Pharmacoeconomics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmacoeconomics is an advanced interdisciplinary field that examines how pharmaceutical products, services, and healthcare interventions influence the broader healthcare system. By integrating economic evaluation with policy analysis, this program equips professionals to assess the cost-effectiveness, value, and real-world impact of medical treatments and health strategies on organizations, populations, and public health outcomes.
- Health Economics: Explores the allocation of resources within healthcare, analyzing how decisions about funding, access, and delivery affect population health and system efficiency.
- Pharmacoeconomics: Focuses on measuring the economic impact of pharmaceuticals, including cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and cost-utility analyses to guide prescribing and formulary decisions.
- Health Care Systems: Studies the structure, function, and performance of healthcare delivery networks, including public, private, and integrated models across different regions and settings.
- Health Care Organization and Management: Addresses leadership, operational planning, and strategic decision-making within hospitals, clinics, and health service providers.
- Statistics and Biostatistics: Applies quantitative methods to analyze clinical and population-level health data, supporting evidence-based conclusions in research and policy.
- Outcomes Research: Investigates the actual effects of medical treatments on patient health, quality of life, and long-term functional status in real-world settings.
- Health Care Policy: Analyzes the development, implementation, and evaluation of regulations and frameworks that shape pharmaceutical access, reimbursement, and public health initiatives.
- Pharmacy Services: Examines the role of pharmacists and pharmacy operations in medication management, patient safety, and optimizing therapeutic outcomes.
- Pharmaceutical Industry Operations: Covers the business, regulatory, and logistical aspects of drug development, manufacturing, distribution, and market access strategies.
Pharmacoeconomics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmacoeconomics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmacoeconomics degrees, including Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, Medical and Health Services Managers and Economists. 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 823,860 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Pharmacoeconomics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $83,893 in Nebraska to $155,028 in District of Columbia—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 823,860 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 Pharmacoeconomics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Pharmacoeconomics 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 Pharmacoeconomics is found at University of Southern California (USC) (54 graduates), MCPHS University (MCPHS) (21 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (11 graduates), University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (10 graduates), and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 150 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 Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
11 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Master's
|
8 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | unthsc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmacoeconomics programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmacoeconomics degree?
Salaries for Pharmacoeconomics graduates vary by role and location. Economics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $119,980 annually, while Medical and Health Services Managers earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $155,028 compared to $83,893 in Nebraska. Approximately 823,860 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 Pharmacoeconomics programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Pharmacoeconomics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Southern California (USC) (54 graduates), MCPHS University (MCPHS) (21 graduates), and Rutgers University, New Brunswick (11 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 Pharmacoeconomics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5 in 2010 to a peak of 152 in 2020, before declining slightly to 150 in 2023-24. This represents a 2,900% 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 Pharmacoeconomics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Economists. Related occupations employ approximately 823,860 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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