Butler University’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program continues to gain national recognition, now ranking among the top private programs in the country while maintaining a strong national standing. 

In the latest rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, Butler’s Pharmacy program is ranked No. 3 nationally among private colleges and universities and No. 38 overall out of more than 140 accredited pharmacy programs. That distinction places Butler among a select group of private institutions recognized for academic quality in a field central to the future of healthcare. 

The U.S. News pharmacy rankings are based primarily on peer evaluations from academic leaders at accredited pharmacy schools, who rate programs on a 1–5 scale of academic quality. Final scores are calculated using a trimmed mean that removes the highest and lowest ratings, helping ensure consistency across responses. 

This approach emphasizes reputation among deans, faculty, and administrators who are deeply familiar with program rigor, outcomes, and impact across the discipline. 

For Butler, the ranking aligns with a long track record of strong student outcomes—reinforced by recent performance on the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). 

Among the Class of 2024, 90.6 percent of Butler graduates passed the NAPLEX on their first attempt, well above the national average of 77.5 percent. Over the past three years, Butler has consistently ranked among the top 15 programs nationally for first-time pass rates, with earlier cohorts achieving rates as high as 97 percent—one of the strongest outcomes in the country.  

Dr. Robert Soltis, Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, views the recognition as both an affirmation and a responsibility: 

“This ranking reflects the strength of our faculty, the success of our students, and the impact our graduates are making across the profession. It also reinforces our commitment to continuously evolving pharmacy education—ensuring our graduates are prepared to lead in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.” 

As Butler continues to expand its footprint in the health professions, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is preparing for a pending name change to the College of Health Professions, reflecting the growing breadth of its academic programs and its role in shaping the future of healthcare education. 

Additional information about Butler’s Pharmacy program is available on their website.