The Effect of Socioeconomic Disadvantage on On-Time Graduation in 3 PharmD Programs

To determine whether there is a relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and student progression in 3 PharmD programs.

On-time graduation for 6 classes of PharmD students was compared based on the economic or environmental disadvantage questions posed by the Pharmacy College Application Service. Demographic characteristics, including sex, race/ethnicity, and geographical area, were also analyzed. A Pearson χ² test was used to compare these variables with on-time graduation.

Students whose families met the criteria for economic disadvantage had lower on-time graduation rates compared with students who did not. Male students had lower on-time graduation rates than female students. Race/ethnicity also adversely affected progression, with Black/African American students displaying the lowest on-time graduation.

Multiple socioeconomic factors and demographic characteristics hindered progression at 3 schools of pharmacy, although the precise reasons for lower on-time graduation remain unclear.