MS in Pharmacy in USA – Universities, Costs & Careers

In 2024, the Pharmaceuticals market in the United States is projected to achieve a revenue of $630.30 billion as per Statista. 

Pharmaceutical Science is a branch of science that includes a range of scientific subjects like biology, and chemistry which deals with different aspects of pharmaceutical substances that are used to manufacture drugs or products of medicinal value. It takes into account the physical, chemical, biological and biomedical aspects of drug properties and actions. 

For those planning their education abroad, aApplying for a master’s in Pharmacy in the USA is a good idea, considering the attractive career prospects. The course usually requires two or three years. 

An MS in Pharmacy in the USA delves into healthcare management, prescriptions, and treatments. It is mostly taught as an MS in Pharmacology, and even as an MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences at 50+ USA universities. Tuition costs usually vary between $30,000 and $80,000 for these courses.

Reasons for Studying Master’s in Pharmacy in USA: 

A master’s in pharmacy in USA for Indian students can lead to a fruitful career. Here are the key reasons for the same: 

• The US is home to 56 highest-ranked pharmacy universities and colleges in the world. 
• As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2032, employment in healthcare occupations is expected to significantly outpace the average growth rate across all fields.
•  Approximately 1.8 million job openings are projected annually within the pharmaceutical industry, driven by both expansions in employment opportunities.
• Pharmacy degrees are expected to grow faster within the mainstream healthcare sector, especially with the pandemic and rise in medicinal, hygiene, and related requirements. 
• Investments in healthcare, medical research and development are fast-rising across federal organizations and private entities in the USA. 
• Pharmacists can find jobs in several business sectors, including medical research, pharmaceutical research and retail, hospitals and medical establishments, and more. 

The table enlists the highlights of the course MS in Pharmacy in the USA entailing the course offered, duration of the course, eligibility of the course, the exam type, average fees, and average salary packages.

Degree	M.Pharma
Courses offered	MSc in Pharmacology, MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences in USA
Term of the course	Two years
Eligibility for the course	Undergraduate degree in the required subjects (chemistry or biology) and requisite language requirements
Kind of Exam	Semester
Estimated Tuition	$30,000-$80,000 per year
Average Annual Base Salary	$95,000 (Glassdoor 2024)

Recommended Read: 50 Interesting Facts about the USA

MS in Pharmacy in USA – Top Universities 

If you want to pursue a master's in Pharmacy in the USA, here is the list of the best universities for MS in Pharmacy in the USA, per the QS World University Rankings 2024. 

Name of the university	QS World University Rankings 2024	Course duration (MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences in USA)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy	7	2 years
Columbia University	30	2 years
University of Washington	34	2 years
University of Texas at Austin	40	2 years
Purdue University	59	2 years

Read More: Reasons to Study at Northern Arizona University (NAU)

Cost of Studying MS in Pharma in USA: 

The costs of studying MS in Pharmacy in the USA are listed below: 

Application fees for admission	$45-125
TOEFL costs	$255
GRE costs	$220
Airfare	About $1,100
Application Costs for F-1 Visas	$185
Average MS in Pharmacy in USA fees	$30,000-$80,000
Accommodation costs	$1000-$5000 per month
Transportation expenditure	$100-$300 per month
Food and grocery costs	$120-$160
Health insurance charges	$450-$700
Miscellaneous expenditure	$300-$600

Important Resources to Read About USA:

Top Reasons to Study in the USA	Why study in USA?	Difference Between L1 and H-1B Visa
Study in USA After Class 12	Post Study Work Permit in the USA	Salary After MS in USA
Best Cities to Study in USA	Study in USA for Indian Students After 12th	Masters in USA Costs
Requirements for Studying in USA	Study in the USA from India	Cost of Studying in USA

Admission Procedure for Masters in Pharmacy in USA 

The admission process for enrollment in Masters in Pharmacy program in the USA differs slightly from that of the other programs. Almost in all the pharmacy degree programs offered at various US universities, all the applicants need to apply via a portal named Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). All the details related to the admissions can be found on the portal. It also tells you if the chosen pharmacy school admits non-US citizens.

All foreign applicants are advised to visit the PharmCAS Directory to determine their eligibility. 

The minimum requirement needed to fulfil by the non-U.S. applicant should meet the same minimum entry requirements (course prerequisites and standardized tests) as is fulfilled by the US applicants.

Those applicants who have their bachelor’s degree from outside the US need to submit original foreign transcripts or a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation report, depending on the policy set by the college or university. Other than this, the TOEFL exam, TSE, or IELTS (in case the primary language is not English) is required.

MS in Pharmacy in USA – Admission Requirements

Depending on the requirements, one can choose universities offering MS in pharmacy in the USA without GRE or those that insist on GRE scores. There are limited seats available for students in these courses. Universities have online application forms that one will have to fill out and submit with all necessary documents. One will also have to pay the application fees likewise.

Eligibility for Masters in Pharmacy in USA 

The Eligibility for a master’s in Pharmacy in the USA requires the fulfillment of basic requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in chemical manufacturing, biology, pharmacy, natural science, or a related discipline is required.
• A GPA score of a minimum of 3.0.
• Those who do not have English as the primary language should submit the TOEFL scores of 80-100, and IELTS scores of 6.5-7.0.

English Proficiency and other admission requirements	Minimum score requirements
TOEFL	80-100
IELTS	6.5-7.0
GPA	3

Read More: Study Options in the USA for Indian Students After 12th Commerce

Necessary Documents for Admission: 

• Official academic transcripts of candidates. 

• Two-three LORs (Letters of Recommendation). 

• TOEFL or IELTS scores. 

• SOP and CV/Resume. 

• GRE and other score sheets. 

• Proof of funds inclusive of tuition fees and living costs for at least one year. 

• Copy of valid passport. 

Jobs after M. Pharm and Salary in USA: 

As per Glassdoor, those working in the USA pharmaceuticals industry earn roughly $95,000 annually. Starting salaries are $12,000, while graduates earn even more than $140,000 per year. Getting four-five years of experience will enable a future hike in salaries as well. Pharmacists will require PharmD qualifications in the USA to practice. 

Job roles include clinical researcher, pharmacy technician, medical representative, pharmaceutical researcher, drug control director, pharmaceutical process engineer, and pharmaceutical sales representative. Along with medical research and healthcare firms, students can find employment in the food and beverage sector, hospitals, pharmacies, along with general stores. Those inclined towards research and development may choose doctoral pharmacy programs after finishing their master’s degrees.

Top Master of Pharmacy Recruiters in USA 

According to EnterpriseAppsToday, there are about 2,655 pharma companies and 368 generic pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses in the USA. Out of the top 10 pharma companies in the world, 5 companies are based in the USA. Here are the top pharma companies who are recruiting individuals who completed MS in Pharmacy in USA: 

• Pfizer Inc
• Johnson & Johnson 
• AbbVie Inc 
• Merck & Co Inc 
• Eli Lilly & Co 
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc
• Amgen Inc
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Co
• Gilead Sciences Inc
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc 

Read More: Part-Time Job Options in the USA for International Students

Visa Procedure for Students

Those choosing MS in Pharmacy in the USA have to apply for the F-1 student visa. The official requirements include the following: 

• Proof of funds equivalent to tuition costs for the first year. 

• Official bank statements and scholarship proof. 

• Fill up the SEVIS I-901 form while registering with the global database of visitors. 

• I-20 form given by the University for the F-1 visa. 

• Pay the fees of $350 as the SEVIS charge.

Once you apply with all the documents, you will have to schedule your appointment for the visa interview at your nearest US Consulate or Embassy. 

Read More: What is the acceptable study gap in the USA?

Available Scholarships for Students

Studying in the USA can be expensive, although there are multiple scholarships for global students. Some of the best options include the following:

Name of the Scholarship	Name of the Institution	Scholarship Amount/Coverage
American Association of University Women	University of Southern California	$20,000-$50,000
International Chancellor’s Graduate Scholarship	Rutger University	$10,000 per year
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	All	Coverage for flight fare, tuition and study costs, health insurance and stipend
Global Excellence Scholarship	University of Minnesota	$10,000-$15,000

Conclusion 

To pursue a career related to pharmacy, you need to complete a master's in pharmacy in the USA. Some universities offer MS in Pharmacy in the USA without the GRE, but most universities in the USA require the GRE. You can enroll in any university in the USA, depending on the duration and the requirements of the MS courses in pharmacy.

More Resources to Read About USA:

Master’s in marketing in USA	MS in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in USA	MS in Computer Science in USA
Masters in Public Health in the USA	PhD in USA for Indian Students	USA Study Visa Requirements
Cost of MS in USA	Cost of PhD in the USA	Cost of a bachelor’s degree in the USA
Study Medicine in the USA	How to Study Master’s in the USA without GRE?	F1 Visa Documents Checklist

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