While most people talk about how doctors save lives, they usually tend to forget the role of a pharmacist in most “life saving” events that happen in the world. Well, whether they receive the appreciation they deserve or not, their services are still needed worldwide.
In as much as becoming a pharmacist is beautiful, becoming one comes with its own tough hurdles to climb, that’s why there are easiest pharmacy schools to get into.
We would love to point out that you shouldn’t just choose a pharmacy school based on its admission difficulty, you should also focus on finding the best fit for your academic strengths, career aspirations, and personal preferences.
That’s why in this blog we won’t just list “easy” pharmacy schools, we’ll also ensure they provide the right education for your career.
You should also know that there are tougher pharmacy schools to join, which we believe is best for students with excellent personal credentials. Also, some Occupational Therapy, Engineering, and even Optometry programs provide moderately easier entrance requirements.
That said, let’s get into some of the easy-to-enroll pharmacy schools based on their acceptance rate and minimum GPA requirement.
Easiest Pharmacy Schools to get into
Please note that acceptance rates and GPA requirements can vary slightly from year to year
1. University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Minimum GPA: 2.65
- Location: 1018 TCRC University, MS 38677
In a world where the healthcare environment is rapidly changing, you always need to have the knowledge that matches the pace of the change, that’s one of the interesting things UM offers. You won’t only find it easy to join them, but will also master the practical and theoretical knowledge and analytical, communications, and teamwork skills needed in this rapid change we’re seeing in our healthcare.
In addition, they go as far as providing enough time to access and counsel patients, monitor their drug therapies, and dispense their medications. This has made their students’ pass rate on the national licensure exam matched or higher than the national average.
Furthermore, their tuition is regarded to be among the lowest in the United States.
2. North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Location: 1340 Administration Ave., Fargo, ND 58102
You and I know that one of the criteria for choosing a good school is listening to what the students have to say. The students believe that what makes the NDSU Pharmaceutical program unique is the faculty’s relationship with NDSU’s pharmacists and pharmacists in the surrounding area.
This is one of the easiest pharmacy schools to get into that encompasses both the basic and clinical sciences.
NDSU provides you with four routes (options) to pursue admission to their PharmD program, these include;
- The Early Admission Pathway
- The Traditional Admissions Pathway
- The Post-Baccalaureate Pathway
- Pharmacy Technician Pathway
3. Drake University College of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Location: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311
Drake University College of Pharmacy welcomes eligible U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The school is not just moderately easy to join. Still, it has been consistently in the top 10 private programs nationwide for the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) residency match rate.
Also, 96% of its graduates have been employed immediately after graduation, and they are #1 in Next Generation Future Pharmacist award winners and finalists in the nation.
Drake believes that Pharmacists shouldn’t just stand behind a counter and count pills, that’s why they focus on innovative practices for the future of pharmacy.
4. University of the Incarnate Word – Feik School of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Location: 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209
This is among the easiest pharmacy schools to get into that requires applicants to complete a pre-pharmacy course of study at any U.S. regionally accredited college or university. The school is not just looking for students who have decent academic records, but who also have a larger sense of personal mission and purpose to pharmacy practice.
To provide the best education to those interested in a dual degree program, the school partners with UIW’s School of Professional Studies to offer a dual Pharm.D./M. A. in Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. Feik School of Pharmacy is the Only faith-based School of Pharmacy in Texas.
5. University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Location: Lexington, Kentucky 40506
This is not just one of the easiest pharmacy universities to get into, it is also one of the best in the nation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report of 2020 ranked them as the 6th best Pharmacy School in the United States, and they are regarded as the 1st Largest Pharmacy Education & Research Building in the World.
Over the decades, the school has led pharmacy education, practice, and research. They are always pushing toward the direction that no one has ever been before.
6. University of Toledo College of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Location: 2801 W. Bancroft St. • Toledo, OH 43606
The University of Toledo is one of the easiest pharmacy schools to get into which boasts of the most comprehensive undergraduate pharmaceutical sciences program in the nation. Also, they are one of 19 schools to offer a bachelor’s degree program that covers the science underlying the five major fields of pharmacy.
Their Pharm.D. program has produced lots of graduates that are in high demand in the pharmacy field, and they have an 88.6% passage rate above the national average on the standard pharmacy exam (NAPLEX).
One of the interesting things about UT College of Pharmacy besides the fact that it’s easy to join them is that you can become a pharmacist within just six (6) years with no prior credit. They do it by providing a two-year pre-pharmacy program, then a 4-year Pharm.D. program.
7. University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- Location: 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071
The UW School of Pharmacy offers a four-year program of study leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. They also go further to provide an Online M.S. Degree in Health Services Administration.
Their graduates have a 95% or higher passing rate on national licensure examinations. Interestingly, the school has world-class experienced professors who have continuously been recognized nationally and internationally for their teaching and research achievements and contributions to the scientific and clinical fields.
8. The University of Montana – Doctor of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
This is not just an easy pharmaceutical school to enter, it also prioritizes rigorous pharmaceutical science education and practical clinical immersion, which begins in your first semester. Also, the school has a 97% graduate employment rate, and 93% of its students pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) on their first try.
The school goes on to award more than $216,000 in scholarships to their eligible pharmacy students.
9. University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Location: Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Over 75 years of experience at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy has made them able to provide exceptional pharmacy education, research, and patient care programs. You can either choose to further in their Doctor of Pharmacy program, PharmD/MBA Dual Degree Program, or Biomedical Sciences Grad. Program, or even choose one of the certification programs if you intend to improve your professional development.
10. Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Location: 100 Campus Drive, Weatherford, OK 73096
Just like some easiest pharmacy schools to get into that we’ve listed, SWOSU also provides a dual degree program to enable students to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Master’s in Business Administration. Unlike some other pharmacy schools, SWOSU College of Pharmacy provides admission twice a year, giving students the flexibility and convenience of beginning studies in the fall or spring.
Key Takeaway
It’s worth noting that besides focusing on how easy it is to join a pharmacy school, you should also make sure it aligns with your academic goals, career aspirations, and financial capabilities. You should also consider the school’s location, faculty and mentorship, NAPLEX pass rates, and alumni success. We ensured that all the schools we listed were checked on these criteria.
However, don’t assume because we categorized these schools as “easy” that you can be admitted even with poor grades. The path to pharmacy requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and a passion for the field, and some pharmacy schools will dismiss you if you don’t maintain a good grade.