Pharmacy School Affordability for Pharmacy Technicians From 2004 to 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the trends in pharmacy technician wages relative to pharmacy school tuition and fees for the first professional year (P1) from 2004 to 2022, and to assess the affordability of pharmacy education for those currently employed as technicians in a pharmacy. This observational cross-sectional study used data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate median disposable incomes for pharmacy technicians and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Tuition Trends Database to calculate cumulative sums of P1 in-state tuition and mandatory fees for pharmacy students. The primary outcome was the national change in the tuition affordability ratio, defined as the comparison of median disposable income with median total tuition and fees for P1. Changes in the tuition affordability ratio for the most affordable programs in each state were analyzed as a secondary outcome. The study found that from 2004 to 2022, the median disposable income of pharmacy technicians nationally increased from $20,103 to $33,255, while median P1 tuition and fees rose from $13,223 to $36,183. The median tuition affordability ratio decreased from 1.52 in the 2004–2005 academic year to 0.92 in 2022–2023, indicating a 40% reduction in affordability. State-specific analysis revealed varying affordability ratios, with only Pennsylvania and Rhode Island showing an increase in affordability. The study highlights a significant decline in the affordability of pharmacy education, raising concerns about the economic barriers faced by prospective pharmacy students and calling for a reevaluation of financial strategies within the field.