Which are the top pharmacy schools in U.S?

*Updated for 2016*

Whilst there are so many pharmacy schools in the USA, it is prudent to appreciate the fact that not every pharmacy school out there has the capacity to give you the education and skills you need to become a sought after PharmD grad. Below is a list of the top pharmacy schools in U.S.

Here is a detailed list of pharmacy school rankings as released by (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) AACP in 2016 which is well worth reading, especially if you don’t know which pharmacy school is best poised to give you the pre-requisite education and skills that you need to become a top-notch pharmacist.

Cream of the crop: 1-5 top pharmacy schools in U.S

1. Purdue University

Taking out number 1 position of top pharmacy schools in U.S. The university’s College of Pharmacy has consistently been ranked among the top 10 best pharmacy schools in the country for the last 5 years in a row. The college isn’t only one of the best pharmacy institutions in the country, but it offers more pharmacy programs than any other pharmacy schools in the country and the world by extension. Even though the school was founded in 1884, that hasn’t stopped it from boasting state-of-the –art facilities and exceptional recreational facilities. By the virtue of graduating from this institution, you are a step closer to securing a well-paying job with some of the best employers on the market today. Tuition fee varies from one program to the other. Some programs cost more than others, while others are relatively cheaper.

2. University of California

Located in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1864, The University of California is the second largest single employer in San Francisco. In addition, it is the only campus in California that is fully dedicated to health sciences. The university’s School of Pharmacy offers a wide array of health programs including among them Doctor of Pharmacy and degree programs in pharmaceutical care and policy research .The total cost of studying in this institution was $35,382 in 2013, including the cost of attendance, tuition, fees and student services. However, tuition free varies from one program to the other and among in-state residents and out-of –state residents as well. Typically, in-state residents pay more than their out-of-state counterparts.

3. University of Illinois

The university’s College of Pharmacy sits on 24o plus acres. It also houses 15 academic colleges among them the College of Medicine. By the virtue of being founded in 1859, then it means that The College of Medicine is the university’s oldest academic unit as well as one of the nation’s oldest pharmacy institutions. The US News &World Report ranked The College of Pharmacy among the top 10 best pharmacy colleges in 2014. Programs offered here include graduate programs in pharmaceutical sciences, degree programs in pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy among other programs. Apart from the college being ranked among the top pharmacy colleges in the US, it is also one of the cheapest and most affordable pharmacy institutions in the country. In 2013, graduate tuition fees were only $5,533 for in-state residents, while the tuition fee for out-of state residents was $11,532. This college is worthy of its top pharmacy schools in U.S positon.

4. The Ohio State University

Founded in 1870, the university is among the country’s top 20 public universities, going by the list of best public universities in the USA that was released by US News & World Report in 2013. The university’s College of Pharmacy boasts of being among the few pharmacy schools with a modern medical center. The college consists various academic divisions namely pharmaceuticals & pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy practice & administration, medical chemistry & pharmacognosy and pharmacology. The institution offers degree programs in pharmaceutical studies, M.S in community care, Doctor of Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy. In 2013, the college’s tuition fee was $20,472 for in-state residents and $22,700 for out-of state residents. All fees are included in the tuition costs.

5. University of Minnesota

Founded in 1851, the university is home to over 69,000 students. The university’s College of Pharmacy is the only pharmacy institution in the state. The college was ranked among the best pharmacy schools in the nation by AACP (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) in 2014. More than two-thirds of the active pharmacists in the state have received education and training from this college. Among the programs that are offered in this college include M.S. programs Pharm. D. degree , Ph.D. programs in Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry and Experimental Pharmacotherapy among other programs offered here. Tuition fee for this college was approximately $ 11,892 for in-state residents and $17,592 for out-of-the state residents in 2014.

The runners up: 6-10 top pharmacy schools in U.S

6. South Dakota State University

The South Dakota State University’s College of Pharmacy has a reputation of providing students with a world-class resource center and state-of-the-art facilities. Numerous surveys have placed the university among the nation’s top 20 pharmacy colleges, thanks to its ability of providing learners with a conducive environment for exceptional high quality learning . One of the things that have earned the college great reputation is its ability to provide learners with a patient-centered learning, which is definitely crucial to equipping them with the skills and education needed to become top-notch pharmacists. Tuition fee for students pursuing degree in pharmacy is $17,065 per year for in-state residents, while the tuition fee for out-of- state residents is $23,380 per year.

7. Florida A&M University

Even though the university’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have minimal vacancies for admission, this has however not stopped it from featuring in the list of the country’s best pharmacy colleges. In-state residents have to part with an annual tuition fee of $19,544, while their out-of state residents have to part with an annual tuition fee of $31,146. Students who have graduated from the college don’t only stand high chances of securing well paying jobs in the US, but they also stand high chances of securing lucrative jobs in different places across the globe as well. The college offers programs that are tailored at equipping students with skills and knowledge on how to use problem solving skills as well as critical thinking skills for purposes of finding solutions for nearly all sorts of health care problems they are faced with.

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