Marshall B. Ketchum University Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Courses: 48 | Faculty: 24 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 184 | Acceptance Rate: 12% | Est. Class Size: 37 |
Program Description
In 1904, Marshall B. Ketchum, MD, applied his training in pharmacy and ophthalmology to start a college that would eventually become Marshall B. Ketchum University. With well over 100 years of experience training health care providers, MBKU has both the knowledge and resources to continue providing a world-class educational experience.
When the university decided to start a pharmacy program, we did so with the future of health care in mind. It was imperative that the curriculum be setup in a way that graduates would be eligible to work as advanced practice pharmacists and work alongside future clinicians from other healthcare disciplines.
With approximately 52 seats per class, students will have substantial access to faculty, administration and each other. This access allows for consistent collaboration in learning and scholarship that will prove to enhance student success in the program and beyond. Additionally, a small class size allows students to customize their educational experience and to gives them the best opportunity to pursue their career goals.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- Baccalaureate Preferred
- $1500 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Three (3) Letters of Reference are required
- Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Participates in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd. Fullerton, California 92831
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Marshall B. Ketchum University
12%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 12%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Marshall B. Ketchum University graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 84.0% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 61.7% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 63.0% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition: | $49,910 | Per Year |
| Tuition Fee: | $635 | Per Year |
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: No minimum | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 48 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 27 |
| Total number of college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 71 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General Biology (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| General Biology (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| Microbiology | 3/3 |
| Organic Chemistry (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| Organic Chemistry (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| General Chemistry (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| General Chemistry (with labs, one year sequence) | 3/4 |
| Calculus | 3/4 |
| Human Anatomy (with lab) | 3/4 |
| Human Physiology (with lab) | 3/4 |
| English (Preferred: composition, Critical Reading and Writing, Critical Analysis, Technical Writing) *requirement waived for students with a Bachelors Degree. | 3/3 |
| Communication course (Preferred: Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication) | 3/3 |
| Psychology | 3/3 |
| Economics (Macro or Micro) | 3/3 |
| Preferred: Human Behavior, Cognitive Science, Neuropsychology, Applied Behavioral Science, Social Psychology *requirement waived for students with a Bachelors Degree. | 3/3 |
| Total | 45 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Please contact us directly if you have any questions about prerequisite courses and to set up an advising appointment.
Pass/fail grades: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Please contact us directly if you have any questions about prerequisite courses.
Completion timing: Applicants must complete their prerequisite courses before matriculation in August
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Letters of recommendation are not required.
Strongly Preferred: Pharmacist and Science Faculty. Also Recommended: Immediate supervisor, healthcare provider, non-science faculty
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer
Online interview option: Yes, but only on a case-by-case basis
Applicants will interview with with one College of Pharmacy faculty memeber. These are 30-minute closed file interviews.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
First day of classes: August 16, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? No
Part of an academic health center? No
Pharmacy observation hours required? Recommended, but not required
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Preferred
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: No
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: Yes
TOEFL scores may be required for applicants with a foreign degree.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.ketchum.edu/pharmacy
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MBKetchumUniversity/ | Instagram: @mbketchumu |
Marshall B. Ketchum University: Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of applicants does Marshall B. Ketchum University accept?
Marshall B. Ketchum University accepts roughly 12% of PharmD applicants, making it one of the more selective programs in the country.
How much does pharmacy school at Marshall B. Ketchum University cost?
First-year tuition runs about $49,910 for all students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees and living costs.
What GPA do you need to get into Marshall B. Ketchum University?
Marshall B. Ketchum University does not publish a hard GPA minimum; applications are reviewed holistically, with prerequisite grades carrying the most weight.
When is the application deadline for Marshall B. Ketchum University?
For the 2026–27 cycle, Marshall B. Ketchum University’s final PharmCAS deadline is June 1, 2027.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to get into Marshall B. Ketchum University?
A bachelor’s isn’t strictly required at Marshall B. Ketchum University, though degree-holders are preferred. The PharmD itself takes four years.
How do Marshall B. Ketchum University’s graduates do on the NAPLEX?
In 2025, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 84.0%, as reported by NABP.