Choosing a Program by Relying on Pharmacy School Rankings If you have decided you want to join become a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you will need to research pharmacy schools in your area. With over 100 accredited pharmacy institutes in the United States alone, prospects have several different options. While you may not know which schools are best to learn at the pace you prefer or the platform you need, pharmacy school rankings are a powerful tool to assist you during the decision process. With a number of different pharmacy school ranking listed based on different criteria, potential students can access numerous sources and compare the rankings of schools in each. A popular source to review pharmacy institution rankings is US News and World Report. This source uses ratings provided by faculty and staff and rates a pharmacy program based on a points scale. Answers from surveys are averaged to come to a median score to be posted for reference of students and teachers. While these are technically perception based rankings, they have become extremely helpful for those trying to find schools that are perceived the best. The US News and World Report rankings are not updated on an annual basis, so with new accredited schools launching programs, it may be difficult to rate all of the schools in your area. For more info about pharmacy school rankings click here. If you are looking for rankings focusing on criteria and not expert perception, consider referencing USPHARMD or Studentsreviews. Rankings are based on user submission and are rated on inputs of students and different groups. While ratings are designed to assist you in deciding which school is best, you must also consider other factors including cost, location, program content, duration of programs, scheduling, class size, reputation, job placement, and training opportunities offered through internships. In comparison to other medical professional education requirements, pharmacy schooling costs much less. If you are seriously considering taking the step to become a licensed technician or pharmacist, know what to expect in terms of schooling and set a reasonable goal for yourself. With all of the resources available online, you can narrow down the right program for you.