Pharmacy is the science that involves the preparation of drugs, and its study primarily focuses on chemistry and pharmaceutics. A pharmacist is a licensed professional specializing in information regarding medicines, preparation methods, dosages, and side effects.
One must complete the Doctor of Pharmacy program to be eligible to sit for the licensure examination for registering as a pharmacist. A bachelor of science degree in pharmacy provides a pathway into a Pharm.D. program.
With a master's degree in pharmacy, one may work in the research, production, and testing of medicines. The list of Top Pharmacy universities in the USA is given below:
|
Rank |
University |
Overall Score |
|
1 |
Harvard University |
95.5 |
|
2 |
Monash University |
92.9 |
|
3 |
University of Oxford |
92.7 |
|
4 |
UCL |
90.4 |
|
5 |
Johns Hopkins University |
88.1 |
|
6 |
University of Cambridge |
87.8 |
|
7 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
87.3 |
|
8 |
University of Nottingham |
86.8 |
|
9 |
University of California, San Francisco |
86.7 |
|
10 |
Karolinska Institutet |
85.9 |
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Bachelor of Pharmacy / Doctor of Pharmacy
The undergraduate pharmacy program is available as bachelor of pharmacy/ pharmaceutical sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
A bachelor of pharmacy degree will not make a graduate eligible for a licensure examination to be a pharmacist. However, it will make a pathway to get into a PharmD program or a master's in the pharmacy program. Some universities also offer pre-pharma as a concentration for a bachelor of science in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc.
The doctor of Pharmacy program is a professional program and is very demanding in terms of entry requirements, especially for international students. The tuition fee for both programs ranges from $12,000 to $75,000 per year.
|
University |
Program |
Course Duration |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
Doctor of Pharmacy |
4 years |
|
University of Washington |
Doctor of Pharmacy |
4 years |
|
Arizona State University |
Bachelor of Science in Biology: Pharmacology and Toxicology |
4 years |
|
The University of Arizona |
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science |
4 years |
|
Doctor of Pharmacy |
6 years |
|
|
Colorado State University |
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – Pre-Pharmacy |
4 years |
|
University of Delaware |
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: Pharmaceutical Sciences |
3 years |
|
South Dakota State University |
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science |
4 years |
|
Doctor of Pharmacy |
4 years |
|
|
University of Dayton |
Bachelor of Science in Medical Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
4 years |
|
Cleveland State University |
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science |
4 years |
Admission requirement for PharmD
- Completion of all the pre-requisite courses generally covered by a three years bachelor's in fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc.
- Some universities require the international applicant to have obtained a license to practice as a pharmacist in their home country
- An overall GPA of 2.5 or more.
- Pre-requisite courses required for entry into the program must have been completed no more than 5 -7 years before application.
Admission requirement for Bachelor of Science degree:
- Must have completed higher secondary education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
English Language Proficiency Requirement:
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Bachelor of Pharmacy / Doctor of Pharmacy (Tuition Fee)
|
University |
Tuition Fee Per year |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
$39,000 |
|
University of Washington |
$75,440 |
|
Arizona State University |
$31,200 |
|
The University of Arizona |
$47,600 |
|
Colorado State University |
$28,400 |
|
University of Delaware |
$34,800 |
|
South Dakota State University |
$12,800 - $20,556 |
|
University of Dayton |
$44,890 |
|
Cleveland State University |
$17,500 |
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Master of Pharmacy
A master's degree in pharmacy is a 1.5 to 2 years course in the USA. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $12,000 to $50,000 per year. Applicants are not required to be a pharmacist to apply for a master of pharmacy program but are generally required to have a background in biology, chemistry, medicine, etc.
|
University |
Program |
|
South Dakota State University |
Master of Science in the Pharmaceutical Science |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
MS in Integrated Pharmaceutical Science |
|
University of Washington |
Master of Science in Pharmacy |
|
Arizona State University |
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science |
|
Colorado State University |
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science |
Document Checklist
- Official Transcript
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendations
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Academic Requirement
- A 4 years bachelor's degree with a background in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, medical science, or pharmacy.
- A minimum GPA of 2.8 to 3.0 overall.
English Language Requirement
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each section.
- A TOEFL score of 79 to 90 overall
- A PTE score of 58 to 60 overall.
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Master of Pharmacy (Tuition Fee)
|
University |
Tuition Fee Per Year |
|
South Dakota State University |
$15,984 |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
$50,000 |
|
University of Washington |
$30,912 |
|
Arizona State University |
$33,500 |
|
Colorado State University |
$12,114 |
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Ph.D. in Pharmacy
The doctoral program in pharmacy is generally a 4 to 6 years program. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $15,000 to $50,000 per year. However, students of a doctoral program are generally supported through scholarships, grants, and teaching and research assistants.
After completing the program, graduates are eligible for faculty positions in universities, high-level positions in research facilities, government offices, etc.
|
University |
Program |
|
South Dakota State University |
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacy |
|
University of Washington |
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics |
|
Arizona State University |
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology |
Document Checklist
- Official Transcript
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendations
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Academic Requirement
- Completion of 4-year of bachelor's degree or a master's degree in fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, etc.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
English Language Requirement
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each section
- A TOEFL score of 79 to 90 overall
- A PTE score of 60 overall.
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Scholarship
The following table provides a glimpse of scholarships awarded to international students for the Bachelor of Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacy, and PharmD programs. Besides these scholarships, graduate students are often offered teaching and research assistant positions, including tuition waivers and stipends.
|
University |
Awards |
Amount |
|
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
Scholarship for Highest Distinction in Academic Performance |
$2000 - $4000 |
|
Scholarship for High Distinction in Academic Performance |
$1000 - $2000 |
|
|
University of Washington |
School of Pharmacy Scholarships |
$1000 - $3000 |
|
Arizona State University |
Rodriguez Kennedy International Student Scholarship |
Varies |
|
The University of Arizona |
First-Year Global Wildcat Award |
$5500 to $22000 |
|
University of Dayton |
Dean’s Merit Scholarship |
$83,000 - $62,000 |
Top Pharmacy University in the USA: Job Scope
With a license to practice pharmacy in the USA, the pharmacist can work for hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, research, etc. However, with a master's degree in pharmaceutical science, one may not be eligible to practice as a pharmacist but can find a job in research facilities, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, etc.
The average salary of a Doctor of Pharmacy in the USA is $122,000 per year, and that of a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science is $75,000 per year.
|
Role |
Range of Salary |
Average Salary |
|
Pharmacist |
$90,000 - $136,000 |
$115,894 |
|
Pharmacy Manager |
$115,000 - $148,000 |
$135,721 |
|
Clinical Pharmacist |
$101,000 - $141,000 |
$119,241 |
|
Medical Science Liaison |
$122,000 - $184,000 |
$153,769 |
|
Staff Pharmacist |
$90,000 - $130,000` |
$112,258 |
|
Oncology Pharmacist |
$101,000 - $143,000 |
$121,425 |
|
Medical Writer |
$62,000 - $121,000 |
$79,867 |
|
Research Scientist |
$47,000 - $97,000 |
$69,789 |
|
Chemist |
$44,000 - $77,000 |
$58,261 |
|
Analytical Chemist |
$42,000 - $86,000 |
$59,586 |
|
Pharmacy Supervisor |
$87,000 - $182,000 |
$125,195 |
