Understanding the Cost of Pharmacy Education at Creighton University
Choosing a college, especially for a professional degree like Pharmacy, is a significant personal and financial decision. Creighton University, with its School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, aims to provide transparency and support throughout the financial aid and scholarship process. Learning at Creighton starts with purpose, offering students the opportunity to discover their passions through hands-on experiences, whether it's research, patient care, or innovative projects. With over 140 programs available in areas like nursing, business, and arts and sciences, students are well-prepared for their future careers. In fact, 98% of grads are employed, engaged in service programs, or pursuing graduate studies within six months of graduation. This article breaks down the costs associated with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at Creighton University, offering a detailed look at tuition, fees, and other expenses.
The Creighton Experience: More Than Just a Degree
Creighton University distinguishes itself with a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that students receive personalized attention and mentorship. Professors serve as mentors, fostering each student's potential. A diverse community, with nearly 80% of undergraduates coming from outside Nebraska, creates an open and welcoming environment. Learning extends beyond the classroom, with 83% of students participating in internships or research before graduating. Opportunities for studying abroad, serving communities globally, and exploring Omaha, a city recognized for young professionals, further enrich the educational experience. Accessibility and support are paramount, with 99% of students receiving financial aid through merit scholarships, need-based support, and comprehensive guidance.
PharmD Curriculum and Experiential Learning
Creighton’s PharmD program is a four-year curriculum that integrates didactic coursework, Pharmacy Skills Labs, and Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) in the first three years. The curriculum is structured around a spiraling Introduce-Reinforce-Demonstrate (IRD) model. The IRD model builds competence by structuring learning in a purposefully integrated cycle of increasing complexity. This model ensures competence by structuring learning in a cycle of increasing complexity. Upon graduation, students are equipped to provide collaborative care based on therapeutic principles, evidence-based data, and research. The final year involves 40 weeks of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) from June to May, accounting for approximately 30% of the curriculum.
The IPPEs introduce students to various pharmacy practice settings, particularly in hospital and community environments, laying the groundwork for APPEs. These experiences include:
- Year 1: IPPE 1 consists of six four-hour shadow visits.
- Summer of Year 1: IPPE 2 is a three-week community setting experience.
- Summer of Year 2: IPPE 3 is a three-week hospital setting experience.
- Spring of Year 3: IPPE 4 involves 32 hours of clinical practice.
During the fourth year, students complete eight five-week APPEs (rotations) on a full-time basis. Required APPEs include Community Pharmacy Practice, Hospital Pharmacy Practice, Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, and Drug Information or Medication Therapy Management.
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Creighton’s Office of Experiential Education manages both IPPEs and APPEs, with a database of over 1,000 pharmacy practice sites across the country, offering opportunities in all 50 states. Preceptors at these sites are highly trained pharmacists with expertise in their specialty area of pharmacy practice. Cross-Cultural Programs offer pharmacy students opportunities to provide healthcare to underserved individuals globally.
Cost of Attendance: On-Campus vs. Distance
Creighton University offers both on-campus and distance learning options for its PharmD program. The cost of attendance varies depending on the format and year of study.
On-Campus Program (Omaha & Phoenix)
2026-2027 Academic Year (9 Months)
- 1st Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $83,356, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the technology fee, $284 for the program fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $1,800 for books/supplies, $2,000 for a computer, $300 for other expenses, $100 for clinical travel, $4,424 for health insurance, $530 for loan fees, and $62 for the HUB Fee.
- 2nd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $82,705, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university tech fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $300 for other expenses, $300 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $1,200 for books/supplies, $4,424 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 3rd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $82,350, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university tech fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $200 for other expenses, $500 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $75 for CPR certification, $670 for books/supplies, $4,424 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
2026-2027 Academic Year (12 Months)
- 4th Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $114,482, including $62,895 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university tech fee, $13,800 for housing, $6,493 for food, $14,437 for personal expenses, $4,296 for transportation, $150 for other expenses, $270 for the NAPLEX prep course student fee, $900 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $620 for books/supplies, $4,424 for health insurance, and $3,750 for loan fees.
2025-2026 Academic Year (9 Months)
- 1st Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $84,495, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the technology fee, $277 for the program fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $3,320 for transportation, $1,800 for books/supplies, $2,000 for a computer, $300 for other expenses, $100 for clinical travel, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 2nd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $81,943, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the technology fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $3,320 for transportation, $300 for other expenses, $300 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $1,200 for books/supplies, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 3rd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $81,588, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the university tech fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $200 for other expenses, $500 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $75 for CPR certification, $3,320 for transportation, $670 for books/supplies, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
2025-2026 Academic Year (12 Months)
- 4th Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $108,479, including $61,362 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the university tech fee, $30,812 for the living allowance, $3,984 for transportation, $150 for other expenses, $1,500 for clinical travel, $125 for professional membership, $620 for books/supplies, $3,916 for health insurance, and $3,750 for loan fees.
Distance Program
2026-2027 Academic Year (9 Months)
- 1st Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $86,006, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the technology fee, $284 for the program fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $1,800 for books/supplies, $2,000 for a computer, $300 for other expenses, $100 for clinical travel, $650 for campus orientation travel, $2,000 for campus travel - labs, $4,424 for health insurance, $62 for the HUB Fee, and $530 for loan fees.
- 2nd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $83,980, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university technology fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $1,200 for books/supplies, $300 for other expenses, $300 for clinical travel, $1,400 for campus travel - labs, $4,424 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 3rd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $83,625, including $41,930 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university tech fee, $334 for the lab fee, $10,350 for housing, $4,870 for food, $10,828 for personal expenses, $3,222 for transportation, $670 for books/supplies, $200 for other expenses, $500 for clinical travel, $1,400 for clinical travel - labs, $75 for CPR certification, $4,424 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
2026-2027 Academic Year (12 Months)
- 4th Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $115,937, including $62,895 for tuition, $1,676 for the university fee, $646 for the university tech fee, $13,800 for housing, $6,493 for food, $14,437 for personal expenses, $4,296 for transportation, $150 for other expenses, $900 for clinical travel, $250 for the NAPLEX prep course student fee, $1,600 for campus graduation travel, $620 for books/supplies, $4,424 for health insurance, and $3,750 for loan fees.
2025-2026 Academic Year (9 Months)
- 1st Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $87,145, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the technology fee, $277 for the program fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $3,320 for transportation, $1,800 for books/supplies, $2,000 for a computer, $300 for other expenses, $100 for clinical travel, $650 for campus orientation travel, $2,000 for campus travel - labs, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 2nd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $83,218, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the technology fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $3,320 for transportation, $1,200 for books/supplies, $300 for other expenses, $300 for clinical travel, $1,400 for campus travel - labs, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
- 3rd Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $82,863, including $40,908 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the university tech fee, $326 for the lab fee, $26,788 for the living allowance, $3,320 for transportation, $670 for books/supplies, $200 for other expenses, $500 for clinical travel, $1,400 for clinical travel - labs, $75 for CPR certification, $3,916 for health insurance, and $2,500 for loan fees.
2025-2026 Academic Year (12 Months)
- 4th Year Pharmacy: Total cost is $109,935, including $61,362 for tuition, $1,630 for the university fee, $630 for the university tech fee, $30,812 for the living allowance, $3,984 for transportation, $150 for other expenses, $1,500 for clinical travel, $1,580 for campus graduation travel, $620 for books/supplies, $3,916 for health insurance, and $3,750 for loan fees.
Additional Fees
Beyond tuition, university fees, and program-specific costs, students may encounter additional expenses such as:
- Tuition Remission Administrative Fee: $1,250 per semester (mandatory for certain tuition programs).
- Student Health Insurance: Approximately $4,424 for a 12-month plan.
- Parking Permit Fee: Ranging from $218 to $655.
- Late Payment Fee: 2% of the outstanding balance, assessed monthly.
- Orientation Fee: $318.
- Arts and Sciences Lab Fee: $70 per lab course, capped at $140 per semester.
- Career Portfolio Fee: $340 for Heider College of Business students.
- Heider College of Business Technology Fee: $20 per course, capped at $60 per semester.
- Nursing Drug Screening Fee: Required for new nursing students.
- Accelerated Nursing Academic Program Fee: $1,500 per semester.
Undergraduate Tuition
- Full-time tuition rate: Applies to 12-18 credit hours per semester.
- Arts and Sciences: $48,700
- Heider College of Business: $48,700
- Nursing: $48,700
Housing and Meal Plans
Traditional Plans:
- All Access + $150 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: $3,235/semester, $6,470/full-year
- 14 Meals + $540 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: $3,235/semester, $6,470/full-year
- 10 Meals + $900 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: $3,235/semester, $6,470/full-year
- 7 Meals + $630 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: $2,220/semester, $4,440/full-year
Flex Plans:
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- Flex 85 + $405 Dining Dollars: $1,555/semester, $3,110/full-year
- Flex 65 + $360 Dining Dollars: $1,230/semester, $2,460/full-year
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Creighton University is committed to making education accessible. 99% of students receive financial aid. Financial aid options include merit scholarships, need-based grants, loans, and student employment opportunities. The university also provides guidance to help students plan for their financial future. Grants, which do not need to be repaid, are based on financial need and may be provided by the federal government, state, or the college itself. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements or financial need and may require annual reapplication. Student loans are available to help cover college costs but must be repaid with interest.
Net Price Calculator
Creighton University provides a Net Price Calculator to help prospective students estimate their individual cost of attendance. This tool considers factors such as income, assets, and family size to provide a more personalized estimate of what a student can expect to pay.
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