University of Kansas Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Courses: 68 | Faculty: 63 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 193 | Acceptance Rate: 74% | Est. Class Size: 109 |
Program Description
The University of Kansas (KU) School of Pharmacy is a world-class teaching and research institution founded in 1885. The KU School of Pharmacy:
- Is a top 20 public school of pharmacy according to US News and World Report
- Has consistently been a top 10 school in National Institutes of Health funding for over two decades
- Graduating class of 2018 achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacists Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and 99% on the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)
- Produces pharmacists to serve the people of Kansas and the country
- Educates researchers who help solve the world’s most pressing issues in health care.
Our rich tradition, combined with a collaborative relationship between our Pharm.D. and research programs, sets us apart from other schools. KU students learn from many of the 400+ faculty and clinical preceptors, representing a vast array of practice settings and clinical expertise; all while learning the basic science principles of drug therapy from world–renowned researchers in the classroom. Our students graduate with a broad understanding of pharmacy, from discovery and formulation to delivery. Students enter our professional program after completing two years of pre-pharmacy coursework. .
The KU School of Pharmacy is one school, with a presence on three campuses. They are:
- Main campus in Lawrence
- KU Medical Center in Wichita.
- KU Medical Center in Kansas City
Approximately one half million dollars of scholarship money is awarded annually to pharmacy students. Reduced out-of-state tuition is available for qualified applicants from outside of Kansas.
For more program information see our website: http://www.pharmacy.ku.edu
PharmD Program Highlights
- Public Institution
- No Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $500 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Three (3) Letters of Reference are required
- Does not utilize the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 2010 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for University of Kansas
74%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 74%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for University of Kansas graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 91.6% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 83.2% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 91.5% | 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 (In-State): | $26,405 | per year |
| Tuition (Out-State): | $48,640 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school. Branch campus locations: Wichita, KS.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: 2.5 | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: 2.5 | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 67 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 40 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General Chemistry 1 with lab | 4/0 |
| General Chemistry 2 with lab | 4/0 |
| Organic Chemistry 1 with lab | 4/0 |
| Organic Chemistry 2 with lab | 4 |
| Molecular & Cellular Biology (lab not required) | 3/0 |
| Human anatomy (lab not required) | 3/0 |
| Microbiology with lab | 4/0 |
| Physiology with lab | 4/0 |
| Calculus | 3/0 |
| Statistics | 3/0 |
| Physics with lab | 4/0 |
| English Composition 1 | 3/0 |
| English Composition 2 | 3 |
| Public Speaking | 3/0 |
| ONE arts/humanities course from KU Core 34 category/code “AH.” See https://kucore.ku.edu/courses for applicable options. | 3/0 |
| ONE social/behavioral science course from KU Core 34 category/code “SBS.” See https://kucore.ku.edu/courses for applicable options. | 3/0 |
| ONE U.S. culture course from KU Core 34 category/code “USC.” See https://kucore.ku.edu/courses for applicable options. | 3/0 |
| ONE global culture course from KU Core 34 category/code “GLBC.” See https://kucore.ku.edu/courses for applicable options. | 3/0 |
| Relevant elective(s), as needed, to reach the minimum required 67 total earned credit hours prior to entering the KU PharmD program. Elective credit may be necessary to reach 67 earned credits if one’s science labs consist of less than two credit hours each. | |
| Total | 61 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Question? Please contact us at [email protected]
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies. Please contact us at [email protected] with questions pertaining to pass/fail grading and minimum grade requirements.
Completion timing: All prerequisites must be documented complete, with an official transcript showing satisfactory grade, by the start of fall 2027 classes (August 2027).
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Recommended But Not Required: Employer, Faculty Advisor, Health Care Professional, Pharmacist, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts), Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor
Accepted: Clergy, Co-Worker, Teaching Assistant
Conditionally Accepted: Friend, Politician
Not Accepted: Family Member
Committee letters: Accepted (counts as more than one: No)
Each applicant must submit two letters of recommendation through PharmCAS. We recommend that your references be current and from individuals with whom you have interacted within the past 24 months. Suggested references include professors, current or former employers, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Online interview option: Yes, but only on a case-by-case basis
Qualified applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis beginning in September. The interview process allows the admissions committee to learn more about each applicant’s experiences, goals, and potential for success in pharmacy. The committee considers qualities such as communication skills, professionalism, leadership, service, and understanding of the pharmacy profession. Throughout the interview experience, applicants have opportunities to interact with current students, faculty, and staff, ask questions, and gain insight into the academic and professional opportunities available at KU.
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: April 1, 2027
First day of classes: August 23, 2027
Application fee: $40
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? Yes
Pharmacy observation hours required? Recommended, but not required
Supplemental application requirement? Yes
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
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, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS AND Send an original foreign transcript directly to the school
TOEFL required: No
Applicants who are admitted for whom English is a second language must take an English skills competency examintion through the University of Kansas Applied English Center. For more information, please see https://world.ku.edu and/or contact [email protected].
Contact Information
Website: https://pharmacy.ku.edu/
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KUPharmacy/ | Instagram @kupharmacy |
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get into University of Kansas?
The acceptance rate is approximately 74%, so qualified applicants have a reasonable path in.
How much does pharmacy school at University of Kansas cost?
First-year tuition is about $26,405 for in-state students and $48,640 for out-of-state students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Kansas?
The published minimum is a 2.5 overall GPA, though stronger grades improve your odds considerably.
What is University of Kansas’ PharmCAS deadline?
For the 2026–27 cycle, University of Kansas’ final PharmCAS deadline is June 1, 2027. A priority deadline of April 1, 2027 offers earlier review.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at University of Kansas?
No — University of Kansas admits students who have completed the prerequisite coursework, with or without a bachelor’s degree. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is University of Kansas’ NAPLEX pass rate?
In 2025, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 91.6%, as reported by NABP.