The University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences continued to be ranked among the best Schools of Pharmacy by U.S. News and World Report, coming in at number 20 out of 141 ranked schools. The annual rankings, released today, solidify the School’s status as a top institution for pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
“Being ranked number 20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to the incredible people across our School who show up every day with purpose and commitment to excellence,” said CU Anschutz Pharmacy Dean and Professor, Brian Tsuji, PharmD. “This milestone reflects a strong foundation as we continue to raise our aspirations, think boldly, and move forward, together, toward what’s next.”
CU Pharmacy’s impact is driven by a unique combination of strengths:
- A top-tier research enterprise, advancing high-impact discoveries in areas such as drug development, infectious diseases, pharmacotherapy, and precision medicine
- An innovative education model, including nationally recognized distance and hybrid pathways that expand access and prepare practice-ready graduates
- Deep clinical and interprofessional integration across the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, fostering collaboration with medicine, nursing, public health, and dentistry
- A focus on real-world impact, addressing critical healthcare challenges in Colorado and beyond, including rural health, aging populations, and emerging technologies like AI
U.S. News based its 2026 graduate health program rankings on surveys conducted in fall 2025 and early 2026. Participants, identified in summer 2025 or provided by accrediting organizations, rated programs on academic quality using a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). For pharmacy, 141 accredited Doctor of Pharmacy programs were included. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education provided U.S. News with the list of accredited schools and most of the survey respondents.
The ranking comes on the heels of the School’s recognition as one of the top 10 schools of pharmacy in the nation by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As CU Pharmacy continues to build on this momentum, the School remains committed to advancing its mission—educating the next generation of pharmacists and scientists, driving innovative research, and improving patient care locally and globally.
