Drug Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Drug Development is a specialized academic field dedicated to advancing the creation and delivery of pharmaceutical therapies through the integration of scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, and industrial strategy. This program equips students with the multidisciplinary expertise needed to navigate the complex lifecycle of drug innovation—from early-stage research to market-ready therapeutics.
- Industrial microbiology: The study of microorganisms used in large-scale pharmaceutical production, focusing on strain optimization and bioprocess efficiency.
- Plasmids and expression vectors: Molecular tools engineered to introduce and express specific genes in host organisms for therapeutic protein production.
- Protein chemistry: The analysis of protein structure, function, and stability critical to the design of biologic drugs and biosimilars.
- Assay and evaluation: Development and application of analytical methods to measure drug potency, efficacy, and safety in preclinical and clinical settings.
- Drug synthesis and purification: Techniques for constructing complex pharmaceutical molecules and isolating them with high purity for clinical use.
- Quality control: Systematic processes ensuring consistency, safety, and regulatory compliance throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
- Industrial management: Strategic oversight of production operations, supply chains, and resource allocation within pharmaceutical environments.
- Production security: Protocols and safeguards designed to protect sensitive processes, intellectual assets, and product integrity from internal and external threats.
- Patent procedures and intellectual property regulations: Legal frameworks governing the protection, documentation, and enforcement of novel drug innovations.
- Patent enforcement and defense: Legal strategies for protecting proprietary drug technologies and responding to infringement claims.
- Research design and testing: Methodologies for planning, executing, and analyzing scientific investigations to support drug development and regulatory submissions.
Drug Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Drug Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Drug Development degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Industrial Production Managers and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 564,970 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Industrial Production Managers 11-3051 | $121,440 | $74,900 - $197,310 | 234,380 | $58.39 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Drug Development Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $91,967 in Indiana to $162,467 in Massachusetts—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 564,970 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 Drug Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 12 institutions offering Drug Development 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 Drug Development is found at Temple University (61 graduates), Campbell University (39 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (34 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (25 graduates), and University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 244 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple University |
Master's
|
61 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
34 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Brightpoint Community College |
Other Award
|
16 | Chester, Virginia | Public | brightpoint.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
12 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Master's
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
4 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Drug Development programs
How much can I earn with a Drug Development degree?
Salaries for Drug Development graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Industrial Production Managers earn around $121,440. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $162,467 compared to $91,967 in Indiana. Approximately 564,970 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 Drug Development programs?
Currently 12 accredited institutions offer Drug Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Temple University (61 graduates), Campbell University (39 graduates), and University of California (UCSD), San Diego (34 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 Drug Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 264 in 2010 to 244 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Drug Development degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Industrial Production Managers, and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 564,970 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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