Best Medical Schools in the US: When it comes to education and career opportunities, medical studies are among the most popular fields of study in the US. With over 15,000 medical schools operating globally, aspiring healthcare professionals have plenty of options when it comes to furthering their education and training to become a licensed physician.
If you’re interested in becoming a doctor or scientist who specializes in medicine and biomedical research, you’ll have several different educational paths from which to choose.
From generalist doctorate degrees like the PhD and MD to more specific master’s degree programs like the MS in Biology, there are plenty of opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare science. Read on for more information about the best medical schools in the US today.
If you’re interested in a career as a doctor or other medical professional, you will want to think about attending medical school.
Medical school is an intensive program that lasts several years and requires students to complete lots of science courses and clinical hours while staying on top of a rigorous schedule. For prospective medical students, choosing the right medical school can be difficult.
There are many different types of programs, ranging from private universities to regional campuses that offer online classes. Prospective students need to think about their long term goals and what type of medical school best fits their needs.
Here are 20 of the best medical schools in the US ranked by recognition in peer publications, acceptance rate, cost, career services and more:
1. University of California – San Francisco
The University of California-San Francisco’s School of Medicine is highly selective and attracts students from across the country and around the world. The school has a strong focus on research and has produced many notable faculty members and alumni.
Students can choose from a variety of fields and specialties and can complete a research project. San Francisco is a great city for aspiring doctors. Students can also complete their clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in other parts of California, as well as in Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The UCSF School of Medicine is located on the UCSF campus in the heart of San Francisco. Students will be part of a vibrant and collaborative community. The school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
2. Harvard Medical School
The Harvard Medical School is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the country. It is associated with Harvard University, which is also one of the most prestigious universities. Harvard has produced many Nobel Laureates in Medicine and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Harvard is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life. Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni.
The Harvard Medical School is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
3. Stanford University School of Medicine
The Stanford University School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Stanford has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Stanford is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life.
Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni. The Stanford Medical School is located in Palo Alto, California. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
4. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Columbia has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Columbia is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life. Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni.
The Columbia University Medical Center is located in New York City. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Mayo has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Mayo is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life.
Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni. The Mayo Clinic is located in Rochester, Minnesota. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
6. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students.
Johns Hopkins has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields. They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective.
Johns Hopkins is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life. Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni.
The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital are located in Baltimore, Maryland. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
7. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
The Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Washington has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Washington is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life. Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni.
The Washington University School of Medicine is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
8. Emory University school of medicine
The Emory University school of medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students.
Emory has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields. They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Emory is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life.
Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni. The Emory University and Emory Healthcare are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
9. Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine
The Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Hofstra has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Hofstra is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life. Students have the opportunity to conduct original research, travel as part of an elective and have access to prominent alumni.
The Hofstra University and Northwell Health are located in Hempstead, New York. Students will be part of a large, diverse and collaborative community. This school has a variety of resources and services to support students’ academic and personal needs.
10. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is one of the best medical schools in the country. It is selective, but has a reputation for being very welcoming to a diverse group of students. Michigan has produced many Nobel laureates and a large number of influential people in many fields.
They also have a high acceptance rate and are very selective. Michigan is not cheap and has a high tuition, but graduates report high starting salaries, excellent job placement and a high quality of life.
11. Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private research university located in the nation’s capital. The university was founded in 1789 and is the oldest Jesuit university in the US. Georgetown is well known for its high entry standards and rigorous academic program.
Georgetown’s School of Medicine is one of the most selective medical schools in the country. The acceptance rate for the most recent class was just 13%.
Students at Georgetown can choose between two different MD degree programs: the traditional program, which takes 8 years to complete, or an accelerated program, which takes 5 years. The accelerated program includes summers off and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
All students at Georgetown complete a core curriculum that includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. Georgetown also has one of the most extensive research programs of any medical school in the country.
12. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is a highly competitive private research institution located on the East Coast. Mount Sinai was established in 1901 as a teaching hospital and has since grown into a leading research institution.
The school’s MD program has a very selective admissions process and accepts less than 15% of applicants. Mount Sinai offers a 1-year accelerated program for students with undergraduate degrees in science or engineering. Students in the accelerated program complete their medical school coursework in 2 years and can earn their MD degree in 3 years overall.
The school also offers a traditional program that takes 4 years to complete. Mount Sinai’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique curriculum that focuses on the interdisciplinary study of health and society. Mount Sinai is a highly research-focused institution, so all students are required to complete a research project as part of their medical degree.
13. University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine is a private research institution with a long history. The school’s MD program is highly selective and attracts students from around the world. Penn’s medical school has one of the highest acceptance rates in the country, accepting just 11% of applicants.
One of the unique aspects of the Penn’s MD program is that all students complete their clinical training at their home campus. Students at Penn complete their first 2 years of coursework in Philadelphia and then move to their home campus for the final 2 years of the program.
Penn offers both a traditional and accelerated MD program. The accelerated program is an intense 5-year course of study. The traditional program takes 7 years to complete. Penn’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences and students complete a clinical project as part of the program.
14. Cornell University
Cornell University is a private research institution located in upstate New York. The university was established in 1865 and has become a leading institution in a wide range of fields. Cornell’s MD program is very competitive and accepts just 12% of applicants.
The school has a decentralized MD program, meaning that students can complete the course of study off-campus, in their own communities. Cornell’s program offers a 1-year accelerated program for students with a bachelor’s degree in any field. The accelerated option allows students to complete their coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall.
The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Cornell’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society. Cornell is a highly research-focused institution and all students are required to complete a research project as part of their medical degree.
15. Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school was established in 1891 as a teachers’ college and has since grown into a leading research institution.
Case Western’s medical school offers an MD program with a very selective admissions process. The school accepts just 11% of applicants. The medical program is decentralized and students can complete the course of study at one of three campus locations. The school has a 1-year accelerated program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
The accelerated program allows students to complete the coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall. The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Case Western’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society.
16. Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University
The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University is a private research institution located in Chicago. The university was established in 1851 and has become one of the leading research institutions in the world.
Northwestern’s medical school has a very selective admissions process and accepts just 11% of applicants. Northwestern offers a 1-year accelerated program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field. The accelerated program allows students to complete their coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall.
The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Northwestern’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society. Northwestern is a highly research-focused institution and all students are required to complete a research project as part of their medical degree.
17. Duke University School of Medicine
Duke University is a private research university located in North Carolina. The university was established in 1838 as a Baptist school, and has since grown into a leading research institution.
The medical school at Duke is highly selective and accepts just 11% of applicants. Duke has a decentralized MD program, meaning that students can complete the course of study off-campus, in their own communities.
The school offers a 1-year accelerated program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field. The accelerated program allows students to complete their coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall.
The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Duke’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society.
18. Yale School of Medicine
Yale University is a private research institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The university was established in 1847 and has become a leading research institution. Yale’s medical school has a very selective admissions process and accepts just 10% of applicants.
The school has a decentralized MD program, meaning that students can complete the course of study off-campus, in their own communities. The school offers a 1-year accelerated program for students with a bachelor’s degree in any field.
The accelerated program allows students to complete their coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall. The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Yale’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society.
19. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research institution located in Missouri. The university was established in 1853 and has become a leading research institution in a wide range of fields. Washington’s medical school has a very selective admissions process and accepts just 10% of applicants.
The school has a decentralized MD program, meaning that students can complete the course of study off-campus, in their own communities. The school offers a 1-year accelerated program for students with a bachelor’s degree in any field.
The accelerated program allows students to complete their coursework in 2 years and earn their MD degree in 3 years overall. The traditional program takes 4 years to complete. Washington’s curriculum includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. The school also offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on health and society.
20. Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Medicine
The Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the US. It is a public, not-for-profit institution located in Temple, Texas. The school has been among the top medical schools in the country since the 1970s.
The Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Medicine has a strong reputation for research and innovation. It is particularly well known for its medical fields and programs in the areas of biotechnology, cancer, and neurosciences. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a variety of fields while also completing their rigorous curriculum.
Conclusion
Choosing the right medical school can be a challenging process. There are many factors that students need to consider, from the type of program to the location of the school. Medical school is a long and intensive program that requires a lot of work, but it can be very rewarding if you choose the right program and work hard.
If you’re interested in a career as a doctor or other medical professional, you will want to think about attending medical school. Medical school is an intensive program that lasts several years and requires students to complete lots of science courses and clinical hours while staying on top of a rigorous schedule.
For prospective medical students, choosing the right medical school can be difficult. There are many different types of programs, ranging from private universities to regional campuses that offer online classes.
Prospective students need to think about their long term goals and what type of medical school best fits their needs. Here are 15 of the best medical schools in the US ranked by recognition in peer publications, acceptance rate, cost, career services and more