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Pharmaceutical Sciences Major — Salary & ROI 2026

Study of drug design, development, and evaluation for treating disease.

Starting Salary

$55K

median

Mid-Career

$95K

salary

ROI Payback

5 yrs

avg payback

Unemployment

2.8%

rate

Pharmaceutical Sciences Overview

Study of drug design, development, and evaluation for treating disease.

Category

STEM

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Graduation Rate

68%

Enrollment Trend

stable

Online Available

Limited

Underemployment

15%

Lifetime Premium

$700K

Female Graduates

55%

Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree ROI Calculator

Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.

0 to $40K/year in aid

Est. Total Cost

$20,700

4-year tuition

Net Cost (w/ aid)

$20,700

after scholarships

ROI Payback

1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return

$679,300

Lifetime earnings premium ($700,000) minus net degree cost ($20,700)

Pharmaceutical Sciences Salary Progression

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)$55,000
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)$95,000
Late Career (15+ yrs)$120,000

Common Pharmaceutical Sciences Careers

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Clinical Research Associate

Top Employers

PfizerMerckJohnson & JohnsonAbbVieEli Lilly

Skills You'll Learn

PharmacologyDrug FormulationClinical TrialsRegulatory Affairs

Top Schools for Pharmaceutical Sciences

#1

University of Michigan

#2

UNC Chapel Hill

#3

University of Minnesota

#4

Ohio State

#5

Purdue

Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree FAQ

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