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Compare Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Compare Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Why This Matters

  • 60% OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS ONLY HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

    However, you can also study to become a pharmacy technician if you’ve been awarded a certificate for training completed after high school.

  • PHARMACY TECHNICIAN JOBS TO GROW 4% BY 2029

    The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) estimates that approximately 437,600 pharmacy technicians will be employed in 2029, as opposed to 2019’s 422,300 technicians.

  • 50% OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS EARN MORE THAN THE ANNUAL AVERAGE

    Although the remaining half earns less than the median annual wage of $35,100, the top 10% were paid well above $50,430 annually.

Our Research

Our list ranks the top pharmacy technician training programs based on variables such as the most affordable, most comprehensive, best for certification, and best full-time options. These programs typically award a certificate or advanced degree upon completion.

Besides that, our list comprises pharmacy technician programs that have been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). They typically accredit programs that involve at least 600 hours of instruction within a minimum of 15 weeks.

Why Trust Us

The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.

  • Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
  • 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
  • Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
  • Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources

How we rank schools

Our list features the best online Pharmacy Technician Training degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:

Academic Quality:

  • Admission rate versus enrollment rate
  • Retention rate of students who return after year one
  • Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
  • Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions

Graduation Rate

  • Overall graduation rate
  • Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
  • Student-to-faculty ratio

Cost and ROI

  • In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
  • Required credits to graduate
  • Earning potential after graduation
  • Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options

Student Resources

  • Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
  • On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries

Read more about our ranking methodology.

  • 60 hours to write this article
  • 70 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 114 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Best Online Pharmacy Technician Training Programs badge
01
Intelligent Pick
North Central Missouri College
01
Best Hybrid Option
Southeast Community College
01
Best in the South
Aiken Technical College
01
Best Experiential Option
North Dakota State College of Science
01
Most Affordable
Allen County Community College
01
Best Stackable Option
State Fair Community College
01
Best for Adult Learners
Sinclair Community College
01
Best Exam Prep
Northwest Iowa Community College
01
Best for Transfer Students
Rasmussen University
01
Best for Working Professionals
Barton Community College
01
Best in the Northwest
University of Alaska Anchorage
01
Best Certification Options
Lakeshore Technical College
01
Best in the West
California State University, San Bernardino
01
Best for Articulation
North Central Kansas Technical College
01
Best Externships
North Seattle College
01
Best Part-Time Option
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
01
Best for PTCB Training
Vance-Granville Community College
01
Best for Early Entry
Stanly Community College
01
Best Stackable Option
Foothill College
01
Best Start Dates
Brookline College
01
Best Career Services
Ogeechee Technical College
01
Best Practicum Option
Angelina College
01
Best Full-Time Option
Oconee Fall Line Technical College
01
Fastest to Completion
Lanier Technical College
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Forsyth Technical Community College
01
Best Small Tech College Program, South
North Georgia Technical College
01
Best for Vets
Central Piedmont Community College
01
Best Credit for Prior Learning
Western Technical College
01
Best Entry-Level Option
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
01
Best for Job Placement
West Georgia Technical College
01
Most Comprehensive
Southern Crescent Technical College
01
Best Dual Enrollment Option
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
01
Best Pathway Options
Durham Technical Community College
01
Best for Certification Review
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

Discover More Options

What You Should Know About This Degree

If you’re interested in the medical field, there are similar options you could pursue. You can decide to join a program for medical assistants, dental assistants, medical records and health information technicians, or medical transcriptionists. Consider whether you’d rather work more with patients or behind the scenes in records.

Typically, most states require potential pharmacy technician students to have a high school diploma or GED. Moreover, some states or employers may need pharmacy technicians to be certified. In that context, only two organizations, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), can provide certification.

The employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 4% by 2029. As members of the general population continue aging, the dependence on prescription medications will eventually increase, leading to an increased need for pharmacy technicians.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online pharmacy technician training programs:

  • How long does it take to complete this program? How long it takes to get certified as a professional pharmacy technician may vary depending on your employer’s requirements. However, most programs award a certificate after one year of study. Some training programs may last longer, leading to an advanced degree.
  • Am I eligible for this program? You will likely need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for an on-the-job training program. You may also be eligible if you’ve completed a post-secondary education program in pharmacy technology. However, the typical process of becoming a pharmacy technician involves passing an exam or completing a training program for your formal education.

As you look for a pharmacy technician training program, remember to keep track of all the deadlines and materials needed for application and financial aid.