Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's pharmaceutical sciences bachelor's pulls in $57,096 at the one-year mark—about $8,000 above the national median and landing in the 73rd percentile nationally. With just under $20,000 in typical debt, graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, meaning they owe roughly four months' salary. That's significantly better than the national median debt of $23,400 for this program.

The Indiana picture is harder to read since only two schools in the state offer this degree, making the 60th percentile ranking less meaningful. What matters more: Purdue graduates are entering a field where early earnings vary wildly depending on role—some move directly toward pharmacy school or graduate programs, while others take technician or industry positions that pay quite differently. The relatively low debt load gives graduates flexibility to pursue either path without financial strain.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the debt figure is particularly encouraging for a program at a selective public university. For families weighing this against direct-entry PharmD programs elsewhere, this bachelor's offers a lower-cost entry point into pharmaceutical sciences, though you'll want to clarify whether your student plans to stop here or continue to graduate school—that decision dramatically changes the return calculation.