Top 15 Pharmaceutical Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas is home to a robust and highly competitive landscape for pharmaceutical education, featuring a mix of nationally ranked public institutions and specialized private schools. The state’s pharmacy programs are Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), which are essential for licensure as a pharmacist.

These programs are rigorous, typically spanning four years of professional study, and offer students access to world-class research facilities, diverse clinical rotation sites, and strong career placement in the growing healthcare sector.

Top 15 Pharmaceutical Schools In Texas

1. The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy (Austin)

The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is the #1 pharmacy school in Texas and was ranked #8 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings, maintaining its position as the state’s premier institution. The program has earned a 4.2 peer assessment score and is led by a faculty with over $20 million in research funding.

The Pharm.D. program features a 92% residency match rate, the highest in Texas, and offers students clinical rotations beginning in the first semester, with the entire fourth year dedicated to real-world experiences. The college was founded in 1893 and is internationally recognized for its groundbreaking research and innovative interdisciplinary education.

2. Texas A&M University Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy (College Station and Kingsville)

Texas A&M’s Rangel College of Pharmacy was created specifically to help address the shortage of pharmacists in the border region between Texas and Mexico. The college operates on two campuses: one in College Station and one in Kingsville, and its four-year program consists of 146 semester credits of classroom and laboratory coursework, and 38 semester credits of clinical rotations, with the final year entirely devoted to real-world experiences in healthcare facilities throughout South Texas.

The college is accredited by ACPE and offers a concurrent Pharm.D./MBA curriculum for students interested in the pharmacological industry or management roles, and it is ranked among the top 50 pharmacy programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report .

3. The University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy (Tyler)

The University of Texas at Tyler is one of the newer pharmacy schools in Texas and has quickly gained recognition for its strong academic outcomes . In 2025, the college achieved a 95.5% first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination), ranking it among the top 15 pharmacy schools nationally for this key licensure exam. The program is a four-year, public Pharm.D. program with a priority deadline of December 1 and a final application deadline of June 1 . The school serves the East Texas region with a focus on accessible pharmacy education.

4. University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy (San Antonio)

The University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy is a fully accredited Pharm.D. program located in San Antonio. As a private, faith-based institution, it provides a unique educational environment that integrates professional pharmacy training with the university’s mission of service and ethical leadership. The school offers a four-year professional program and is accredited by ACPE, ensuring graduates are eligible for licensure.

5. Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy (Houston)

Texas Southern University is a diverse institution with a strong mission to help resolve disparities in health status between economically disadvantaged minorities and the general population. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a Pharm.D. program that prepares students for both research and clinical careers, including an IV Certification program for second-year students that meets Texas State Board of Pharmacy requirements for compounding sterile preparations.

The college provides clinical rotations at prestigious healthcare facilities such as North and South Texas Veterans Administration Hospitals, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic.

6. The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy (El Paso)

The University of Texas at El Paso offers a four-year Pharm.D. program that is fully accredited by ACPE . The program is a public institution with a priority deadline of May 1 and serves the West Texas and border region. The school is committed to addressing the unique healthcare needs of the El Paso and border communities.

7. The University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy (Dallas-Fort Worth Area)

The University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy is a growing program serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The program is ACPE-accredited and offers a comprehensive four-year curriculum designed to prepare graduates for careers in pharmacy practice and research.

8. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy (Lubbock)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy is a major institution in West Texas, providing pharmacy education to a large, rural region of the state. The school is fully accredited by ACPE and offers a comprehensive Pharm.D. program that includes extensive clinical training opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings.

9. The University of Houston College of Pharmacy (Houston)

The University of Houston College of Pharmacy is a well-established program located in the Texas Medical Center area, providing students with access to world-class clinical training facilities. The program is fully accredited and offers a comprehensive curriculum preparing graduates for diverse careers in pharmacy.

10. Stephen F. Austin State University Pre-Pharmacy Program (Nacogdoches)

Stephen F. Austin State University offers a pre-pharmacy program designed to help students complete the prerequisite coursework required for admission to professional pharmacy schools.

While the university does not offer a Pharm.D. degree itself, it provides the foundational courses needed to apply to pharmacy programs across Texas, including 20 semester hours of biology, 16 hours of chemistry, eight hours of physics, six hours of mathematics, and 12 hours of English and speech. A bachelor’s degree is recommended due to the competitiveness of admission to Pharm.D. programs.

11. The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy (San Antonio Campus)

The UT Austin College of Pharmacy operates a campus in San Antonio at the McDermott Building at The University of Texas Health Science Center. This campus has provided facilities for the education and training of pharmacy students, residents, and fellows since 1972 and houses faculty and staff in the college’s Division of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Sciences.

12. The University of Texas at Austin Graduate Programs (Austin)

Beyond the Pharm.D., the UT Austin College of Pharmacy offers graduate programs leading to research-focused M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in pharmacy, including an inter-institutional Ph.D. program in translational research . The college has longstanding and well-developed graduate training programs in pharmaceutical sciences and translational sciences, preparing students for careers in research and academia .

13. Texas Southern University Pre-Pharmacy Program (Houston)

Texas Southern University offers undergraduate pre-pharmacy coursework that prepares students for admission to its professional Pharm.D. program or other pharmacy schools. The university’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences provides a pathway for students to complete the prerequisites needed for a career in pharmacy.

14. Pre-Pharmacy Advising at Texas A&M University (College Station)

Texas A&M University offers pre-pharmacy advising for undergraduate students preparing to apply to Pharm.D. programs. The university provides guidance on completing prerequisite coursework and building a competitive application for professional pharmacy schools.

15. Pre-Pharmacy Advising at the University of Texas at Austin (Austin)

The University of Texas at Austin provides pre-pharmacy advising for undergraduate students planning to apply to the College of Pharmacy. The university offers comprehensive guidance on prerequisite courses and the competitive application process.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Applying

Start by researching each program’s specific prerequisites, as pharmacy schools have detailed coursework requirements in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English, and a bachelor’s degree is highly recommended for competitive admission.

Be aware of the application deadlines; programs like UT Austin have a priority deadline of October 1, while others like UT Tyler have a final deadline of June 1.

Prepare for the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) and aim for a competitive score, as it is a key component of the application.

Consider the program’s NAPLEX pass rates, such as UT Tyler’s 95.5% first-time pass rate, as these are indicators of program quality .

Look into clinical rotation opportunities and research experiences; programs like the UT Austin College of Pharmacy, with its $20 million in research funding, offer significant opportunities for hands-on learning and career development.

Closing

Texas offers a comprehensive and highly competitive selection of pharmaceutical schools, anchored by the nationally #1-ranked UT Austin College of Pharmacy and featuring a mix of public and private institutions across the state. From the NAPLEX top-performer at UT Tyler to the border-focused Texas A&M program and the faith-based UIW, Texas pharmacy schools provide diverse pathways to a rewarding career. When choosing a program, consider accreditation, NAPLEX pass rates, program mission, and clinical training opportunities.

Note that all information, including rankings and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.