Pharmacy Schools in New Jersey - 2024

As of 2021, there are 9,060 pharmacists working in the state, drawing an average annual salary of $123,370. Pharmacists in New Jersey have a rather rough career path ahead. In spite of the increasing use of prescription drugs, pharmacists in the state are losing job positions due to mergers of pharmacies where pharmacy positions are being cut down. To become a licensed pharmacist you must complete your Pharm. D. programs from either of the 2 pharmacy schools in the state. To help you get the best educational experience from this small choice we have ranked the pharmacy schools in New Jersey based on their NAPLEX performance.

Our Ranking Methodology

We have mainly based our ranking of pharmacy colleges in New Jersey on their NAPLEX performance. Passing the licensure exam is an important milestone towards becoming a licensed pharmacist. A successful performance on the NAPLEX greatly indicates a school's positive educational outcome by providing a conducive learning environment and robust academic support by its faculty. Each school in the state was closely evaluated for its NAPLEX performance in the last four years, with 40% weightage given to 2021, 30% to 2020, 20% to 2019 and 10% to 2018.

NAPLEX Pass Rate YearWeightage
201810%
201920%
202030%
202140%


2024 Ranking of ACPE Accredited Pharmacy Schools in New Jersey

#1. Rutgers University

Ranking Score: 88.40%
Location: New Brunswick
Accreditation: ACPE

About the College: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) - associated with Rutgers University - is committed to contribute to the world of science and pharmacy through its innovative research-focused laboratories and classroom studies. EMSOP has access to more than 1,800 clinical practice sites, facilitating nation's most extensive practical experience to its students.

Program Details: EMSOP offers one of the most research-emphasized PharmD programs in NJ, providing student pharmacists with the best laboratory equipment and instructive classrooms. Upon successful completion of the 2-year pre-professional course, you can seamlessly enroll in this 4-year PharmD program where your coursework is classified into three years of patient-focused and result-oriented studies in pharmacy and an introductory level of practical experience in practice settings, whereas your last year of coursework is dedicated to advanced level of pharmacy practices.

*EMSOP also offers 4 PharmD dual degree options: PharmD/MD, PharmD/MPH, PharmD/MBA, and PharmD/PhD.

Rutgers University NAPLEX Performance
Year # of Students Attempted Pass Rate
201817090.00%
201919089.00%
202018584.00%
202115091.00%



#2. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Ranking Score: 81.54%
Location: Madison
Accreditation: ACPE

About the College: Fairleigh Dickinson University's School of Pharmacy and Health Science is one of the leading pharmacy schools in NJ that offers two-degree options; enabling students to concurrently undergo specific area of study along with a PharmD degree. The highly accomplished faculty at this private school delivers value-based education through the best learning platforms and medical equipment.

Program Details: Amalgamated with the latest technology, global standards and a dedicated effort to enhance the healthcare field, Fairleigh's school of pharmacy designed the curriculum of its 4-year PharmD program with innovative learning solutions. The coursework during the first three professional years is divided into two semesters - fall and spring - and includes fundamental studies on pharmacy, pharmaceuticals, integrated pharmacotherapy, and other relevant courses. You will also be exposed to introductory pharmacy practice experiences during these three years. In the last and final year, you go through pharmacy capstone and an advanced experience in five different pharmacy practice settings.

Fairleigh Dickinson University NAPLEX Performance
Year # of Students Attempted Pass Rate
20187784.42%
20197186.00%
20206577.00%
20216182.00%



Licensure - Passing the NAPLEX and MPJE in New Jersey

To become a licensed pharmacist in New Jersey, you must first apply to state board. Thereafter, purchase the NAPLEX as well as MPJE from the NABP site. Take and pass both these exams to earn your status as a licensed pharmacist.



New Jersey Pharm.D. Graduates NAPLEX Performance (2018-2021)

New Jersey has had fewer number of pharmacy graduates take the NAPLEX in the last four years when compared to other major states. In 2018, only 247 graduates passed the NAPLEX with an aggregate of 87.21%. On the other hand, recently in 2021, number of graduates 211, however the performance has raised with graduates passing the exam with above average aggregate of 86.50%.

School Location 2018 2019 2020 2021
#Taken Pass % #Taken Pass % #Taken Pass % #Taken Pass %
Rutgers University New Brunswick 170 90.00% 190 89.00% 185 84.00% 150 91.00%
Fairleigh Dickinson University Madison 77 84.42% 71 86.00% 65 77.00% 61 82.00%
Overall New Jersey NAPLEX Performance 247 87.21% 261 87.50% 250 80.50% 211 86.50%



Pharmacist Salary in in New Jersey

Pharmacists in New Jersey earn an annual average salary of $123,370 which is much lower than the national pharmacist salary of $125,690. Part-time pharmacists in the state earn an annual wage of $59.31 which is again lower than the national hourly wage of $60.43.

TypeSalary
Hourly$59.31
Monthly$10,280
Annual$123,370
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics



Pharmacist Job Outlook in New Jersey

Well, NJ is one of the few states in the nation with the lowest employment growth rate for pharmacists. Considering a period of 10 years, from 2020 to 2030, the growth rate for pharmacists jobs in the state is projected to be at a dismal 1.08% in negetive compared to the national growth rate of 2.14% in negative. By 2030, there will be 10,300 pharmacists working in the state. Each year the state will have 400 job openings, including new as well as replacement positions.

2020 Employment2030 EmploymentGrowthProjected Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)
NumberPercent
10,19010,3001101.08%400
Source: Career One Stop



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