers. The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy is a vibrant learning community complete with many student pharmacy associations and professors who go out of their way to ensure your success. The School of Pharmacy is home to some of the nation’s leading pharmacy research institutes, including the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, the Sonderegger Research Center, the Zeeh Pharmaceutical Experiment Station, the Office of Global Health, and more.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Omaha, Nebraska
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $584 (in-state), $730 (out-of-state)

($101 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $90,780 (in-state), $113,480 (out-of-state)

($6,965 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 96 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • NAPLEX pass rate always above the national average
  • Home of new centers for pharmacy education and research
  • Ranked the 25th-best college of pharmacy in the nation by US News and World Report
  • Award-winning faculty
  • Home of major research institutions like the Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine
  • Dual degree options with an MPH or MBA
  • 64 credits of prerequisites
  • 5-credit, four-year program

There’s no time like the present to look into the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy. The paint is barely dry on its brand new UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and its Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education, both inaugurated in August of 2016. It goes without saying that these facilities are some of the most technologically advanced of their kind in the nation, but it’s even more important to mention the exceptional faculty here. One professor just joined the ranks of Nobel Prize laureates and famous drug inventors to become the distinguished winner of the ACS Award for Creative Invention. Every year UNMC students perform well above the national average on the NAPLEX. It’s no surprise this program consistently ranks among the best in the nation!

NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Rootstown, Ohio
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $501 (in-state), $721 (out-of-state)

($183 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $93,177 (in-state), $134,123 (out-of-state)

($4,568 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 92 percent of graduates are employed or doing post-grad education
  • The College of Pharmacy receives more NIH research funding per Principle Investigator than any other pharmacy school in the state
  • 30 percent of your curriculum is in an active learning environment
  • 86 percent of last year’s class graduated on time
  • More than 100 locations for your pharmacy practice experience
  • Small class sizes
  • Early assurance admission track options for high school students, in-house undergraduates, partner universities, and member schools of the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE)
  • 63 credits of prerequisites
  • 186-credit, four-year program

One of the most stand-out qualities of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy are the opportunities available to each and every student. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just seven-to-one, you’ll get the kind of individual attention from expert faculty you need to thrive. That impressive ratio continues with the more than 100 locations available to you when it comes time to complete your pharmacy practice experience. In just one year, the College of Pharmacy received more than $16.7 million in research funds, and is the leading school in the state for NIH funding. Another highlight of this program is its emphasis on hands-on practical experience, with a full 30 percent of the curriculum dedicated to active-learning. No wonder this program is one of the best ranked in the state, and one of our top recommendations for exceptional value.

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Cedarville, Ohio
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $976

($67 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $139,528

($20,067 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 95 percent graduation rate
  • 99 percent of students have a job within six months of graduation
  • 100 percent of your faculty have their doctoral degree
  • Opportunity to participate in medical mission trips abroad
  • Recognized on The Princeton Review and US News and World Report top schools lists
  • Your classes take place in the state-of-the-art award-winning Health Sciences Center
  • Christian environment and perspective
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • Many opportunities to participate in research projects
  • Admission track for freshmen who want to complete their prerequisites in-house and earn a BS in Pharmaceutical Science before transitioning to the PharmD
  • 52 credits of prerequisites plus a bachelor’s degree are required for admission
  • 143-credit, four-year program

A high graduation rate, stellar job placement rate, and unique opportunities make the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy stand out from the rest. As a student here, you’ll be able to put Christian philosophy and values into practice by participating in the school’s unique Global Outreach program, which gives you the opportunity to use your expertise to help people in the local community, or on the other side of the world. You’re encouraged to go on at least one international medical mission trip, with recent destinations including the Dominican Republic, India, and Romania. In addition to exciting travel opportunities, this program offers amazing opportunities to participate in cutting edge research. Faculty research topics you can link up with include cancer drug development, clinical pharmacy outcomes research, medication therapy management outcomes research, and more. It’s hard to believe you get all this from a program with total tuition costs that come in at $20,000 less than the average cost of similar programs in the Midwest.

OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Ada, Ohio
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $990

($53 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $142,520

($17,075 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: ACT or SAT

  • 93 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Graduating professionals into the field of pharmacy since 1884
  • 99 percent of students are employed within six months of graduation
  • 93 percent of your campus-based faculty have their doctoral degrees
  • Ranked the number-one private college of pharmacy in Ohio by US News and World Report
  • Award winning and highly distinguished faculty
  • You can only apply to this program as a freshman, and you’ll complete two years of undergraduate prerequisite courses before you begin the four-year professional phase of the program (six years in total)
  • 144-credit, four-year program

Of all the highpoints we could lead with when talking about the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy, it’s the outstanding faculty here that really make the program shine. Ninety-three percent of campus-based professors hold terminal degrees, and as distinguished leaders in different areas of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science, many have been recognized with awards from organizations like the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American College of Apothecaries, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and the American Pharmacists Association. Ohio Northern research professors make significant contributions to the research that’s taking place on the cutting edge of pharmaceutical science, which is something that students and the entire school community benefit from. This program delivers real results, with NAPLEX pass rates well above the national average and stellar job placement rates – and it does it all with total tuition costs coming in at $17,000 below the regional average.

ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE (PR)
College of Pharmacy
North Chicago, Illinois
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $715

($327 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $143,052

($16,543 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • State-of-the-art simulation and skills labs
  • 84 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Leader in pharmacy research, pioneered at facilities like the Laboratory for Molecular Design and Drug Discovery
  • Early decision admissions option if you’re committed to the College of Pharmacy
  • 65 semester credits or 95 quarter credits of prerequisites
  • 200 quarter credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy incorporates a team-based interprofessional approach to education that mirrors what is seen in the real world. Healthcare is a team sport, and you’ll find this philosophy integrated into a curriculum that teaches you to collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other important players. Just 36 miles from Chicago, you have access to world-class faculty as well as the opportunity to gain pharmacy practice experience with leading organizations. The research opportunities here are exciting, and range from nanotechnology to groundbreaking drugs being developed to treat HIV/AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. No wonder this competitive program gets some 500 applications each year to fill just 63 seats – only 12 percent of applicants are accepted.

BUTLER UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Indianapolis, Indiana
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,063

($21 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $150,935

($8,660 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 97 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Tradition of excellence in pharmacy since 1904
  • Guaranteed admissions for qualifying students who complete their pharmacy prerequisites at Butler University
  • 12 faculty researchers leading cutting edge developments in their fields
  • Ranked one of the best regional universities in the Midwest by US News and World Report
  • Option to enroll in a medical Spanish track
  • Dual degree options with an MBA or MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • At least 33 credits of prerequisites required
  • 142-credit, four-year program

Students of the Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences consistently demonstrate some of the best performance results when it comes time to take the NAPLEX. With an impressive 97 percent three-year average first time pass rate, the Doctor of Pharmacy program here offers some of the best preparation for success we’ve seen. How do they do it? It’s not just one thing; it’s a combination of many high-quality indicators. Chief among them are the unmatched opportunities for experiential learning through the 10 one-month-long field placement rotations in the community. Right now a dozen faculty researchers at Butler are delving into the most challenging issues of the day to uncover new insights and breakthroughs in everything from HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases to pain management to mood disorders. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences continues to build on its long legacy of excellence in research and scholarship, a tradition that goes back 115 years.

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy
Schaumburg, Illinois
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $810

($232 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $152,706

($6,889 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 99 percent job placement
  • 95 percent graduation rate
  • Seven-to-one student-to-faculty ratio
  • 52 percent students of color
  • Pharmacy practice experience takes place at sites like the University of Chicago Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the RUSH University Medical Center
  • Year-round accelerated program structure gives you the possibility to graduate one year earlier than most other PharmD programs
  • Early decision admissions option if you’re committed to this program
  • 57 semester or 84 quarter credits of prerequisites
  • 5 quarter credit, three-year program

Even as the newest college to be established at Roosevelt University, the College of Pharmacy already has a lot to be proud of, and it all starts with a philosophy that puts the needs of the patient before anything else. There’s just a handful of pharmacy doctorate programs in the entire nation that allow you to graduate in just three years time, and the Roosevelt PharmD is the only one in the entire Midwest. This accelerated pace is the result of a very efficient and well organized system for delivering the core curriculum and guiding students through lab work and other experiential learning, something that relies on dedicated faculty who are committed to student success year-round. You have to love a program that offers a tuition rate below the regional average while at the same time allowing you to transition to professional practice a year ahead of your colleagues in other programs. Your pharmacy practice experiences take place under the guidance of professors you’re already familiar with, and thanks to Roosevelt’s proximity to Chicago, you’ll be able to get your hands-on training at some of the nation’s most renowned healthcare facilities.

MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY (PR)
College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,060

($18 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $157,964

($1,631 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Midwest)Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 100 percent of faculty hold doctoral degrees
  • 98 percent job placement rate
  • 91 percent on-time graduation rate
  • Dual degree option with an MS in Pharmacogenomics (PGx)
  • Emphasis placed on strong community connections
  • Early assurance admissions option for qualifying students completing their prerequisites in-house
  • 60 credits of prerequisites
  • 149-credit, four-year program

The Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences has a lot to be proud of, especially when it comes to the world-class faculty behind the stellar reputation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Not many schools can say that every single one of their faculty members hold terminal degrees, but Manchester University can. One professor was just awarded the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s (AACP) Emerging Teaching Scholar Award, a distinction shared by only three other professors in the nation. The College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences’ commitment to the local community is second to none. Last year students and faculty contributed more than 4,000 hours of service. As a student here, you’ll have the option of earning a PharmD/MS in Pharmacogenomics (MS PGx) dual degree – in fact Manchester is the first University in the nation to offer the MS PGx, as well as the first to offer it as a dual degree option for PharmD students.

Northeastern Region

Average public school cost $104,087 / $743 per credit

Average private school cost $162,900 / $1,122 per credit

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY (PU)
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $564 (in-state), $1,116 (out-of-state)

($179 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $82,914 (in-state), $164,074 (out-of-state)

($21,173 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 94 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Ranks in the top 10 percent nationally for pharmacy school federal research funding
  • 100 percent three-year average job placement rate
  • 90 percent three-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Home to five major pharmacy departments
  • Member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance
  • Dual degree options with an MD, PhD, MPH, and MBA
  • Optional PharmD Honors Research Program
  • Entrance pathway to the professional four-year segment for freshmen students
  • 66 credits of prerequisites
  • 147-credit, four-year program

The right combination of multidisciplinary research, comprehensive pharmacy practice experiences, a strong foundation in clinical sciences, and a compassionate focus on patient centered care make the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy stand out. The school is an international hub in the pharmacy field, comprised of five major pharmacy departments: the Department of Chemical Biology, the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, the Department of Pharmaceutics, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration. These departments are heavyweights in their own right, bringing internationally recognized, leading-edge research opportunities to the university. The Center for Cancer Prevention Research alone has secured millions in funding and holds more than a dozen patents. Suffice it to say, the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy ranks among the top 10 percent of pharmacy schools in the nation for good reason. Amazingly, the tuition here is fully $22,000 less than the average cost of similar programs in the Northeast.

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT (PU)
School of Pharmacy
Storrs, Connecticut
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $607 (in-state), $1,295 (out-of-state)

($136 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $83,480 (in-state), $172,676 (out-of-state)

($20,607 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 90 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 100 percent job placement rate
  • 94 percent on-time graduation rate
  • 87 percent of students have jobs upon graduation
  • Choose from four optional tracks: leadership, urban services, pediatric pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences
  • Widely published faculty in peer-reviewed journals
  • Ranked the Number One School of Pharmacy in New England by US News and World Report
  • Dual degree options with an MBA, MPH, or PhD
  • Study in a modern 221,000 square-foot building with a 90,000 square-foot pharmacy research laboratory
  • Home to the Department of Pharmacy Practice and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Early assurance admission option for qualifying incoming freshmen who complete their prerequisites in-house
  • 55 credits of prerequisites
  • 146-credit, four-year program

As a PharmD student at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, you’ll be learning and working in a state-of-the-art $94.6 million facility that includes 90,000 square feet of research laboratories. It’s notably the home of the Harold G. Hewitt Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Laboratories, and also houses the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility and the Protein X-Ray Crystallography Facility, complete with freeze-drying capabilities, autoclaves, and tissue culture facilities. An exceptional learning environment underpins the impressive student outcomes seen in this program, including a 100 percent post-graduate job placement rate, with 87 percent securing a position even before they graduate. UConn School of Pharmacy professors have made major achievements in their careers and want to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Small wonder this school is recognized as the best in New England.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (PU)
College of Pharmacy
Kingston, Rhode Island
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $658 (in-state), $1,081 (out-of-state)

($85 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $89,504 (in-state), $147,026 (out-of-state)

($14,583 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at public institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 89 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 97 percent employment rate on graduation
  • 87 percent on-time graduation rate
  • 97 percent of faculty hold doctoral degrees
  • Over a dozen professional student pharmacy organizations have a presence on campus
  • Dual degree options with an MBA or an MS in Pharmaceutical Science or Physician Assistant Studies
  • Opportunity to participate in international outreach projects
  • Ranks 11thout of 138 colleges of pharmacy for receiving the most NIH research funding
  • 68 credits of prerequisites are required to transfer into the four-year professional phase of this program on a space-available basis; the primary admission route into this program is as a freshmen completing two years of prerequisites in-house before moving into the four-year professional phase
  • 136-credit, four-year program

Last year 635 qualified students applied to fill only 130 seats in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. That’s a 20 percent acceptance rate, and a clear indicator of the exceptional student experience found here. The reputation of the URI PharmD program precedes it. That’s thanks in part to the cutting edge research taking place here and how it’s contributing to advancements in the pharmaceutical sciences. Last year the College of Pharmacy was awarded $15.4 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health. As a student here you’ll have a strong connection to the community thanks to the state-of-the-art Pharmaceutical Development Institute, Drug Information Services, and the Pharmacy Outreach Program. The highly qualified professors in this program prepare you for success, a fact that is backed up by the 97 percent employment rate among graduates.

LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Erie, Pennsylvania
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus, Online)

Cost per Credit: $613

($509 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $81,555

($81,345 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 82 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 100 percent of faculty have their doctoral degrees
  • Home of the Center for Drug Information and Research
  • State-of-the-art campus facilities
  • 54 credits of prerequisites
  • 133-credit, three-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy is by far the best value on this list. With an estimated total tuition of $81,555, it’s more than $81k below the average cost of PharmD programs at private schools in the Northeast. You simply can’t beat that, especially with a program that is well above average in all other regards. The Lake Erie PharmD offers you the option of taking many of the courses online over a four-year period, something that is very rare among PharmD programs. It’s also offered in a three-year accelerated format from LECOM’s Pennsylvania campus in Erie with a year-round curriculum that lets you graduate a year earlier than would be possible in most other PharmD programs. Home of the Center for Drug Information and Research, this program attracts highly qualified professors who specialize in everything from oncology and psychiatry to family medicine and hematology.

UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES (PR)
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,007

($115 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $140,000

($22,900 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT, with the possibility to substitute the MCAT or DAT

  • 92 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • First pharmacy school in all of North America, founded in 1821
  • Over 300 partner sites nationwide, including renowned hospitals and medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory agencies where you can gain pharmacy practice experience
  • Alumni of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy have founded six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world
  • This PharmD program is the first competency-driven professional curriculum in the world
  • Ranked among the top-10 colleges in the nation for the highest salaries among graduates
  • Professors are award-winning scientists, clinicians, and pioneering researchers
  • Ranked nationally among the best pharmacy programs by US News and World Report
  • Ideal location near the center of health sciences and pharmacy
  • Cutting-edge research facilities and ample funding
  • Direct-entry admissions option for qualifying students who complete their pharmacy prerequisites in-house
  • 67 credits of prerequisites
  • 139-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of the Sciences Philadelphia College of Pharmacy has so many outstanding attributes it would be hard to list them all. Its Philadelphia campus location alone is notable, putting students in the heart of it all, within proximity to no less than 250 medical facilities and three-quarters of all pharmaceutical companies in the nation. Then you have the award-winning faculty, the long tradition of excellence as the single oldest school of pharmacy in the nation, the state-of-the-art facilities, the well-funded research initiatives, and the legacy of an alumni network that has included some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry, like Eli Lilly, Henry Wellcome and Robert McNeil, who went on to lead companies that eventually merged to become the bedrock corporations known today as GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson. As a graduate of a school with a tradition that’s approaching its 200-year anniversary, your name could be included among tomorrow’s leaders in the field, sharing the wall with those who were legacies in their own right a century ago. It’s hard to believe the University of the Sciences PharmD is also one of the most affordable in the Northeast.

HUSSON UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Bangor, Maine
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,002

($120 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $145,290

($17,610 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • Over $400k in grants and scholarships awarded to pharmacy students annually
  • Wide range of field experience placement options
  • Dedicated advisers assigned to ensure your success
  • 87 percent of faculty have their doctoral degrees
  • Modern state-of-the-art lab facilities and an overall 25,000 square-foot complex
  • Dual degree option with an MS in Pharmacology or an MBA
  • Many student pharmacy organizations on campus
  • Inter-professional curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning
  • Small class sizes
  • Guaranteed admission track for qualifying high-achieving students
  • 60 credits of prerequisites
  • 145-credit, four-year program

The amazing networking opportunities offered by the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Husson University School of Pharmacy aren’t surprising considering that more than a dozen professional student pharmacy organizations have a presence on campus. The great PharmD program here attracts them, along with the great faculty and highly-motivated students like you. The School of Pharmacy is home to seven dedicated classrooms as well as a cognitive skill lab, a dispensing lab, a pharmaceutical sciences research lab, and 2,000 square feet of dedicated space in the HU Research and Education Center. On top of the fact that the program is one of the best priced options available in the Northeast, Husson awards $400,000 in scholarships and grants every year, offering the potential to save even more on tuition.

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH (PR)
School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies
West Hartford, Connecticut
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $950

($172 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $152,037

($10,863 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 80 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • Dedicated 53,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facilities for the PharmD program
  • Early decision admissions option if you’re committed to this program
  • Long standing collaborative relationships with health care facilities and hospitals
  • 96 percent of professors hold doctoral degrees
  • Entrance option for freshmen to earn a BS in Biochemistry, Biology, or Chemistry, plus a PharmD, in six years total
  • Accelerated block-schedule program format lets you graduate a year earlier than most other PharmD programs in the nation
  • Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in any subject and completion of 68 credits of pre-pharmacy prerequisites
  • 160-credit, three-year program

The PharmD program at the University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies sets itself apart in many ways, starting with a very well-organized and efficient curriculum delivery method that allows you to graduate a year earlier than most PharmD programs. The unique format not only lets you transition to professional practice sooner, but also results in a deeper mastery of pharmacy skills and knowledge. You have to love a program that offers an affordable tuition rate while at the same time putting you in a position to have a year’s pay and experience under your belt before your colleagues at other universities are even throwing their caps in the air. This program offers a great opportunity if you’re a freshmen looking to earn a relevant bachelor’s degree en route to earning your PharmD. Most professors here hold terminal degrees, and all come from distinguished backgrounds and bring the same level of dedication to seeing you succeed.

WILKES UNIVERSITY (PR)
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,084

($39 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $153,872

($9,028 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 89 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 96 percent five-year average on-time graduation rate
  • Technologically advanced facilities, including four labs
  • Dual degree option with an MBA
  • Optional concentrations in Spanish, public health, or independent pharmacy ownership
  • Option to study abroad
  • 41 credits of prerequisites
  • 142-credit, four-year program

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy offers unique options for tailoring your education to perfectly fit your career goals. You can earn an MBA alongside your PharmD, and select from concentrations in Spanish, public health, or independent pharmacy ownership, all specifically designed for professional pharmacists. The Nesbitt School PharmD is the only one in the nation to offer a concentration in Spanish, an option that includes the opportunity to study abroad. As a student here, you’ll be learning in a state-of-the-art environment that is optimized to be conducive to learning and includes four state-of-the-art labs: the Pharmaceutical Science Teaching Laboratory, the Pharmaceutical Science Computer Laboratory, the Anatomy/Physiology and Pharmacy Teaching Laboratory, and the CVS Pharmacy Care Lab.

D’YOUVILLE COLLEGE (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Buffalo, New York
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,089

($33 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $154,683

($8,217 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 82 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 97 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation
  • Small class sizes
  • 97 percent of professors hold doctoral degrees
  • 100 percent of last year’s graduating class received APhA Certification in Medication Therapy Management
  • More than 170 affiliation agreements for pharmacy practice experiences
  • Opportunity to participate in a service trip to Ecuador
  • Study in high-tech classrooms, labs, and other facilities
  • Early assurance admission option for qualifying freshmen who complete prerequisites in-house
  • 60 prerequisites
  • 142-credit, four-year program

One of the most exciting features about earning your PharmD through the D’Youville College School of Pharmacy are the state-of-the-art labs you’ll be learning and working in: Bauer Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics Research Laboratories, the Drug Research and Development Lab, and the Compounding Laboratories. These facilities serve as amazing resources and proving grounds, and they’re all close at hand allowing you to learn the most advanced concepts in pharmacy without ever leaving the Buffalo campus. When it comes time to step out to gain your real-world pharmacy practice experience, you’ll have no shortage of options thanks to the partnership agreements the School of Pharmacy maintains with more than 170 sites. Before you know it you’ll be gearing up for the NAPLEX and transitioning into professional practice, a fact that is all but guaranteed in a program with a 97 percent job placement rate.

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Teaneck, New Jersey
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,014

($108 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $158,200

($4,700 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT or GRE

  • 100 percent of your professors have doctoral degrees
  • 93 percent on-time graduation rate
  • 98 percent of graduates report being well prepared for their careers
  • First pharmacy school in New Jersey associated with a private university
  • Located in the heart of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry
  • Dual degree options with an MBA, MS in Pharmaceutical Science, MPA, MHS, or an MA in Industrial/Organizations psychology or Corporate and Organizational Communication
  • 90 credits of prerequisites
  • 156-credit, four-year program

The PharmD offered through the Farleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences delivers on every level, from the reasonable tuition rates to the options for specialization. But even those highlights come in a distant second behind the world class faculty that make the program possible. Though they hail from diverse backgrounds in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences, they share one important thing in common: every single one of them holds a terminal degree. Nothing has as much influence on the success of students as the expertise and dedication of the professors who teach them, and nowhere is the student experience more apparent than with the results of student satisfaction surveys. Last year, a full 98 percent of Farleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences PharmD graduates reported being well prepared for their careers.

MCPHS UNIVERSITY (PR)
School of Pharmacy
Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts | Manchester, New Hampshire
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus, Online)

Cost per Credit: $1,195

($73 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $158,935

($3,965 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: none

  • 97 percent of professors hold a doctoral degree
  • An accelerated three-year PharmD program is offered from the Worcester and Manchester campuses
  • A four-year PharmD program is offered from the Boston campus, with an optional honors track
  • Entrance pathway for freshmen at the Boston campus to complete pre-pharm prerequisites and the professional phase of the PharmD program in five years total
  • Online PharmD option for licensed pharmacists with a BS in Pharmacy – graduate after six consecutive semesters (fall-spring-summer) over two years and 37 credits; $44,215 total estimated tuition cost
  • Newly renovated labs with technologically advanced equipment
  • Small class sizes
  • Ideal location at the center of the biotech industry
  • 39 credits of prerequisites for students with a bachelor’s degree in any field; 66 credits of prerequisites for students without a bachelor’s degree
  • 133-137 credit, three and four-year program options

It’s not an exaggeration to say that MCPHS University has prepared more students for pharmacy careers than any other university in the world. That is indeed a claim the school stands behind. And it’s believable, considering that MCPHS is home to the second oldest school of pharmacy in the nation. We like the many options this program offers, starting with the option to attend at convenient campus locations in Worcester, Manchester and Metro Boston, placing you in the heart of the largest biotech cluster on earth and the fastest growing biopharmaceutical job market in the nation. It also allows you to choose an accelerated three-year format or a traditional four-year option, while licensed pharmacists with a BS in Pharmacy can earn a PharmD online in just two years. If you’re in the four-year program at Boston you can opt to earn an honors designation with your degree, which gives you a little something extra to list on your CV.

ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES (PR)
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Colchester, Vermont | Albany, New York
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $956

($166 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $159,680

($3,220 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 86 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • 77 percent of the most recent graduating class secured employment before graduation
  • Ranked the number-one value added college in the nation by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
  • Exceptional faculty, including experts in the fields of nephrology and infectious diseases
  • First and only pharmacy school in Vermont
  • Over 600 approved rotation sites where you can gain your pharmacy practice experience
  • Options include a brand new three-year format with a year-round schedule; and a traditional four-year option
  • Option for entrance into the pre-pharmacy prerequisites program as a freshman, with qualifying students earning a guaranteed seat in the professional phase
  • 63 credits of prerequisites
  • 167-credit, three and four-year options

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is as practical and effective as it is affordable, with a full 77 percent of the most recent graduating class securing jobs they love before even completing the program. Producing these kinds of results while still offering tuition rates lower than the regional average has earned Albany the highest value added ranking in the nation, producing graduates with relatively little debt and strong salary potential. You can choose between a four-year PharmD program offered from the school’s Albany campus in New York, complete with a student-operated pharmacy where you can gain valuable experience, or the three-year accelerated program offered at the Colchester campus in Vermont. If you have an interest in specializing in nephrology or infectious diseases, this is the program for you. While the faculty here come from diverse professional backgrounds, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has made an effort to build an in-house brain trust of faculty members with expertise in these important areas.

ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE (PR)
Wegmans School of Pharmacy
Rochester, New York
Website

Doctor of Pharmacy (On-campus)

Cost per Credit: $1,077

($45 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Estimated Total Cost of Tuition: $162,696

($204 less than the average cost of PharmD programs at private institutions in the Northeast)

Entrance Exam Requirement: PCAT

  • 93 percent three-year average pass rate on the NAPLEX
  • The fifth school of pharmacy in New York and the first of its kind in Monroe County
  • Small class sizes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7.5:1
  • PharmD/MBA dual degree option available
  • 94 percent of professors at Wegmans hold doctoral degrees
  • Program is infused with a strong commitment to service
  • Medical mission trip opportunities to places like El Salvador, India, Kenya, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana
  • Option to earn a BS in Pharmaceutical Studies en route to the PharmD
  • Early assurance admission option for qualifying freshmen who complete their prerequisites in-house
  • 62 credits of prerequisites; you can formally apply to the PharmD after completing 30
  • 151-credit, four-year program

You won’t find another program with as strong a commitment to community involvement and service as the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the St. John Fisher College Wegmans School of Pharmacy. Starting early in the program, students participate in service projects in the local community, and the service learning continues throughout the program with opportunities to incorporate hands-on service work in both electives and core pharmacy courses. You’ll even have the opportunity to take the Wegmans School of Pharmacy philosophy of community service to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, as well as on medical mission trips to Africa, Asia or Central America. With fully 30 percent of the curriculum devoted to experiential learning, it’s no surprise that graduates of this program demonstrate such impressive pass rates on the NAPLEX.

All schools shown here have been contacted and informed of their inclusion on this list. Schools that do not wish to be featured are immediately removed. School names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any trade name or trademark does not imply any association with the school.

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