South University Pharmacy School Boosts NAPLEX Pass Rate by 21.7 Points
Event summary
- South University School of Pharmacy achieved an 81% first-time NAPLEX pass rate for 2025 graduates, up 21.7 percentage points from the prior year.
- The school ranked #1 among three-year PharmD programs in the South Atlantic Region and #2 overall in Georgia.
- Of 58 students who took the exam on their first attempt, 47 passed.
- The improvement followed curriculum enhancements and expanded post-graduation support programs.
The big picture
South University's dramatic pass rate improvement reflects a broader push among pharmacy schools to align curricula with real-world practice demands. The school's accelerated three-year program positions it competitively in a market where licensing success directly impacts graduate employability and institutional reputation. This strategic shift comes as healthcare education faces increasing scrutiny over outcomes-based metrics.
What we're watching
- Sustainability of Gains
- Whether South University can maintain this pass rate trajectory amid increasing national standards.
- Curriculum Impact
- How the school's targeted curriculum enhancements affect long-term graduate success in pharmacy practice.
- Competitive Positioning
- The pace at which other three-year PharmD programs adopt similar support structures to close the performance gap.