School of Pharmacy Graduation Outcome Measures

LECOM On-Time Graduation Rates, Pharmacy Residency Rates, NAPLEX® and MPJE® Pass Rates

Policy regarding methods used to collect and review information on student outcomes and licensure pass rates: Data regarding student pass rates on licensure exams is collected annually from national licensing bodies and is posted to LECOM’s website. This information is collected and reviewed by the Dean of each respective program and the Provost of the institution. Once the data has been reviewed and confirmed, it is approved by the Office of Communications and Marketing for use on the LECOM.edu website, as well as in recruitment materials.

As part of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) policies and procedures (8.4 Policy on Program Disclosure of Specific Information), any ACPE-accredited program is required to post on its website the following information:

  • The on-time graduation rate for the most recent graduating class in the single degree pathway, i.e., the percentage of a class cohort completing the curriculum in the specified timeframe (3 calendar or 4 academic years);
  • The most recent year’s North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX®)results for first-time takers as found on the NAPB Website; and
  • A measure of student achievement for the most recent graduating class as determined by the institution or pharmacy program.

The LECOM School of Pharmacy (SOP) monitors outcomes of its graduates using the on-time graduation rate, the percentage of graduates entering residency programs and the pass rate for the NAPLEX® and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE®).

On-Time Graduation and Degree Completion

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy (SOP) has a three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in Erie, Pa. a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in Bradenton, Fla and a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy program offered through the Distance Education Pathway. The first class of the Distance Education Pathway will graduate in 2018. On-time graduation and degree completion are reported with the exclusion of those who chose to withdraw from the program. According to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website, the 5-year national average for on-time graduation is 89%.

LECOM SOP On-Time Graduation and Degree Completion Rates
2020 2021 2022 2023
On-Time Graduation 90.3% 91.3% 88.8% 94.3%
Degree Completion 94.4% 93.7% 91.3% 93.8%

Residency Placement Rates

After degree completion, Doctor of Pharmacy graduates have the option of entering pharmacy practice immediately or pursuing further clinical training through pharmacy residency programs. According to statistics from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 4232 members of the 2023 graduating class matched into a pharmacy residency program. This corresponds to approximately 34% pharmacy graduates in the US that will be entering residency programs in 2023.

Over the last five years, the average residency placement rate of the LECOM School of Pharmacy graduates was 12%, with the 2023 residency matching rate*) being 55%.

*Matching rate refers to the percentage of the matched residency applicants. 

Licensure Examination Pass Rates

The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination®(NAPLEX®) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®) are developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to be used by state boards of pharmacy as part of their criteria for granting a license to practice as a pharmacist. The NAPLEX® measures knowledge, judgment, and skills needed for entry-level pharmacists. The MPJE® tests the understanding of state and federal laws and rules that regulate the practice of pharmacy.

In 2021 the NAPLEX® competency statements were revised to reflect ongoing changes in the practice of pharmacy.  The first-time pass rate across the nation decreased with this change. The LECOM School of Pharmacy is taking the lead to achieve our goal of 100% first time pass rate on the pharmacy board exams (NAPLEX® and MPJE®) by implementing the following initiatives:

  • Year-long board review course that includes videos, book, and practice tests
  • On-campus intensive board review sessions
  • Study guidance individualized to student needs
  • Coaching and motivation from faculty advisors
  • Curriculum alignment with board exam style and content
LECOM SOP NAPLEX® Pass Rate
2020 2021 2022 2023
First Attempt LECOM Graduates 81.6% 74.0% 66.3% 67.2%
First Attempt National Average 86.3% 81.8% 77.7% 78.6%
LECOM SOP MPJE® Pass Rate
2020 2021 2022 2023
First Attempt LECOM Graduates* 78.2% 73.2% 72.7% 68.8%
First Attempt National Average 80.9% 77.2% 73.7% 72.2%

*Reflect the aggregated pass rates of the graduates for all states.