University of Colorado

University of Colorado Quick Facts

Program Description

Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – more than 100 years of experience

• Ranked in the top 15% of pharmacy schools in the country
• 98.47% of 2018 graduates from our program who took the NAPLEX for the first time passed, (National pass rate was 91.64%)
• #11 in the nation for NIH and total funding
• Located 15 minutes east of downtown Denver in Aurora, CO
• 15+ Student Organizations

Anschutz Medical Campus

• A world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine, and healthcare
• 3 of the top hospitals in the nation: University of Colorado, Children’s, and the RMR VA Medical Center
• The state-of-the-art facility is located on a 227-acre campus
• $500 million in research grants

Student Outcomes

Employment Rate:

• 95% of the Class of 2018 were employed in a full-time or part-time pharmacy position, or in a residency or fellowship program within one year after graduation

Residency Rate:

•  Current graduates from the class of 2019 applying and participating in the PGY1 2019 Residency Match, matched at a 70% success rate for combined Phase I and Phase II. (National match rate was 67%)

PharmD Program Highlights

• Public Institution
• Baccalaureate Not Required
• $400 deposit to hold acceptance
• Conducts interviews of applicants
• Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
• Minimum Two (2) Letters of Reference are required
• Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
• Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service

Location

Location:12850 E. Montview Blvd., C238 Aurora, Colorado 80045

Interactive map

Acceptance Rate for University of Colorado

26%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 26%

NAPLEX Pass Rates

First-time NAPLEX pass rates for University of Colorado graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.

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

First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school.

Requirements

GPA and Test Scores

Course Prerequisites Table

Prerequisite Coursework Policies

Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy will accept online prerequisite coursework.

Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies.

Completion timing: All prerequisite coursework must be completed before matriculation into the PharmD program, which begins in early August each fall. Applicants planning to complete prerequisite coursework after the spring semester must obtain approval from the Admissions Team by submitting a Summer Extension Waiver. Approval is not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Letter of Recommendation Requirements

Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.

Recommended But Not Required: Employer, Health Care Professional, Professor (Science), Supervisor

Accepted: Faculty Advisor, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts), Professor (Math)

Conditionally Accepted: Pharmacist, Teaching Assistant

Not Accepted: Clergy, Co-Worker, Family Member, Friend, Politician

Committee letters: Accepted (counts as more than one: No)

Two (2) evaluations are required through the PharmCAS evaluation form. Evaluations should be completed by individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic ability, professional skills, work ethic, leadership, communication, and potential for success in a rigorous professional degree program. Application review may begin with one completed evaluation; however, a second evaluation must be received by June 1. Evaluations from coworkers, friends, family members, or personal acquaintances will not be accepted.

Interview Information

Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer

Online interview option: Yes

Applicants selected for an interview may complete either a virtual or in-person interview and become eligible for admission consideration. Candidates are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus Interview Day or Campus Visit Day following their interview, pending availability. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about the PharmD program through presentations from the Dean of Students, faculty, and the Office of Experiential Programs, as well as a campus tour led by student ambassadors and lunch with current students. Guests are welcome to attend campus events, with a limit of 2 per applicant.

More about the interview process

Applying

Deadline

June 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: November 2, 2026
Applicants who submit a complete application by the Priority Deadline will receive several benefits, including a waiver of the $400 enrollment deposit, priority consideration for available scholarships, and an admissions decision in time to plan for fall enrollment. Applying by the Priority Deadline is strongly encouraged to take full advantage of these opportunities.
First day of classes: August 9, 2027

General School Information

Program

Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? Yes
Pharmacy observation hours required? No
Supplemental application requirement? Varies
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? Yes
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No

Pharmacy School Tour Video

Additional Program Pathways

This school also offers the following PharmD entry routes and pathways (2027 application cycle):

• University of Colorado — 4 years; online/distance; application deadline June 1, 2027

International Applicants

Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: Yes
The University of Colorado requires the TOEFL unless one of our alternative English Language Proficiency standards has been met: https://pharmacy.cuanschutz.edu/academics/pharmd/admissions-information#international

Contact Information

Website: http://www.ucdenver.edu/Pharmacy

Social Profiles