Looking at Penn Foster for pharmacy tech? Compare first.
Penn Foster is a well-known online school. If you're mainly after PTCB certification, Foothills gets you to the same exam for about half the total cost, and you're taught by a licensed pharmacist with 33 years in the field.
Side by side
Prices from each program's own site, October 2026.
| Foothills | Penn Foster | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $180 | $1,049 paid in full (sale), or $1,249 at $59/mo |
| Books | About $232 for two digital textbooks | Included |
| PTCE exam fee | About $129, paid to PTCB when you're ready | Included |
| Total to certified | About $541 | $1,049 to $1,249 |
| Who teaches you | A licensed pharmacist with 33 years in the field | Student support team |
| PTCB | PTCB-recognized program | Prepares you for the PTCE |
| Format | 100% online, self-paced | 100% online, self-paced |
| Typical length | About 4 months | About 4 months |
| Pay up front | $180 today, the rest as you go | Full price, or a monthly plan |
Source: Penn Foster Pharmacy Technician tuition page, checked October 2026. Prices change, so check their site for the latest.
Same exam. About $500 less.
Either way, the goal is the same: pass the PTCE and become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Employers care about the certification, not which school sold you the course.
With Foothills you pay $180 to start. You buy the books when you begin and pay PTCB for the exam only when you're ready. No contracts, no monthly bills.
When Penn Foster might fit better
We'd rather you pick the right program. Penn Foster could be a better fit if you want everything bundled into one monthly payment, or if you want their career services. If you want a pharmacist teaching you and the lowest total cost to get certified, Foothills is built for that.