Of all college list makers, U.S. News & World Report is probably the most well-known. The magazine last ranked schools of pharmacy in 2008 and re-published this ranking for 2010. Its rankings are based on peer reviews and academic experts' opinions. The magazine's choices, in order from the top, are: University of California-San Francisco, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Minnesota, University of Texas-Austin, Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Washington, Purdue University, University of Arizona, University of Florida, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Maryland-Baltimore and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Certain schools come up consistently when people talk about pharmacy graduate schools. An online list of the most popular schools, compiled by Campus Explorer, includes: South Dakota State University, University of Toledo, Campbell University (North Carolina), Northeastern University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Westchester University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University, Temple University, University of Kansas, University of Rhode Island, Auburn University, Creighton University, Duquesne University, Idaho State University and Texas Tech University.
Not described as a "best" or "top" list, this is a list of schools that offers graduate degrees in pharmaceutical science, not just general pharmacy degrees. The terms are often used interchangeably, but a degree in pharmaceutical science prepares for research into the action and delivery of pharmaceuticals. The list includes: Rush University in Illinois, Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, St. Johns University of New York, University of Virginia, Drexel University, Shenandoah University, University of Georgia, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University, Northeastern University, Virginia Commonwealth University., State University of New York-Buffalo, University of Florida, Temple University and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
Schools that made more than one list are the University of Florida, Northeastern University, Ohio State University and Temple University. These schools are popular with students and highly ranked. Some of the other previously mentioned schools have doctorate degrees in pharmaceuticals, but not master's programs.