Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

MCPHS is an online school that also hosts students on campus in three locations in Massachusetts. For online students, all coursework — including lectures, assignments, and discussion — is completed remotely in small classes. Students at MCPHS are trained by the same faculty who instruct on-campus students, and they can earn the same sought-after degrees that they would if they studied in person. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly half (41%) of all MCPHS' graduate students study exclusively online. 

Students can tell that MCPHS is legitimate because of its accreditation status. This is the process by which a third-party agency inspects the college's curriculum, faculty, and overall mission to ensure it meets national quality standards. It's important to note that all schools featured on OnlineU are accredited. Specifically, MCPHS is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education to provide education for all degree levels, including distance learning programs. 

The history of MCPHS dates back to 1823 when it was founded by fourteen Boston-area pharmacists. Not only does this make it the second-oldest pharmacy college in the country, but it's also the oldest higher education institution in the city of Boston. 

As its name suggests, MCPHS is best known as a healthcare-focused institution. Its offerings cover the full spectrum of healthcare programs — from comprehensive health science degrees to specialized degrees in dental hygiene, nuclear medicine technology, physician assistant studies, and many more. In fact, one of the biggest draws for students to study at MCPHS is its wealth of specialized online options in the field of healthcare.

Data from College Scorecard show that the highest earning degrees from MCPHS come from the field of nursing. Graduates at the bachelor's level can expect to earn a median annual salary of approximately $71,500. MCPHS offers an RN to MSN Bridge Program — Family Nurse Practitioner, where students can use their associate experience to pursue a master's degree in nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is another high earning degree where students can expect a median annual salary of around $67,100.

OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score metric compares MCPHS' alumni salaries to those at different schools with the same degrees. From 1 to 100, MCPHS scores 64 and 63 at the bachelor's and master's levels, respectively. 

College Scorecard's federal data shows that MCPHS has a 91% acceptance rate. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, this is much higher than the 57% average of all medical schools. Since 91% of students who apply are admitted, first-year students have an easier time getting into MCPHS as long as they meet the school's admissions requirements. 

MCPHS accepts new students applying to college straight out of high school with no application fee. In order to be considered, students must have completed Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, and Social Science. GPA requirements vary depending on the program. For example, transfer students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher. 

• Fill out the MCPHS online application. Students may also apply through the MCPHS Common App page.  
• Submit high school transcripts, including first quarter grades from senior year. 
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher, preferably in math or science.

Students applying through the Common App are required to include a personal essay. College entrance exams are optional for all applicants.