AACP Profile of Pharmacy Students Fall 2024
UP – Attrition Rate, Faculty, Applications,
DOWN – Enrollment, Students & PharmD Degrees Conferred
Student Applications, Enrollments and Degrees Conferred
Profile (The number of faculty increased 3.22% and students enrolled decreased 4.55% over fall 2023!)
2024 – 6,400 Faculty, 42,000 Students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,500 individuals pursuing graduate study.
2023 – 6,200 faculty, 44,000 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,400 individuals pursuing graduate study.
2022 – 6,400 faculty, 47,500 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,300 individuals pursuing graduate study.
2021 – 7,000 faculty, 53,000 students enrolled in professional programs, and 7,000 individuals pursuing graduate study.
2020 – 6,700 faculty, 58,000 students enrolled in professional programs, and 7,000 individuals pursuing graduate study.
2019 – 6,700 faculty, 61,000 students enrolled in professional programs, and 6,000 individuals pursuing graduate study
2018 – 6,800 faculty, 63,200 students enrolled in professional programs, and 6,000 individuals pursuing graduate study
2017 – 6,600 faculty, 63,800 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,800 individuals pursuing graduate study
2016 – 6,600 faculty, 64,300 students enrolled in professional programs, and 6,000 individuals pursuing graduate study
2015 – 6,600 faculty, 64,400 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,800 individuals pursuing graduate study
2014 – 6,600 faculty, 64,800 students enrolled in professional programs, and 4,900 individuals pursuing graduate study
2013 – 6,400 faculty, 63,800 students enrolled in professional programs, and 4,800 individuals pursuing graduate study
2012 – 6,500 faculty, 62,500 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study
Fall Enrollment (The number of first professional year enrollments decreased 4.7% over fall 2023!)
2024 – 42,312 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 4.7% decrease from fall 2023. From September 2023 through August 2024, one hundred and forty (140) colleges and schools reported receiving 36,833 applications to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs. Numbers reported represent the number of applications, not applicants, and may represent multiple applications by individual applicants.
2023 – 44,403 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 6.7% decrease from fall 2022
2022 – 47,592 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 11% decrease from fall 2021
2021 – 53,516 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 6.7% decrease from fall 2020
2020 – 57,375 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 5.4% decrease from fall 2019
2019 – 60,594 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 5.5% decrease from fall 2018
2018 – 62,504 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 0.4% decrease from fall 2017
2017 – 63,087 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs, 0.8% decrease from fall 2016
2016 – 63,464 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs
2015 – 63,460 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs
2014 – 63,927 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs
2013 – 62,743 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs
2012 – 61,275 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.1) as the first professional degree programs
Number of accredited U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy
2024 – As of Fall 2024 there were 142 U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy with accredited (full, candidate and precandidate status) professional degree programs. One hundred and forty Institutions submitted data. Numbers reported represent the number of applications, not applicants, and may represent multiple applications by individual applicants. The Undergraduate and Professional Pharmacy Degrees Conferred Survey 2023-24 and the Graduate Pharmacy Degrees Conferred Survey 2023-24 were completed by one hundred and thirty-eight institutions (97.2 percent response).The Enrollment Survey — Fall 2024 Professional Pharmacy Degree Programs and the Enrollment Survey — Fall 2024 Graduate Degree Programs in the Pharmaceutical Sciences were completed by one hundred and thirty-eight institutions (97.2 percent response).
2023 – 142 U.S colleges and schools of pharmacy (141 submitted data) with accredited (full, candidate and precandidate status) professional degree programs.
2022 – 142 U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy (138 submitted data) with accredited (full, candidate and precandidate status) professional degree programs.
2021 – 142 U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy (140 submitted data) with accredited (full, candidate and precandidate status) professional degree programs.
2020 – 144 (141 submitted data) / Accredited 141 full, candidate and pre-candidate status. Due to some accreditation changes for three schools in 2020 (California Health Sciences, Hampton, and Midwestern), this year’s report lists a total of 144 colleges and schools.)
2019 – 144 (144 submitted data) / Accredited 144 (Full-132, Candidate Status-8, Probation-3) / Pre- candidate Status 1 (American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy) & Discontinued (South Carolina College of Pharmacy)
2018 – 143 (143 submitted data) / Accredited 143 (Full-133, Candidate Status-8, Probation-2) / Pre- candidate Status 1 (William Carey University School of Pharmacy)
2017 – 142 (140 submitted data) / Accredited 138 (Full or Candidate Status) / Pre-candidate Status 4
2016 – 138 (137 submitted data) / Accredited 131 (Full or Candidate Status 6) / Pre-candidate Status 4
2015 – 135 (133 submitted data)
2014 – 133 (131 submitted data)
2013 – 130 (127 submitted data)
2012 – 129 (127 submitted data)
Applications (The number of applications increased 8.58% over fall 2023!)
2024 – 36,833 8.58% Increase over fall 2023. In 2023-24, there were 36,833 applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy. Numbers reported represent the number of applications, not applicants, and may represent multiple applications by individual applicants.
2023 – 33,922 5.11% Decrease over fall 2022. Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy.
2022 – 35,749 12% Decrease over fall 2021. Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy.
2021 – 40,552 .004% Increase over fall 2020. Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy.
2020 – 40,392 20.55% Decrease over 2019! Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy.
2019 – 50,842 15.32% Decrease over 2018 AND 1 More School since 2018! Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy
2018 – 60,042 17.68% Decrease over 2017 AND 1 More School since 2017! Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy
2017 – 72,941 7.06% Decrease over 2016 AND 4 More Schools since 2016! Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy
2016 – 78,514 2.53% Increase over 2015 BUT 4 More Schools since 2015! Applications submitted to first professional degree programs at schools and colleges of pharmacy
2015 – 76,525 10.7% Decrease! Applications received by colleges and schools of pharmacy for every one entering student enrolled is no longer being tracked and/or published
2014 – 85,754 5.5 applications were received by colleges and schools of pharmacy for every one entering student enrolled in fall 2014
2013 – 87,956 5.6 applications were received by colleges and schools of pharmacy for every one entering student enrolled in fall 2013
2012 – 99,821 6.4 applications were received by colleges and schools of pharmacy for every one entering student enrolled in fall 2012
2011 – 112,000 Approx. This ratio for 2010-11 was 7.0 applications for every one entering student in fall 2011
PharmD Degrees conferred (The number of PharmD Degrees conferred decreased 9.91%!)
2024 – 11,386 9.91% Decrease
2023 – 12,639 5.13% Decrease
2022 – 13,323 6.33% Decrease
2021 – 14,223 0.7% Decrease
2020 – 14,320 3.25% Decrease
2019 – 14,800 0.705% Decrease
2018 – 14,905 2.8% Increase. This is the largest number of degrees conferred in the history of pharmacy education
2017 – 14,502 0.0372% Decrease
2016 – 14,556 0.0386% Increase
2015 – 13,994 1.1 % Increase
2014 – 13,838 4.8 % Increase
2013 – 13,207 3.8% Increase
2012 – 12,719 6.6% Increase
2011 – 11,931
Attrition Rate (Increasing for the last 20+ years from near zero in the early 2000s!)
2024 – 19.7% The attrition rate includes academic dismissals, student withdrawals, and delayed graduations. Notably, the class of 2024 will have matriculated during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
2023 – 15.3%
2022 – 13.3%
2021 – 13.1%
2020 – 12.5%
2019 – 12.6%
2018 – 12.1%
2017 – 12.1%
2016 – 12.0%
2015 – 11.6%
2014 – 10.3%
2013 – 11.1%
2012 – 10.2%
PharmD degrees conferred to individuals already holding a professional baccalaureate in pharmacy
2024 – No data available*
2023 – 189 Decreased by 6.9% from 2021 – 2022
2022 – 203 Increased by 9.1% from 2020 – 2021
2021 – 186 Increased by 6.3% from 2019 – 2020
2020 – 175 Decreased by 43.9% from 2018-19
2019 – 312 Increased by 52.2% from 2017-18
2018 – 205 Decreased by 5.5% from 2016-17
2017 – 217 Decreased by 33.5% from 2015-16
2016 – 326 Increased by 16.3 percent from 2014-15
2015 – 273 Decreased by 19.5 percent from 2013-14
2014 – 339
2013 – 344
2012 – 444
Number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D.
2024 – No data available*
2023 – 483 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. programs decreased to 483 from 571 in fall 2022.
2022 – 571 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. programs decreased to 571 from 582 in fall 2021.
2021 – 582 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. programs decreased 9% from fall 2020
2020 – 640 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. programs increased to 640 from 622 in fall 2019.
2019 – 622 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. 2 programs decreased by another 18.6% to 622 from 764 enrolled in fall 2018
2018 – 764 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. 2 programs decreased by another 1.2% to 764 from 773 enrolled in fall 2017
2017 – 773 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. 2 programs decreased by another 8.0% to 773 from 840 enrolled in fall 2016
2016 – 840 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. 2 programs decreased by 10.3% to 840 from 936 enrolled in fall 2015
2015 – 936 The number of individuals enrolled in postbaccalaureate Pharm.D. 2 programs increased slightly to 936 from 935 enrolled in fall 2014
2014 – 935 The number of Pharm.D.2 students enrolled (n=935) decreased by 16.4 percent from fall 2013
2013 – 1,118 The number of Pharm.D.2 students enrolled (n=1,118) decreased by 11.3 percent from fall 2012
2012 – 1,260 The number of Pharm.D.2 students enrolled (n=1,260) decreased by 6.0 percent from fall 2011
M.S. degrees conferred
2024 – No data available*
2023 – 1,888 The number of M.S. degrees conferred increased to 1,888 from 1,552 in 2021–22 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n= 657) increased 5.5 percent from 2021–22.
2022 – 1,552 The number of M.S. degrees increased to 1,552 from 1,403 in 2020–21 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n= 623) increased 4.7 percent from 2020–21.
2021 – 1,403 The number of M.S. degrees increased to 1,403 from 1,130 in 2019–20 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n= 595) increased 12.5 percent from 2019–20
2020 – 1,130 The number of M.S. degrees increased to 1,130 from 1,128 in 2018–19 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n =529) decreased 11.8 percent from 2018–19.
2019 – 1128 The number of M.S. degrees conferred increased 7.7% in 2018-19 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred remained flat at 600 in 2018–19
2018 – 1047 The number of M.S. degrees conferred increased 8.8% in 2017-18 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n=600) increased 11.7 percent
2017 – 962 The number of M.S. degrees conferred decreased 6.0% in 2016-17 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred (n=537) decreased 1.8 percent
2016 – 1,023 The number of M.S. degrees conferred increased 42.1% in 2015-16 and the number of Ph.D. degrees conferred decreased 2.5 percent
2015 – 720 7.1% decrease
2014 – 775 18.3% increase
2013 – 655
2012 – 681
First professional degrees conferred. (Percentage of women rising for 11+ years)
2024 – No data available*
2023 – 66.0% Women & 32.9% Men. The gender was not reported or unknown for 0.1 percent of applications.
2022 – 66.6% Women & 33.4% Men. The gender was not reported or unknown for 0.1 percent of applications.
2021 – 63.7% Women & 36.2% Men. The gender was not reported or unknown for 0.1 percent of applications.
2020 – 64.0% Women & 35.9% Men. The gender was not reported or unknown for 0.2 percent of applications.
2019 – 62.0% Women & 37.3% Men & Unknown/other gender received 0.6
2018 – 61.2% Women & 38.6% Men
2017 – 61.9% Women & 38.1% Men
2016 – 60.4% Women & 38.6% Men
2015 – 61.6% Women & 38.4% Men
2014 – 60.4% Women & 39.6% Men
2013 – 61.7% Women & 38.3% Men
2012 – 61.2% Women & 38.8% Men
*A note on changes: the number of tables is much lower this cycle. Based on a change in policy, AACP is no longer publishing data on race/ethnicity, gender, and other related demographic categories.
AACP PROFILE OF PHARMACY STUDENTS FALL 2024