Top pharmacy schools to avoid

[MatCauthon]

Only one metric was used to create this thread: pharmacy school tuition prices from 2012-2013. http://www.aacp.org/resources/stude.../admissionrequirements/Documents/Table 11.pdf

Also, remember to factor years of tuition of 3 year schools vs 4 year schools. I left 3 year schools off the top 10 list since there can be a significant variance in financials when the cost of living, accrued interest, and extra year of salary are accounted for.

Also, remember that these tuition prices are now a couple years outdated This list is not in exact order of tuition and fees-- these costs have some variation, and they are now 2 years out of date. All of these schools are approaching 0r exceeding 40k/year in tuition plus fees.

1. USC college of pharmacy. Most expensive pharmacy school in the country. Do you really get paid more for having an expensive diploma? ~47k (FYI, now exceeds 50k)

2. Western- Right up there with USC. Why would you pay for a 4-year school that has higher tuition rates than just about every single 3-year program?

3. Duquesne-- 40k annual tution puts in the clear avoid category

4. Ohio Northern-- 40k

5. Northeastern-- ~40k

6. Western New England-- ~38k

7. Touro-CA-- ~40k

8. Loma Linda-- 40k

9. A&M Schwartz-- ~39k

10. Regis-- ~37k

Honorable mention

a. University of Pacific-- combined tuition and fees for this 3-year program is $182,196 (as of 2014).

Accrued Interest

Graduate loans are unsubsidized. You will accrue interest on all loans throughout school. You must account for this total when you calculate how much you will owe after school.

Use this calculator: http://www.collegeloanconsultant.com/accrued-interest-calculator.html

If a student at USC takes out 50k each year for tuition at 6.8%, and they have a 6-month grace period there interest accrued on tuition alone will be ~$41,429. That means that tuition plus interest, at USC, will cost ~$240,000. This does not factor in cost of living, or interest accrued on cost of living. It also does not factor in tuition increases, or the cost of deferment via 1-2 years of residency.

Using USC's own price estimate for cost of living: the total cost for 4-years would be $313,764. The total cost with interest accrued would be: ~$378,700!

Obviously 3-year schools have a big advantage over 4-year schools in the accrued interest category.

Student Loan Payment Calculator
Use a student loan calculator to predict your monthly payment after graduation. Here is one possible calculator:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/scripts/loanpayments.cgi

Lets take the total costs accrued at USC (using USC's own figures) to determine an average monthly payment. For a 10-year loan, the average monthly payment on $378,700 is: $4,358.78!

If you go to USC College of Pharmacy will you be able to afford a student loan payment of $4,358.78? Probably not, considering that most pharmacists only have about 6-7k of take-home pay monthly (120k annual salary= 10k/month gross= 6-7/month net).

Ok, so we have determined that most pharmacists won't be able to afford the 10-year payment. Another option is a 20-year payment. For 20-years, the monthly payment will be $2,891.22. No big deal right? Only slightly less than half your pay going to student loans for the next 20 years.

Take-home point

Run the numbers! This is your personal business plan. Your situation will vary based on where you live.

One possible strategy: Cross all of the schools that exceed 25-30k in annual tuition off of your prospective list. Target all of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the country. Also factor in cost of living. If you can live in a dirt-cheap area, all the better. Apply to all of these more affordable schools-- figure out a way to get in-state tuition if you can. Attend the best price school with the best fit.

As a prospective pharmacy student, nothing is more important than your future financial freedom. If you disagree, then why are you going to pharmacy school in the first place? Don't take out medical-school like debt for a career that doesn't pay you like a doctor.

Most important of all: If you can't find a financial situation that works for you then don't go to pharmacy school!

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[oldstock]

Only one metric was used to create this thread: pharmacy school tuition prices from 2012-2013. http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/admissionrequirements/Documents/Table 11.pdf

Also, remember to factor years of tuition of 3 year schools vs 4 year schools. I left 3 year schools off the top 10 list since there can be a significant variance in financials when the cost of living, accrued interest, and extra year of salary are accounted for.

Also, remember that these tuition prices are now a couple years outdated This list is not in exact order of tuition and fees-- these costs have some variation, and they are now 2 years out of date. All of these schools are approaching 0r exceeding 40k/year in tuition plus fees.

1. USC college of pharmacy. Most expensive pharmacy school in the country. Do you really get paid more for having an expensive diploma? ~47k (FYI, now exceeds 50k)

2. Western- Right up there with USC. Why would you pay for a 4-year school that has higher tuition rates than just about every single 3-year program?

3. Duquesne-- 40k annual tution puts in the clear avoid category

4. Ohio Northern-- 40k

5. Northeastern-- ~40k

6. Western New England-- ~38k

7. Touro-CA-- ~40k

8. Loma Linda-- 40k

9. A&M Schwartz-- ~39k

10. Regis-- ~37k

Honorable mention

a. University of Pacific-- combined tuition and fees for this 3-year program is $182,196 (as of 2014).

Accrued Interest

Graduate loans are unsubsidized. You will accrue interest on all loans throughout school. You must account for this total when you calculate how much you will owe after school.

Use this calculator: http://www.collegeloanconsultant.com/accrued-interest-calculator.html

If a student at USC takes out 50k each year for tuition at 6.8%, and they have a 6-month grace period there interest accrued on tuition alone will be ~$41,429. That means that tuition plus interest, at USC, will cost ~$240,000. This does not factor in cost of living, or interest accrued on cost of living. It also does not factor in tuition increases, or the cost of deferment via 1-2 years of residency.

Using USC's own price estimate for cost of living: the total cost for 4-years would be $313,764. The total cost with interest accrued would be: ~$378,700!

Obviously 3-year schools have a big advantage over 4-year schools in the accrued interest category.

Student Loan Payment Calculator
Use a student loan calculator to predict your monthly payment after graduation. Here is one possible calculator:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/scripts/loanpayments.cgi

Lets take the total costs accrued at USC (using USC's own figures) to determine an average monthly payment. For a 10-year loan, the average monthly payment on $378,700 is: $4,358.78!

If you go to USC College of Pharmacy will you be able to afford a student loan payment of $4,358.78? Probably not, considering that most pharmacists only have about 6-7k of take-home pay monthly (120k annual salary= 10k/month gross= 6-7/month net).

Ok, so we have determined that most pharmacists won't be able to afford the 10-year payment. Another option is a 20-year payment. For 20-years, the monthly payment will be $2,891.22. No big deal right? Only slightly less than half your pay going to student loans for the next 20 years.

Take-home point

Run the numbers! This is your personal business plan. Your situation will vary based on where you live.

One possible strategy: Cross all of the schools that exceed 25-30k in annual tuition off of your prospective list. Target all of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the country. Also factor in cost of living. If you can live in a dirt-cheap area, all the better. Apply to all of these more affordable schools-- figure out a way to get in-state tuition if you can. Attend the best price school with the best fit.

As a prospective pharmacy student, nothing is more important than your future financial freedom. If you disagree, then why are you going to pharmacy school in the first place? Don't take out medical-school like debt for a career that doesn't pay you like a doctor.

Most important of all: If you can't find a financial situation that works for you then don't go to pharmacy school!

great post !!

 

[BenJammin]

I went to Southwestern Oklahoma State and paid about $8,500 a semester for pharmacy school. Funny how my school isn't even ranked in the US News rankings yet my classmates were getting residencies, clinical jobs, retail jobs, and becoming pharmacy owners as if we went to an ivy league school. Some people think that spending a lot of money on your degree is worth it in the end but my 6 figure salary and zero student loan debt working in the DFW area suggest otherwise. That's a deal you Trojans, Longhorns, Aggies, and Sooners can't get anywhere else.

 

[gagequintin]

I went to Southwestern Oklahoma State and paid about $8,500 a semester for pharmacy school. Funny how my school isn't even ranked in the US News rankings yet my classmates were getting residencies, clinical jobs, retail jobs, and becoming pharmacy owners as if we went to an ivy league school. Some people think that spending a lot of money on your degree is worth it in the end but my 6 figure salary and zero student loan debt working in the DFW area suggest otherwise. That's a deal you Trojans, Longhorns, Aggies, and Sooners can't get anywhere else.

SWOSU has a well respected program and is always hard to find on rankings but yet and still they have a pass rate of 99-100% on their exam

 

[believee]

Only one metric was used to create this thread: pharmacy school tuition prices from 2012-2013. http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/admissionrequirements/Documents/Table 11.pdf

Also, remember to factor years of tuition of 3 year schools vs 4 year schools. I left 3 year schools off the top 10 list since there can be a significant variance in financials when the cost of living, accrued interest, and extra year of salary are accounted for.

Also, remember that these tuition prices are now a couple years outdated This list is not in exact order of tuition and fees-- these costs have some variation, and they are now 2 years out of date. All of these schools are approaching 0r exceeding 40k/year in tuition plus fees.

1. USC college of pharmacy. Most expensive pharmacy school in the country. Do you really get paid more for having an expensive diploma? ~47k (FYI, now exceeds 50k)

2. Western- Right up there with USC. Why would you pay for a 4-year school that has higher tuition rates than just about every single 3-year program?

3. Duquesne-- 40k annual tution puts in the clear avoid category

4. Ohio Northern-- 40k

5. Northeastern-- ~40k

6. Western New England-- ~38k

7. Touro-CA-- ~40k

8. Loma Linda-- 40k

9. A&M Schwartz-- ~39k

10. Regis-- ~37k

Honorable mention

a. University of Pacific-- combined tuition and fees for this 3-year program is $182,196 (as of 2014).

Accrued Interest

Graduate loans are unsubsidized. You will accrue interest on all loans throughout school. You must account for this total when you calculate how much you will owe after school.

Use this calculator: http://www.collegeloanconsultant.com/accrued-interest-calculator.html

If a student at USC takes out 50k each year for tuition at 6.8%, and they have a 6-month grace period there interest accrued on tuition alone will be ~$41,429. That means that tuition plus interest, at USC, will cost ~$240,000. This does not factor in cost of living, or interest accrued on cost of living. It also does not factor in tuition increases, or the cost of deferment via 1-2 years of residency.

Using USC's own price estimate for cost of living: the total cost for 4-years would be $313,764. The total cost with interest accrued would be: ~$378,700!

Obviously 3-year schools have a big advantage over 4-year schools in the accrued interest category.

Student Loan Payment Calculator
Use a student loan calculator to predict your monthly payment after graduation. Here is one possible calculator:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/scripts/loanpayments.cgi

Lets take the total costs accrued at USC (using USC's own figures) to determine an average monthly payment. For a 10-year loan, the average monthly payment on $378,700 is: $4,358.78!

If you go to USC College of Pharmacy will you be able to afford a student loan payment of $4,358.78? Probably not, considering that most pharmacists only have about 6-7k of take-home pay monthly (120k annual salary= 10k/month gross= 6-7/month net).

Ok, so we have determined that most pharmacists won't be able to afford the 10-year payment. Another option is a 20-year payment. For 20-years, the monthly payment will be $2,891.22. No big deal right? Only slightly less than half your pay going to student loans for the next 20 years.

Take-home point

Run the numbers! This is your personal business plan. Your situation will vary based on where you live.

One possible strategy: Cross all of the schools that exceed 25-30k in annual tuition off of your prospective list. Target all of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the country. Also factor in cost of living. If you can live in a dirt-cheap area, all the better. Apply to all of these more affordable schools-- figure out a way to get in-state tuition if you can. Attend the best price school with the best fit.

As a prospective pharmacy student, nothing is more important than your future financial freedom. If you disagree, then why are you going to pharmacy school in the first place? Don't take out medical-school like debt for a career that doesn't pay you like a doctor.

Most important of all: If you can't find a financial situation that works for you then don't go to pharmacy school!

Wow this is great. Thanks for the info!

 

[unicorn93]

But the thing is I want to stay in California.

 

[ExpressMaiL]

But the thing is I want to stay in California.

Cali is the shiz.

 

[Prospect Pharm st.]

So if I can work for like $20 -30 per hour my loan will be lower.

 

[oldstock]

So if I can work for like $20 -30 per hour my loan will be lower.

????

 

[Sugoi Travis]

????

I think he means if he works for $20-30 per hour during school that his loans will be lower.

 

[oldstock]

I think he means if he works for $20-30 per hour during school that his loans will be lower.

what job Im wondering....

 

[68quebec]

pretty obvious, avoid any schools cost 40k or more per year.

 

[Pharmd1997]

How about MCPHS??

 

[O.State]

some of these programs are different though arent they?

I know for example Ohio Northern is a 0-6 program right out of highschool....
thats 6 yrs of 40k compared to traditional 4 yrs of undergrad and 4 yrs of Pharm. School

 

[Stabilo]

del

 

[El Trombopag]

This is a very good post, thanks for putting specific institutions' numbers together. Anyone interested in pursuing pharmacy school needs to devote an evening to number crunching. It's a little sad that most will spend weeks/months studying for the PCAT, but not even a minute analyzing long term cost considerations of this 'purchase'.

Put time into punching the numbers. Realize that this is a 'purchase' on par with most mortgages but with far worse interest rates.

 

[dosepak]

We could also add to the list any new private schools that have been opened recently.

 

[The Cutest Ponytail]

Only one metric was used to create this thread: pharmacy school tuition prices from 2012-2013. http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/admissionrequirements/Documents/Table 11.pdf

Also, remember to factor years of tuition of 3 year schools vs 4 year schools. I left 3 year schools off the top 10 list since there can be a significant variance in financials when the cost of living, accrued interest, and extra year of salary are accounted for.

Also, remember that these tuition prices are now a couple years outdated This list is not in exact order of tuition and fees-- these costs have some variation, and they are now 2 years out of date. All of these schools are approaching 0r exceeding 40k/year in tuition plus fees.

1. USC college of pharmacy. Most expensive pharmacy school in the country. Do you really get paid more for having an expensive diploma? ~47k (FYI, now exceeds 50k)

2. Western- Right up there with USC. Why would you pay for a 4-year school that has higher tuition rates than just about every single 3-year program?

3. Duquesne-- 40k annual tution puts in the clear avoid category

4. Ohio Northern-- 40k

5. Northeastern-- ~40k

6. Western New England-- ~38k

7. Touro-CA-- ~40k

8. Loma Linda-- 40k

9. A&M Schwartz-- ~39k

10. Regis-- ~37k

Honorable mention

a. University of Pacific-- combined tuition and fees for this 3-year program is $182,196 (as of 2014).

Accrued Interest

Graduate loans are unsubsidized. You will accrue interest on all loans throughout school. You must account for this total when you calculate how much you will owe after school.

Use this calculator: http://www.collegeloanconsultant.com/accrued-interest-calculator.html

If a student at USC takes out 50k each year for tuition at 6.8%, and they have a 6-month grace period there interest accrued on tuition alone will be ~$41,429. That means that tuition plus interest, at USC, will cost ~$240,000. This does not factor in cost of living, or interest accrued on cost of living. It also does not factor in tuition increases, or the cost of deferment via 1-2 years of residency.

Using USC's own price estimate for cost of living: the total cost for 4-years would be $313,764. The total cost with interest accrued would be: ~$378,700!

Obviously 3-year schools have a big advantage over 4-year schools in the accrued interest category.

Student Loan Payment Calculator
Use a student loan calculator to predict your monthly payment after graduation. Here is one possible calculator:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/scripts/loanpayments.cgi

Lets take the total costs accrued at USC (using USC's own figures) to determine an average monthly payment. For a 10-year loan, the average monthly payment on $378,700 is: $4,358.78!

If you go to USC College of Pharmacy will you be able to afford a student loan payment of $4,358.78? Probably not, considering that most pharmacists only have about 6-7k of take-home pay monthly (120k annual salary= 10k/month gross= 6-7/month net).

Ok, so we have determined that most pharmacists won't be able to afford the 10-year payment. Another option is a 20-year payment. For 20-years, the monthly payment will be $2,891.22. No big deal right? Only slightly less than half your pay going to student loans for the next 20 years.

Take-home point

Run the numbers! This is your personal business plan. Your situation will vary based on where you live.

One possible strategy: Cross all of the schools that exceed 25-30k in annual tuition off of your prospective list. Target all of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the country. Also factor in cost of living. If you can live in a dirt-cheap area, all the better. Apply to all of these more affordable schools-- figure out a way to get in-state tuition if you can. Attend the best price school with the best fit.

As a prospective pharmacy student, nothing is more important than your future financial freedom. If you disagree, then why are you going to pharmacy school in the first place? Don't take out medical-school like debt for a career that doesn't pay you like a doctor.

Most important of all: If you can't find a financial situation that works for you then don't go to pharmacy school!

Listen kids, forget about pharmacy. Even if you get a scholarship for the whole deal, you'll be wasting 6 years of your life. For that matter forget about college. It's become all a big marketing scam taking advantage of social inertia and risk-free lending.

There are all kinds of jobs that don't even require a college degree and pay 20 bucks/hr. If you have no debt and live frugally 32k take-home can go a long way. Live at home. Save money. Think about starting a business when the economy eventually heads upward. Consider expatriating

 

[AnonCulture]

ANY schools that are new, charge more than $30k/year, or make you borrow private loans for part or whole duration should be avoided.
Do your research. There are schools like that.

 

[bmclinn]

Listen kids, forget about pharmacy. Even if you get a scholarship for the whole deal, you'll be wasting 6 years of your life. For that matter forget about college. It's become all a big marketing scam taking advantage of social inertia and risk-free lending.

There are all kinds of jobs that don't even require a college degree and pay 20 bucks/hr. If you have no debt and live frugally 32k take-home can go a long way. Live at home. Save money. Think about starting a business when the economy eventually heads upward. Consider expatriating

So much is wrong with this one dimensional thinking. That might work for some people, but not everyone is the same. Some dont possess the abilities to start their own business. Some actually LIKE the field of pharmacy. Some dont want to live under the parents for 25years.

Back to the topic...

In my opinion, any school that has popped up in the last 5 years, doesnt have a health system in the immediate proximity, and only offered a pharmD got thrown out. Simply not worth it. Id rather wait another year to get into a school I trust than immediately enter a school that didnt have my qualities of a successful program. But hey, if you wanna spend 40k/yr to a program that has 2 other programs within 25 miles, who am i to say no? Instead, ill call you foolish.

 

[Digsbe]

The cheapest option for me was to go to a private school because I can stay at home and save a ton on living expenses. Had I gone to my state school I'd have to take out more loans for living expenses and at the end of the day that would be more expensive for me. It's not always about tuition. My tuition is around 35k a year but my family is gracious enough to let me live with them for free so I only borrow about 5k or so extra per year to pay for other bills.

 

[oldstock]

So much is wrong with this one dimensional thinking. That might work for some people, but not everyone is the same. Some dont possess the abilities to start their own business. Some actually LIKE the field of pharmacy. Some dont want to live under the parents for 25years.

Back to the topic...

In my opinion, any school that has popped up in the last 5 years, doesnt have a health system in the immediate proximity, and only offered a pharmD got thrown out. Simply not worth it. Id rather wait another year to get into a school I trust than immediately enter a school that didnt have my qualities of a successful program. But hey, if you wanna spend 40k/yr to a program that has 2 other programs within 25 miles, who am i to say no? Instead, ill call you foolish.

regardless, you will have to compete for jobs in the same pool with all people from "good" and 'bad" schools... do not think it is easier for you to win bc you go to a "good" school...

 

[bmclinn]

regardless, you will have to compete for jobs in the same pool with all people from "good" and 'bad" schools... do not think it is easier for you to win bc you go to a "good" school...

What school you graduate from WILL matter. Every school ive interviewed with has had 100% employment (in pharmacy) within a month of graduation. You think some newly accredited school thats graduated two classes can compete with one that has graduated 50+ classes and has alumni all over the state? Pick schools wisely and there will be no trouble with finding a job.

 

[oldstock]

What school you graduate from WILL matter. Every school ive interviewed with has had 100% employment (in pharmacy) within a month of graduation. You think some newly accredited school thats graduated two classes can compete with one that has graduated 50+ classes and has alumni all over the state? Pick schools wisely and there will be no trouble with finding a job.

while it is true that it might be easier for you to get a job coming from a good / established school, things will go down for EVERYONE when supply greatly outstrips demand. You might still get job alright coming from a good school, but wages will go down. There will be no job security. You do not wanna work for 20 - 30 buck an hour, fine. You do not want to work yourself harder to meet those crazy metrics, fine. A lot of other pharmacists will take your job in an instant, esp when there are more and more rx grads who are HUNGRY to work for less.

Do not think that anyone can be immune from this non-stop school opening !!

 

[PharmaBound]

Listen kids, forget about pharmacy. Even if you get a scholarship for the whole deal, you'll be wasting 6 years of your life. For that matter forget about college. It's become all a big marketing scam taking advantage of social inertia and risk-free lending.

There are all kinds of jobs that don't even require a college degree and pay 20 bucks/hr. If you have no debt and live frugally 32k take-home can go a long way. Live at home. Save money. Think about starting a business when the economy eventually heads upward. Consider expatriating

20 an hour...pharmacy pays 60+ here

 

[Sugoi Travis]

20 an hour...pharmacy pays 60+ here

Unlike the 20/hour job that you grab out of high school, pharmacy school requires most of us to pull out loans of some sort. Depending on how much loans you take out, you're taking a financial risk especially when you factor in the volatility of the pharmacy job market. Not to say that the 20/hour individual has no risk; his/her financial risk is considerably lower than the pharmacy student.

Just my $0.02.

 

[gagequintin]

At 20/hour you are highly replaceable... If you can manage to graduate debt free then it would be dumb not to do it, regardless of the saturation.

 

[oldstock]

At 20/hour you are highly replaceable... If you can manage to graduate debt free then it would be dumb not to do it, regardless of the saturation.

tell me when you do this

 

[gagequintin]

In 4th year of undergrad w/ no debt so far.

 

[oldstock]

In 4th year of undergrad w/ no debt so far.

I thought u were talking about pharmacy school...

 

[gagequintin]

I am.. I was just speaking as of currently

 

[oldstock]

I am.. I was just speaking as of currently

so tell me again how u plan to graduate pharmacy school w no debt ??

 

[gagequintin]

IHS Sholarship

 

[oldstock]

IHS Sholarship

full tuition and board ?? are you qualified as a Native American ??

 

[gagequintin]

Yea they pay full tuition & fees.. Plus a minimum 1500$ monthly stipend 12 months a year for living expenses. Yea Wichita, Kiowa, Otoe, Cheyenne.

 

[oldstock]

Yea they pay full tuition & fees.. Plus a minimum 1500$ monthly stipend 12 months a year for living expenses. Yea Wichita, Kiowa, Otoe, Cheyenne.

good for you. Full tuition for anything is great. Me I am born to the wrong race / tribe though lol jk

 

[Thestrugglez]

good for you. Full tuition for anything is great. Me I am born to the wrong race / tribe though lol jk

Are you ORM @oldstock ? Cause I am an ORM so I definitely got stuck in the wrong race .

 

[oldstock]

Are you ORM @oldstock ? Cause I am an ORM so I definitely got stuck in the wrong race .

ya man, sad.... but our children do not have to be... I will def marry a URM so my children can claim whatever they wanna be

 

[O.State]

Yea they pay full tuition & fees.. Plus a minimum 1500$ monthly stipend 12 months a year for living expenses. Yea Wichita, Kiowa, Otoe, Cheyenne.

Excuse me good sir, let say hypothetically someone wanted to become Native American...how would one go about that?[/serious tone]

 

[Sugoi Travis]

At 20/hour you are highly replaceable...

Are you implying that as pharmacists, we aren't?

If you can manage to graduate debt free then it would be dumb not to do it, regardless of the saturation.

Just because you're coming out debt-free doesn't mean that you can disregard saturation.

 

[gagequintin]

Are you implying that as pharmacists, we aren't?



Just because you're coming out debt-free doesn't mean that you can disregard saturation.

With the IHS Scholarship you are guaranteed a contracted position after you graduate.. EVERYONE is replaceable. However, comparing someone with a high school diploma to someone with any level of higher education is dumb. Saturation or not there are a lot more high school diploma recipients than pharmacists.. So they are easier to replace but pharmacist still are replaceable

I think it's funny how people complain about saturation.. but what job market isn't saturated? The MAJORITY of decent jobs are saturated.

 

[oldstock]

With the IHS Scholarship you are guaranteed a contracted position after you graduate.. EVERYONE is replaceable. However, comparing someone with a high school diploma to someone with any level of higher education is dumb. Saturation or not there are a lot more high school diploma recipients than pharmacists.. So they are easier to replace but pharmacist still are replaceable

dude, not everyone is born into a right tribe like you are

It might not be dumb for you but pharmacy might turn out to be a really dumb investment for many if not most new grads in 2018-2022 who just finish 6-8 yrs for pharmacy and are now unemployed with avg 150K in student loans vs those high school grads w/ no school debts, working or not.

I think it's funny how people complain about saturation.. but what job market isn't saturated? The MAJORITY of decent jobs are saturated.

some are more saturated than others. Some might be saturated but have growth potentials while some don't. Some are not even saturated. But I guess you do not need to know any of that bc you are having that IHS scholarship w no debt + guaranteed a job after graduation, right ??

God I hate my tribe... (sigh)

 

[PharmtoCS]

With the IHS Scholarship you are guaranteed a contracted position after you graduate.. EVERYONE is replaceable. However, comparing someone with a high school diploma to someone with any level of higher education is dumb. Saturation or not there are a lot more high school diploma recipients than pharmacists.. So they are easier to replace but pharmacist still are replaceable

I think it's funny how people complain about saturation.. but what job market isn't saturated? The MAJORITY of decent jobs are saturated.

If you can go into pharmacy with no debt and are willing to work for IHS or in rural areas after you graduate, then go for it. For others, there is software engineering and investment banking that are hurting for workers and can start you with a salary well over $100k+ without the $200k+ and 4 years needed for pharmacy school. There is also medicine, dentistry, and physician assistant that are in demand. As @oldstock says, the majority of pharmacy students are not so lucky and will graduate with $150k+ loans with poor job prospects.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

With the IHS Scholarship you are guaranteed a contracted position after you graduate.. EVERYONE is replaceable. However, comparing someone with a high school diploma to someone with any level of higher education is dumb.

Good for you. That specific scenario really only applies to you. You can say that comparing high school graduates and college graduates is dumb all you want; it won't change the fact that going down pharmacy has a considerably higher financial risk associated with it, given the current job market.

 

[PharmtoCS]

The comparison between high school graduates, college graduates, and professional school graduates does not matter much anymore. Getting a college degree is a joke nowadays, and even getting into pharmacy school is no longer difficult with people getting accepted with <3.0 GPA and <40 PCAT. All you need to do is take out a ton of loans and have a pulse.

The job market favors quality/type of education more than quantity, and your financial well-being favors the lowest tuition possible. Someone who majors in a field that is in demand (i.e. computer science, engineering, finance, etc.) or enters a lucrative trade at a community college or public university will be far better off than someone who gets a doctorate degree in law, humanities, and even pharmacy.

 

[RxBison]

So lets talk about demand for pharmacists.
Its hilarious that Pharmacy to these folks is not considered a job "in demand" when the demand for pharmacists is already in need and is projected to increase by at least 14% by 2022.........you can verify that statistic with forbes magazine (ranking pharmacy top health care profession for past year based on median salary and demand).
Another idea to consider is pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. I myself believe in the next 10 years, pharmacists will be considered primary care doctors who soley monitor chronic patients etc etc.
Job security....yea check that off.

So lets talk about mobility.
Pharmacy is not georgraphically static. If I want to practice in Alaska I can...and if I decide im tired of the cold I can move to Florida from Alaska and can still practice without missing a paycheck or taking extra cortifications....please tell me how your going to relocate your "lucrative business"...?
Oh and for you ignorant individuals who think that pharmacists just fill your prescriptions: there are pharmacists in retail, clinical, homecare, and government settings (just naming a few broad areas).

So lets talk about the cost of school compared to salary.
School is exspensive, get over it. We arent talking about pushing buttons on a keyboard, not talking about programming a robot, not talking about definding the law, not talking about building infastructures, we are talking about the health of individual LIVES. So yes id like to think that an extensive knowlege of pharceuticals is needed, and I believe that its valid to have a four year process ( 6 years total for prereq courses) to do so.
Granted some schools are way too expensive, and some schools are in areas where the cost of living makes attendence expensive....solution: dont go to these schools. Find a school where the cost of living and tuition meets your liking compared to the 115k salary you will be making. If you havent done this math then you havent truely considered the career.

There are no "sure jobs"...but as a pharmasicst you are playing favorable odds with demand; and with at minimum (the worst salary for pharmasicist) ~88k (based on the minimum salary recorded from ALL pharmacists). I can not say that about ANY other profession.

Best thing about pharmacy is all pharmacist are standardized via NAPLEX. So a 50k private school is honestly is just as good 10k public. THE DIFFERENCE = some schools have more options and outlets of pharmacy positions, weigh all the options!

For example:
Howard Pharmacy (where I hope to attend)... Around 50k a year cost of attendence....pretty exspensive....some would say outrageous...
But did mention the direct pipeline to the NIH, FDA, Veterans Affairs, Clinical, and International pharm companies, that the school has based soely on location: Howard is the ONLY pharmacy school in DC. Hmmmmm....weigh the options!

Do your research. Don't let half baked ideas (with no statistical backing) from people on this page discourage you from your desires.

 

[PharmtoCS]

So lets talk about demand for pharmacists.
Its hilarious that Pharmacy to these folks is not considered a job "in demand" when the demand for pharmacists is already in need and is projected to increase by at least 14% by 2022.........you can verify that statistic with forbes magazine (ranking pharmacy top health care profession for past year based on median salary and demand).
Job security....yea check that off.

14% projected job growth is 41,400 pharmacists over the next 10 years, or 4,140 new jobs created each year. About 14,000-15,000 students graduate from pharmacy schools each year. That is over 3x the number of expected job openings!

Speaking of the BLS, I would like to cite software engineering/development which has a 22% (much faster than average) projected growth. The average salary is $93,350. Software developers only need to take out a fraction of the loans pharmacists do and sometimes do not even need a college degree.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

 

[PharmDCandidate2014]

14% projected job growth is 41,400 pharmacists over the next 10 years, or 4,140 new jobs created each year. About 14,000-15,000 students graduate from pharmacy schools each year. That is over 3x the number of expected job openings!

Speaking of the BLS, I would like to cite software engineering/development which has a 22% (much faster than average) projected growth. The average salary is $93,350. Software developers only need to take out a fraction of the loans pharmacists do and sometimes do not even need a college degree.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

Pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. Someone is drunk on pharmacy school propaganda Kool Aid.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Another idea to consider is pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. I myself believe in the next 10 years, pharmacists will be considered primary care doctors who soley monitor chronic patients etc etc.

Pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. Someone is drunk on pharmacy school propaganda Kool Aid.

I think we should let the pre-meds know about this. You only need a 2.7 GPA and 40 PCAT to get into pharmacy school, then you can become a primary care doctor! Forget about 4 years of med school and 3 years of residency!

 

[oldstock]

14% projected job growth is 41,400 pharmacists over the next 10 years, or 4,140 new jobs created each year. About 14,000-15,000 students graduate from pharmacy schools each year. That is over 3x the number of expected job openings!

Speaking of the BLS, I would like to cite software engineering/development which has a 22% (much faster than average) projected growth. The average salary is $93,350. Software developers only need to take out a fraction of the loans pharmacists do and sometimes do not even need a college degree.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

@stoichiometrist : this guy @RxBison mention job growth but he forgot the supply from 140s schools and growing.


His post shocks me though...

"pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. I myself believe in the next 10 years, pharmacists will be considered primary care doctors who soley monitor chronic patients etc etc.
Job security....yea check that off."

"some schools have more options and outlets of pharmacy positions".
wth is an outlet of pharmacy position ?? (scratching my head)...

or "the direct pipeline to the NIH, FDA, Veterans Affairs, Clinical, and International pharm companies" from Howard U SOP as they are the only pharm school in pharmacy.

They have pipeline ?? and direct ?? what kind of things are they pumping there to the NIH, FDA, VA, "clinical and international pharm companies" ????


"Don't let half baked ideas (with no statistical backing) from people on this page discourage you from your desires." Please enlighten us w your statistic, man


jesus, this is the kind of people that will represent the future of the pharmacy profession !! frightening !!!!


@PharmDCandidate2014 @stoichiometrist : dang you guys already beat me to it !!!!

So lets talk about demand for pharmacists.
Its hilarious that Pharmacy to these folks is not considered a job "in demand" when the demand for pharmacists is already in need and is projected to increase by at least 14% by 2022.........you can verify that statistic with forbes magazine (ranking pharmacy top health care profession for past year based on median salary and demand).
Another idea to consider is pharmacists are heavy contenders to be primary care doctors. I myself believe in the next 10 years, pharmacists will be considered primary care doctors who soley monitor chronic patients etc etc.
Job security....yea check that off.

So lets talk about mobility.
Pharmacy is not georgraphically static. If I want to practice in Alaska I can...and if I decide im tired of the cold I can move to Florida from Alaska and can still practice without missing a paycheck or taking extra cortifications....please tell me how your going to relocate your "lucrative business"...?
Oh and for you ignorant individuals who think that pharmacists just fill your prescriptions: there are pharmacists in retail, clinical, homecare, and government settings (just naming a few broad areas).

So lets talk about the cost of school compared to salary.
School is exspensive, get over it. We arent talking about pushing buttons on a keyboard, not talking about programming a robot, not talking about definding the law, not talking about building infastructures, we are talking about the health of individual LIVES. So yes id like to think that an extensive knowlege of pharceuticals is needed, and I believe that its valid to have a four year process ( 6 years total for prereq courses) to do so.
Granted some schools are way too expensive, and some schools are in areas where the cost of living makes attendence expensive....solution: dont go to these schools. Find a school where the cost of living and tuition meets your liking compared to the 115k salary you will be making. If you havent done this math then you havent truely considered the career.

There are no "sure jobs"...but as a pharmasicst you are playing favorable odds with demand; and with at minimum (the worst salary for pharmasicist) ~88k (based on the minimum salary recorded from ALL pharmacists). I can not say that about ANY other profession.

Best thing about pharmacy is all pharmacist are standardized via NAPLEX. So a 50k private school is honestly is just as good 10k public. THE DIFFERENCE = some schools have more options and outlets of pharmacy positions, weigh all the options!

For example:
Howard Pharmacy (where I hope to attend)... Around 50k a year cost of attendence....pretty exspensive....some would say outrageous...
But did mention the direct pipeline to the NIH, FDA, Veterans Affairs, Clinical, and International pharm companies, that the school has based soely on location: Howard is the ONLY pharmacy school in DC. Hmmmmm....weigh the options!

Do your research. Don't let half baked ideas (with no statistical backing) from people on this page discourage you from your desires.