Top 25 Private Pharmacy Schools in the US

In preparing our inaugural list of the top private pharmacy schools in the US, we considered dozens of schools in the US that offered pharmacy programs.  Our goal with this list is to give students access to information so they can make informed decisions about the schools they choose to attend and the programs they pursue. Our motivation for publishing these rankings is simple. We frequently receive emails from young people -many of whom are already working as pharmacy technicians- asking for advice as to which pharmacy schools they should consider. Our hope is that this list is a starting point for aspiring pharmacists to discover the schools that are the best fit for them. 

The criteria we used in making this list consists, in no particular order, of the following: academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program and faculty, size and scope of the pharm school class, and value as it relates to tuition. All data used on our rankings was obtained from publicly available sources.

Like any list, ours is not perfect and is open for debate. There is no single opinion that trumps all when it comes to which school is the “best”. Ultimately every student has different needs regarding the type and academic rigor of a program, campus culture, as well as cost, lifestyle, and career focus. Hence the notion that we consider these lists a starting point for aspiring pharmacists in the search for the appropriate program that meets their needs. 

1. University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California
The University of Southern California (USC) was founded in 1880. When it opened, the University had just over 50 students. Today, USC sits on a 226-acre campus and it is home to 40,000 students. USC offers more than 500 academic programs throughout 22 academies, colleges, and schools. This includes the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.

Established in 1905, the USC School of Pharmacy is considered one of the best in the nation. Home to nearly 1,000 students, the School offers a wide variety of single and dual degree programs. Single degree offerings include the Pharm.D., a Ph.D. in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics; Master’s and Doctoral programs in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy; a M.S. in Management and Drug Development; M.S., Progressive M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Health Economics; a M.S. in Healthcare Decision Analysis, and a Pre-pharmacy program.

The USC School of Pharmacy also offers the nation’s only Professional Doctorate in Regulatory Science (D.R.Sc.). Dual degree offerings include a Pharm.D./MBA., Pharm.D./J.D., Pharm.D./Ph.D., Pharm.D./MPH, and a Pharm.D./M.S. in Regulatory Science, Gerontology, or Global Medicine.

Tuition for the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy is $46,862 per academic school year.

2. Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Omaha, Nebraska
Creighton University is a member of a coveted collection of just 28 Jesuit schools in the U.S. Established in 1878, Creighton University sits on a 138-acre campus near Omaha’s downtown business district. Home to 7,700 students, the school ranks among the Best Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, and it offers more than 150 programs across nine colleges and schools. Among them is the top-ranked School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP) was established in 1905 when Creighton University purchased the Creighton College of Pharmacy. The School, which accepts just 115 campus pharmacy students and 75 distance pharmacy students each year, consistently ranks among the Top Private University Pharmacy Programs in the country.

Offerings include the Pharm.D. degree, Clinical Doctorate degrees in Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Physical Therapy (DPT), and a B.S. in Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Tuition for Creighton University School of Pharmacy is $32,428 for the first, second or third year and $48,642.00 for the fourth year (3 semesters: Summer, Fall, & Spring). Tuition is the same for online programs.

3. Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Macon, Georgia
Founded in 1833, Mercer University consistently ranks among the nation’s leading schools by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. The school, which sits on a 150-acre campus, is home to around 8,341 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 11 colleges and schools. This includes the College of Pharmacy.

The Mercer University College of Pharmacy was established in 1903 as the Southern School of Pharmacy. Home to more than 500 students, the College offers the Pharm.D. and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The College also offers the dual Pharm.D./Ph.D. and a Pharm.D./MBA Degree.

Tuition rates for Mercer University College of Pharmacy programs are $645 per credit hour, $1,935 per 3 credit hours, $3,870 per 6 credit hours, and $5,805 per nine credit hours.

4. Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, North Carolina
Established in 1887 as Buies Creek Academy, Campbell University began with just 92 students. Today, the 850-acre campus houses 6,200 students enrolled in more than 100 degree programs. Roughly a dozen of these programs are offered at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.

The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences has one of the largest pharmacy student populations in the U.S. Home to more than 1,300 students and a faculty of 78, the College offers the Pharm.D., a M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a Pre-pharmacy program, and several dual degrees. Dual degree offerings include a Pharm.D./MBA, Pharm.D./MSCR, and a Pharm.D./MSPS.

Tuition for the Pharm.D. program is $16,200 per semester and $700 per credit hour for M.S. programs. Undergraduate tuition is $16,650 per semester.

5. University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, California
University of the Pacific is a nationally ranked University with a student population of 7,000. The school, which sits on a 175-acre main campus, offers more than 80 majors and programs of study. Additional campuses are located in Sacramento and San Francisco, California.

The University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences received accreditation in 1959. Today, the School offers a variety of degree programs for aspiring pharmacists. Offerings include the Pharm.D., a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemical Sciences, and M.S. degrees in Pharmaceutical Chemical Sciences and Industrial Pharmaceutics. Joint degree offerings include the Pharm.D./MBA, Pharm.D./Ph.D., and Pharm.D./M.S.

Tuition for the Pharm.D. program is $57,975 per year for years 1 and 2 (3 trimesters each) and $38,650 for the third year (2 trimesters). Tuition for other pharmacy programs is $21,085 per semester/term (16-18 units).