Pharmaceutics and Drug Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design is a specialized field dedicated to the science and engineering of transforming active pharmaceutical ingredients into safe, effective, and stable dosage forms. This discipline ensures that medications maintain integrity during storage and transport while delivering precise therapeutic effects within the human body. Students engage in rigorous study of molecular behavior, delivery systems, and the biological response to drug administration.
- Biopharmaceutics: Examines how a drug’s physical and chemical properties influence its absorption, distribution, and overall performance in the body.
- Pharmacokinetics: Studies the movement of drugs through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion over time.
- Pharmacodynamics: Focuses on the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action at target sites.
- Physical Pharmacy: Explores the physical and chemical principles governing drug formulation, stability, and delivery systems.
- Drug Design and Development: Involves the strategic creation of new drug candidates using molecular modeling, structure-activity relationships, and preclinical testing.
- Pharmacological Biotechnology: Integrates biological technologies to develop advanced therapeutics, including biologics and gene-based treatments.
- Drug-Host Interactions: Investigates how drugs interact with biological systems, including cellular receptors, enzymes, and immune responses.
- Drug Metabolism and Excretion: Analyzes the enzymatic processes that modify drugs in the body and the pathways by which they are eliminated.
- Quantitative Drug Measurement: Applies analytical techniques to precisely measure drug concentrations in biological matrices for efficacy and safety assessment.
- Enzymatic Transformations: Studies the role of enzymes in altering drug structure, affecting both activity and toxicity.
- Chemical Separations and Spectroscopy: Utilizes advanced analytical methods to purify, identify, and characterize drug compounds and their metabolites.
- Immunology: Explores immune system responses to pharmaceuticals, particularly relevant in the development of vaccines and biologic therapies.
- Statistical Analysis in Pharmacology: Employs quantitative methods to interpret experimental data, support drug development decisions, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmaceutics and Drug Design degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Biochemists and Biophysicists and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 420,540 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists 19-1021 | $103,650 | $64,890 - $168,900 | 34,520 | $49.83 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $136,330 in District of Columbia—a 183% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arkansas, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 420,540 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Pharmaceutics and Drug Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 36 institutions offering Pharmaceutics and Drug Design programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Pharmaceutics and Drug Design is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (74 graduates), Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (68 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (50 graduates), South Dakota State University (SDSU) (42 graduates), and University of New Mexico (UNM), Main Campus (39 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 603 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
74 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
42 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
38 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Rootstown, Ohio | Public | neomed.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Master's
|
18 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Master's
|
13 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Tufts University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | unthsc.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | web.musc.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Butler University |
Master's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmaceutics and Drug Design programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmaceutics and Drug Design degree?
Salaries for Pharmaceutics and Drug Design graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Biochemists and Biophysicists earn around $103,650. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $136,330 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 420,540 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Pharmaceutics and Drug Design programs?
Currently 36 accredited institutions offer Pharmaceutics and Drug Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (74 graduates), Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (68 graduates), and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (50 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Pharmaceutics and Drug Design growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 379 in 2010 to 603 in 2023-24. This represents a 59% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Pharmaceutics and Drug Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Biochemists and Biophysicists, and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. Related occupations employ approximately 420,540 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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