School and Ranking Information
There are only a few not-for-profit schools offering pharmacy technician programs near Orlando, Florida. Technical Education Center - Osceola, Winter Park Tech and Westside Tech are all less than 20 miles away from Orlando. All three of these schools offer pharmacy technician certificate programs and have graduation rates above 50%, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
- Winner: Osceola Technical College takes first spot on this list due to its 69% graduation rate and 12 certificates awarded in pharmacy technician during 2020-2021, as reported by the NCES.
- Runner-Up #1: Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus is the 1st runner up with the NCES reporting a 73% graduation rate and 13 certificates awarded in pharmacy technology during 2020-2021.
- Runner-Up #2: Orange Technical College-Westside Campus is 2nd to Winter Park Tech with the NCES reporting a 65% graduation rate and 8 pharmacy technician certificates awarded during 2020-2021.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Osceola Technical College | Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus | Orange Technical College-Westside Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Kissimmee, FL (19.2 miles from Orlando) | Orlando, Florida | Winter Garden, FL (14.4 miles from Orlando) |
| School Type | 2-year, public | < 2-year, public | 2-year, public |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $4,230* | $4,994* | $3,446* |
| Pharmacy Technician Programs Offered | Certificate | Certificate | Certificate |
| Pharmacy Technician Certificates Awarded (all levels) in 2020-2021 | 12* | 13* | 15* |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2016 Entering Class | 69%* | 73%* | 65%* |
| Noteworthy | Technical Education Center Osceola is the sole adult technical center located in Osceola County ** | One of the leading schools for career and technical education in Central Florida*** | Westside Tech is a division of Orange County Public Schools**** |
Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **Osceola Technical College, ***Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus, ****Orange Technical College-Westside Campus
Winner: Osceola Technical College
- The NCES reports the student to teacher ratio was 12:1 in 2021
- Students may attend the pharmacy technician program full or part-time
- Must complete TABE test before entering pharmacy technician program
- School has an open admission policy
The pharmacy technician program at Osceola Technical College requires 1,050 hours of coursework and practicum experience. After completing the program, students are eligible to obtain national certification by passing an exam. The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is the only requirement to enter the program. There is a $25 fee to take this computer based test. Some areas of study in the pharmacy technician program include medical terminology, pharmacology and intravenous admixtures. The average entry level wage for program graduates in central Florida is $11.50, reported by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics.
Runner-Up #1: Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus
- The NCES reports the student to teacher ratio was 13:1 in 2021
- Pharmacy program holds an accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- The NCES reports this school has an open admission policy
The pharmacy technician program at Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus prepares students for employment in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry. This program is available at the Avalon campus of Winter Park Tech located in Orlando. To enter the program, students must take the TABE test. It is strongly recommended students hold a high school diploma or GED. During the program, students will study basic pharmacology, preparation of IV solutions and pharmaceutical abbreviations. The average annual salary for pharmacy technicians in Orlando ranges from $28,000 to $48,000. Upon completion of the 1,050 hour program, students may become certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or The Institute for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Runner-Up #2: Orange Technical College-Westside Campus
- The NCES reports Westside Tech has an open admission policy
- Westside Tech does not accept dual credit, credit for life, or AP credits
- The NCES reports the student to teacher ratio was 14:1 in 2021
Orange Technical College-Westside Campus offers a 1,050 hour pharmacy technician program. During this program, students receive training in pharmacology, processing prescriptions and compounding. Once students have completed this program, it is highly recommended they seek National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To gain employment in Florida, all aspiring pharmacy technicians must register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy Registration.
