Pharm.D. Students
Doctor of Pharmacy
Incoming Student Characteristics
The Pharm.D. is a professional degree for pharmacists similar to the M.D. for physicians or D.D.S. for dentists. Typical applicants have solid grades in their science and math prerequisite courses (letter grade of C minus or better). Applicants typically have a bachelor’s degree, but it is not required to enter the PharmD program. Students are subject to the prerequisite requirements in place when they are admitted to the program.
as of Mar. 19, 2024
The following table outlines a select set of student characteristics for each incoming class.
| Incoming Year | # of Enrolled Students (1) | Average Incoming GPA (2) | Average PCAT (3) | Average Age of Applicant (4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 144 | 3.63 | 79.09 | 21.5 |
| 2022 | 139 | 3.57 | 87.44 | 21.8 |
| 2021 | 148 | 3.54 | 87.78* | 21.9 |
| 2020 | 123 | 3.57 | 88.10 | 21.6 |
| 2019 | 160 | 3.57 | 89.70 | 21.7 |
| 2018 | 145 | 3.51 | 87.11 | 21.8 |
| 2017 | 154 | N/A | 86.84 | 21.5 |
| 2016 | 140 | N/A | 87.94 | 22.0 |
| 2015 | 152 | N/A | 88.01 | 21.6 |
(1) # of Enrolled Students = Count of unique student IDs by calendar year that were enrolled as of the Census date and reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report. Snapshot data for before 2019 is not available for validation at this time.
(2) Average Incoming GPA = Average GPA of all verified applicants in PharmCAS that were in a status of Matriculated at the time of cycle close and as reported in the PharmD Admission Cycle Report.
(3) Average PCAT Composite = The composite score is calculated from the Biology, Chemistry and Reading sections as reported in the PharmCAS application. This is averaged for all students in the application Verified and Matriculated status at the time of cycle close and is reported in the PharmD Admissions Cycle Report. PCAT transitioned to an optional admissions requirement in 2021.
(4) Average Age of Applicant = The age at the time of PharmCAS application is self-reported. This is averaged for all students in the application Verified and Matriculated status at the time of cycle close and is reported in the PharmD Admissions Cycle Report.
* 2021 was the first year that the PCAT score submission was optional for admissions.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
as of Mar. 19, 2024
The following table outlines the gender and residency mix for each incoming class. Percentages have been rounded to improve usefulness.
| Incoming Year | Female (%) | Male (%) | North Carolina Residents (%) | Non-NC Residents (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 80 | 20 | 42 | 58 |
| 2022 | 73 | 27 | 45 | 55 |
| 2021 | 72 | 28 | 40 | 60 |
| 2020 | 71 | 29 | 51 | 49 |
| 2019 | 78 | 22 | 42 | 58 |
| 2018 | 67 | 33 | 43 | 57 |
| 2017 | 68 | 32 | 59 | 41 |
| 2016 | 70 | 30 | 51 | 49 |
| 2015 | 68 | 32 | 60 | 40 |
| 2014 | 65 | 35 | 62 | 38 |
| 2013 | 61 | 39 | 64 | 36 |
| 2012 | 67 | 33 | 72 | 28 |
| 2011 | 68 | 31 | 78 | 22 |
| 2010 | 62 | 35 | 77 | 23 |
| 2009 | 70 | 30 | 72 | 28 |
| 2008 | 65 | 35 | 86 | 14 |
| 2007 | 70 | 30 | 84 | 16 |
(1) Female (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as Female during their incoming class year Fall Term Census snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report. Snapshot data before 2020 is not available for validation at this time.
(2) Male (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as Male during their incoming class year Fall Term Census snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report. Snapshot data before 2020 is not available for validation at this time.
(3) North Carolina Residents (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as having a permanent residence of North Carolina during their incoming Fall Term class year Census snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report. Snapshot data before 2020 is not available for validation at this time.
(4) Non-North Carolina Residents (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as having a permanent residence outside of North Carolina during their incoming Fall Term class year Census snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report. Snapshot data before 2020 is not available for validation at this time.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
- Incoming Student Headcount Report (1)(2)(3)(4)
as of Mar. 19, 2024
The following table outlines the race and ethnicity mix for each incoming class. Percentages have been rounded to improve usefulness.
| Incoming Year | White (%) | Asian (%) | African American or Black (%) | Hispanic or Latino (%) (1) | Native American or Alaska Native (%) | Two or more races (%) (2) | Unknown/ Other (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 54 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 51 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| 2021 | 51 | 24 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| 2020 | 55 | 22 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
| 2019 | 60 | 19 | 8 | 8 | <1 | <1 | 5 |
(1) Race / Ethnicity (%) = The count of unique student IDs that self-identified as that specific race/ethnicity during their incoming Fall Term class year Census snapshot. Snapshot data before 2020 is not available for validation at this time.
(2) The Nonresident Alien and Unknown designations in Connect Carolina are categorized in the Unknown/Other category.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
as of Mar. 19, 2024
The following table outlines the total student enrollment, campus of the student and dual degree designation as of the end of each academic year.
| Year | Total # of Enrolled Students (1) | Chapel Hill Campus | Asheville Campus* | Dual Degree - MBA (2) | Dual Degree - MPH (2) | Total Dual Degree Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 554 | 522 (94%) | 32 (6%) | 15 | 4 | 19 (3%) |
| 2022 | 560 | 517 (92%) | 43 (7%) | 20 | 6 | 26 (5%) |
| 2021 | 564 | 514 (91%) | 50 (9%) | 19 | 4 | 23 (4%) |
| 2020 | 573 | 507 (88%) | 66 (12%) | 18 | 10 | 28 (5%) |
| 2019 | 603 | 515 (85%) | 89 (15%) | 11 | 12 | 23 (4%) |
(1) Total # of Enrolled Students = Total count of unique student IDs that were enrolled as either full-time or part-time students by campus designation in the PharmD program in the Fall academic term (Post-Grades Snapshot). Includes estimates for Dual-Degree Students since they are enrolled in other Schools while completing the requirements of their program.
(2) Dual Degree = Total count of unique student IDs (PY1, PY2, PY3 or PY4) that were enrolled as either full-time or part-time students in the dual PharmD / MBA (Kenan-Flagler Business School) and PharmD / MPH (Gillings School of Global Public Health) program in the Fall academic term (Post-Grades Snapshot). Note – The dual-degree program counts by year are provided by the Office of Student Affairs annually (OSA) and are not available for automated reporting at this time.
*The Asheville campus opened in 2011.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
Student Outcomes
last updated on Mar. 10, 2023
On time graduation is an important success factor of the PharmD program and is a measure that is closely monitored.
| Graduating Year | Four-Year Graduation Rate (%) | Delayed (%)* | Dismissed (%) | Withdrew (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 97 | <7 | 0 | <2 |
| 2022 | 93 | <8 | 0 | <1 |
| 2021 | 97 | 3 | 0 | <1 |
| 2020 | 94 | <4 | <1 | <1 |
| 2019 | 90 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 96 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | 97 | 3 | <1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 96 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 93 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | 92 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2013 | 95 | 3 | <1 | <1 |
| 2012 | 92 | 3 | <1 | 4 |
| 2011 | 90 | 5 | 4 | <1 |
| 2010 | 95 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 | 94 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 | 97 | 2 | <1 | <1 |
2023: 11 students were delayed: 4 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MBA dual degree program, 3 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MPH dual degree program, 2 for leave of absence, 1 for medical leave, and 1 other
2022: 11 students were delayed: 5 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MPH dual degree program, 2 for leave of absence, 1 for medical leave, and 1 other
2021: 5 students were delayed: 2 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 for academic reasons, and 1 medical leave
2020: 6 students were delayed: 4 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MPH dual degree program, 1 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MBA dual degree program, 1 for medical reasons
2019: 13 students were delayed: 3 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MPH dual degree program, 1 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 for academic reasons, 3 for medical reasons, 3 for leave of absence, and 1 other
2018: 4 students were delayed: 3 for medical reasons and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MPH dual degree program
2017: 8 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, 3 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MPH dual degree program, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2016: 4 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 2 for medical reasons, and 1 for other reason
2015: 7 students were delayed: 4 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, and 2 for other reasons
2014: 7 students were delayed: 2 for academic reasons, 4 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2013: 5 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2012: 5 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 3 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2011: 7 students were delayed: 5 for medical reasons, 2 for other reasons
2010: 4 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 2 for medical reasons, and 1 for other reasons
2009: 4 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for other reason
2008: 2 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons
as of Jan. 26, 2024
The NAPLEX exam is a critical measure that helps School leadership assess our student’s relative competency performance against national benchmarks.
| Graduating Year | NAPLEX First-Time (%) | National Benchmark (%) | UNC Performance vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93 | 79 | 14% Higher |
| 2022 | 93 | 78 | 15% Higher |
| 2021* | 96 | 82 | 14% Higher |
| 2020 | 98 | 86 | 12% Higher |
| 2019 | 92 | 87 | 5% Higher |
| 2018 | 95 | 89 | 6% Higher |
| 2017 | 92 | 88 | 4% Higher |
| 2016 | 95 | 86 | 10% Higher |
* Revised NAPLEX blueprint occurred in 2021 – click here for details of the change.
as of Jan. 26, 2024
The MPJE exam is a critical measure that helps School leadership assess our student’s relative competency performance against national benchmarks.
| Graduating Year | MPJE In-state First-Time (%) | National Benchmark (%) | UNC Performance vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92 | 74 | 18% Higher |
| 2022 | 93 | 76 | 17% Higher |
| 2021 | 89 | 79 | 10% Higher |
| 2020 | 94 | 83 | 11% Higher |
| 2019 | 92 | 83 | 9% Higher |
| 2018 | 93 | 84 | 9% Higher |
| 2017 | 90 | N/A | N/A |
| 2016 | 95 | N/A | N/A |
as of Nov. 1, 2023
Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.
| Graduating Class Year | Total Graduates (1) | Position Acceptance Rate (2) | Residency (3) | Fellowship (4) | Employment (5) | Other (6) | Lost to Follow-Up (7) | North Carolina Position (8) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 155 | 148 (95%) | 80 (52%) | 23 (15%) | 42 (27%) | 3 (1%) | 7 (5%) | 51 (33%) |
| 2022 | 135 | 124 (92%) | 80 (59%) | 14 (10%) | 29 (21%) | 1 (1%) | 11 (8%) | 46 (34%) |
(1) Total number of students that graduated in May of the same graduating class year.
(2) The Position Acceptance Rate is the total amount of students that have accepted a position by November 1st divided by the total amount of students that graduated in May of the same graduating class year.
(3) Residency is defined as accepting a post graduate residency training position in any of the following specialties. Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Community, Hospital/Health System Admin, Managed Care or Other.
(4) Fellowship is defined as accepting a post graduate fellowship training position in any of the following specialties. Medical Affairs/Medical Information/Medical Communications, Clinical Research/Drug Development, Regulatory Affairs, Managed Care, Health Economics & Outcomes Research/Market Access, Drug Information, Commercial, Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics/Pharmacometrics.
(5) Employment is defined as accepting a position in Community Pharmacy (chain), Community Pharmacy (independent), Nuclear, Life Sciences Consulting, Long Term Care, Consulting or Other.
(6) Other is defined as any position accepted that is not categorized as employment, residency or fellowship. In some cases, this might be enrollment in postgraduate education.
(7) A student is considered lost to follow-up if our Career Service offices has not documented the position choice of the student by November 1st of the graduating year.
(8) A student is reported as in North Carolina if we have data that indicates their physical work location city and state. Note – If the employer is in another state and the student is working remotely in North Carolina, then we consider this a North Carolina placement.
2023 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2023. This was supplemented with student follow-up through November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2022. This was supplemented with student follow-up through November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
as of Oct. 16, 2023
The student’s choice of a position by preference at or around graduation is an important student success outcome factor that is closely monitored.
| Class Year | Residency secured with First Choice or Second Choice opportunity | Fellowship secured with First Choice or Second Choice opportunity | Employment secured with First Choice or Second Choice opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69 /80 = 86% | 21 / 23 = 91% | 25 / 41 = 61% |
| 2022 | 69 /80 = 86% | 13 / 14 = 93% | 21 / 29 = 72% |
2023 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2023. This was supplemented with student follow-up through November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/04/2022. This was supplemented with student follow-up through November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.
Authoritative Data Source – Report Catalog
as of Apr. 16, 2024
The following table provides comparative data on our graduating student residency match rates as reported by ASHP. Phase I data is typically released in March and Phase II in April.
| Graduating Year | Graduating Class Size | Students Registered for Match (1) | Phase I Matched and Rate (2) | Phase I + Phase II Matched and Rate | Residency In North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 119 | 81 (68%) | 67 (83%) | 73 (90%) | 27 (33%) |
| 2023 | 156 | 88 (56%) | 67 (77%) | 80 (91%) | 24 (27%) |
| 2022 | 134 | 88 (66%) | 70 (80%) | 79 (90%) | 27 (31%) |
| 2021 | 154 | 93 (60%) | 77 (83%) | 83 (89%) | 33 (35%) |
| 2020 | 145 | 97 (67%) | 72 (74%) | 76 (78%) | 27 (28%) |
(1) Student Registered for Match = As reported by the ASHP Match data for students indicating they planned to graduate in the current year of match. Note – Other students reported from previous graduating classes are not reported in these data.
(2) PG1 – Phase 1 Match Rate = As reported by the ASHP Match data. The match rate is consistently calculated as # Matched / (Matched + Non-Matched + Non-participants). Non-participants are students that registered to match but failed to meet all of the match process requirements. (for instance, they did not submit a rank list in time).