If you want to be a doctor or continue your career on medicine, being accepted by one of the best medical schools in the US is a necessary way to achieve your dream. Medical school rankings can be an important reference for you to choose good medical schools. Recently, US News medical school rankings were released, and the top 1 medical school in the US is Baylor College of Medicine. This blog will list the top medical schools in the US according to US News. Please read on and get some helpful information.
US News medical school rankings
Doctors are one of the greatest professions in the world, and the medical subject in the United States is first-class worldwide. As a result, tens of thousands of people study medicine in the United States every year. To help you better choose top ranked medical schools that’s right for you, US News ranked American medical schools in both research and primary care.
2024 Best Medical Schools: Research
| Rank | Medical Schools | Acceptance Rates | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine | 6% | Houston, Texas |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University | 6.40% | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 3 | Emory University | 3.20% | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 4 | Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker) | 7.90% | Hempstead, New York |
| 5 | Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix) | 3.90% | Rochester, Minnesota |
| 6 | Northwestern University (Feinberg) | 4.70% | Chicago, Illinois |
| 7 | Ohio State University | 5.30% | Columbus, Ohio |
| 8 | University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen) | 2.80% | Los Angeles, California |
| 9 | University of California–San Diego | 3.20% | La Jolla, California |
| 10 | University of California–San Francisco | 3.20% | San Francisco, California |
2024 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
| Rank | Medical Schools | Acceptance Rates | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina University (Brody) | 15.5% | Greenville, North Carolina |
| 2 | Saint Louis University | 7.3% | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | 6.4% | Lubbock, Texas |
| 4 | University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth | 18.2% | Fort Worth, Texas |
| 5 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 17% | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| 6 | University of California–Davis | 3.3% | Sacramento, California |
| 7 | University of California–San Francisco | 3.2% | San Francisco, California |
| 8 | University of Hawaii–Manoa (Burns) | 4.4% | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| 9 | University of Kansas Medical Center | 8.6% | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 10 | University of Maryland | 5.1% | Baltimore, Maryland |
Best medical schools in the US: for research
1. Baylor College of Medicine
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Tuition & Fees: $19,425
- Enrollment: 773
Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is a private medical school located in Houston, Texas. In 1969, it separated from Baylor University and became an independent college. The College consists of four schools: the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Health Professions, and the National School of Tropical Medicine. BCM’s medical research is top of the United States and even the world, and is recognized as one of the best medical schools. Many famous medical experts have graduated or worked here.
2. Case Western Reserve University
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Acceptance Rate: 6.4%
- Tuition & Fees: $69,712
- Enrollment: 940
Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a private research university in the US and an early member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Case Western Reserve University has 17 Nobel Prize winners, and the first native Nobel Prize winner in the history of the United States also came from this university (1907 Physics Prize).
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU SOM, CaseMed) is a college in this university, and also the largest biomedical research center in Ohio. US News ranked it as tier 1 in US best medical school in 2024, for its strong research ability and excellent professors and students.
3. Emory University
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
- Tuition & Fees: $54,000
- Enrollment: 605
Emory University, founded in 1836, is a private research school in Atlanta, Georgia. Fun fact, Emory University once helped Atlanta government hold Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, and the school also owns a national natural reserve. Recently, Emory becomes more famous. Forbes ranked it as one of the ten private new Ivy League schools in 2024.
School of Medicine is an outstanding school, and many students come to Emory for this school. Emory School of Medicine is a component of Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Health Science Center, and was merged by Atlanta Medical College (founded 1854), the Southern Medical College (1878), and the Atlanta School of Medicine (founded 1905) in 1915.
4. Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker)
- Location: Hempstead, New York
- Acceptance Rate: 7.9%
- Tuition & Fees: $56,250
- Enrollment: 397
Zucker School of Medicine is the medicine school of Hofstra University, and then changed its name as Northwell Health in 2015. Zucker doesn’t have a long history. It was founded in 2008, and receives only about 100 students each year. However, it offers brilliant research conditions and academic atmosphere. All researches in this health center are conducted by its faculties and students.
5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
- Location: Rochester, Minnesota
- Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
- Tuition & Fees: $64,000
- Enrollment: 431
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM), formerly known as Mayo Medical School (MMS), is a research-oriented medical school located in Rochester, Minnesota. MCASOM is a school within the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS). Many rankings listed MCASOM as one of the most popular and best medical schools in the US. In 2017, students in MCASOM had the highest USMLE Step 1 board scores in the US with a median of 245, which is even tied with Harvard University.
6. Northwestern University (Feinberg)
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Acceptance Rate: 4.7%
- Tuition & Fees: $69,850
- Enrollment: 601
Northwestern University is a private research university in the US. Established in 1851, it is the oldest chartered school in Illinois. Although its main campus is in Evanston, Illinois, its Feinberg School of Medicine is in Chicago, Illinois. This medical school provides a full-time Doctor of Medicine degree program, multiple dual degree programs, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education. As a part of McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Feinberg is always regarded as one of the most prestigious medical schools in the US.
7. Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Acceptance Rate: 5.3%
- Tuition & Fees: $30,124 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 815
Set up in 1870, Ohio State University is a public research-oriented university. It is also one of the top public universities in the Great Lakes region of the United States, known as one of the “public Ivy”. It is said that Ohio State University is the largest university in the USA, and it covers almost all subjects. Among these subjects, business, physics, medicine, engineering, etc. are all top ranked.
As for its medical school, it is recognized as the top medical institute both in education and research. Its two primary teaching hospitals, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, were ranked as one of best US hospitals in about 10 different specialties. Therefore, Ohio State University College of Medicine is regarded as one of the best medical schools in the USA.
8. University of California--Los Angeles (Geffen)
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Acceptance Rate: 2.8%
- Tuition & Fees: $42,568 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 726
University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) is a top public research university, and the third school in University of California system. For its location and reputation, UCLA is the American university with the most applications. Many platforms regard UCLA as the best US public university. Its medical school–David Geffen School of Medicine is an accredited medical school at Los Angeles. It is named after David Geffen, who donated $200 million in unrestricted funds.
9. Univerisity of California--San Diego
- Location: La Jolla, California
- Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
- Tuition & Fees: $40,881 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 571
University of California–San Diego is another university of UC system, and also the southernmost of the ten campuses of University of California. It is also regarded as one of the public Ivy League. Being closely affiliated with several research centers, such as Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine is considered one of the top medical schools in America.
10. University of California--San Francisco
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
- Tuition & Fees: $39,447 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 686
As another school included by UC system, University of California–San Francisco is totally dedicated to health and life science, and primarily conducts researches and teaching in medical and biological sciences. Its medical school–UCSF School of Medicine is also the oldest medical school in California and western United States. Therefore, it has become a dream school for many students who want to pursue their medical careers.
Best medical schools in the US: for primary care
1. East Carolina University (Brody)
- Location: Greenville, North Carolina
- Acceptance Rate: 15.5%
- Tuition & Fees: $22,252 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 341
East Carolina University is a public school in East Carolina state, and also the only university possessing schools of medicine, dentistry, and engineering. Initially, East Carolina University is a teacher training school. But now, it becomes a prestigious university focusing on health and life sciences. Its Brody School of Medicine plays a leading role in family medicine, ranking No.1 in Carolina and No.2 in the whole country in the percentage of graduates choosing careers in family medicine. US News also reported this medical school as the “top medical school” in primary care, rural medicine, and family medicine.
2. Saint Louis University
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Acceptance Rate: 7.3%
- Tuition & Fees: $65,000
- Enrollment: 718
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university in the west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Its School of Medicine is part of Saint Louis University and was founded in 1836. Since 1994, its Medical School students and physicians have provided free primary health care services through its Health Resource Center.
3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Location: Lubbock, Texas
- Acceptance Rate: 6.4%
- Tuition & Fees: $17,700 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 716
Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) is a public medical school located in Lubbock, Texas, serving more than 100 counties in West Texas. This health center is a separate institution from Texas Tech University and also a part of the Texas Tech University system. Texas Tech University El Paso Health Science Center was established in 1969 as a branch of TTUHSC and became an independent institution in 2013.
4. University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Acceptance Rate: 18.2%
- Tuition & Fees: $13,078 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 939
Established in 1970, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is a distinguished graduate academic institution dedicated to education, research, primary patient care and service. It is part of University of North Texas system and was formerly known as the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Health Sciences Center is home to multiple NIH-funded research programs and currently leads all Texas medical and Health sciences centers in research growth.
5. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Tuition & Fees: $33,010 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 708
University of Arkansas for Medial Sciences is an integral part of the University of Arkansas education system and is also a university operated by the state government of Arkansas. In 1889, led by P.O. Hooper of Little Rock, eight physicists donated $625 each to establish a medical school on the basis of Arkansas Technical University, which is today the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. UAMS was the first medical center in Arkansas and one of the first medical centers in the United States to implement a star rating system for UAMS physicians.
6. University of California--Davis
- Location: Sacramento, California
- Acceptance Rate: 3.3%
- Tuition & Fees: $42,332 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 552
University of California–Davis is the northernmost of the ten campuses of the University of California system. Originally as a major agricultural campus, the university has expanded over the past century to include graduate and professional programs in medicine, law, education, and business administration. The University of California, Davis Medical Center was named one of the best medical schools in the United States by US News. UC Davis School of Medicine operates a clinic network that provides outpatient medical care to UC Davis-operated HMO members.
7. University of California--San Francisco
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
- Tuition & Fees: $39,447 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 686
As another school included by UC system, University of California–San Francisco is totally dedicated to health and life science, and primarily conducts researches and teaching in medical and biological sciences. Its medical school–UCSF School of Medicine is also the oldest medical school in California and western United States. US News ranked it as the top ranked medical schools US for research, and also the top 10 for primary care. Therefore, it has become a dream school for many students who want to pursue their medical careers.
8. University of Hawaii--Manoa (Burns)
- Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Acceptance Rate: 4.4%
- Tuition & Fees: $36,672 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 325
Founded in 1907, University of Hawaii is a public university system located in the state of Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Manoa is the flagship school of the University of Hawaii system, with the largest and most advanced teaching facilities. The John A. Burns School of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The School of Medicine was named in 1965 after John A. Burns, the former governor of Hawaii.
9. University of Kansas Medical Center
- Location: Kansas City, Kansas
- Acceptance Rate: 8.6%
- Tuition & Fees: $39,785 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 847
University of Kansas Medical Center was founded in 1905 and merged with several Kansas City hospitals over the next decade. In 1947, the campus was renamed University of Kansas Medical Center, as a medical campus of the University of Kansas. KU Med owns the university’s School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Health Professions, with the Junior Health Sciences campus located in Kansas City, Kansas. Other campuses are located in Wichita and Salina, Kansas, and are connected to the University of Kansas Health System. It became a designated institution of the National Cancer Institute in 2012 and a designated “Comprehensive Cancer Center” in 2022.
10. University of Maryland
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Acceptance Rate: 5.1%
- Tuition & Fees: $38,573 (in-state)
- Enrollment: 590
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) is the medical school of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, part of the University of Maryland Medical Center and Health System. Founded in 1807, it was the first public medical school in the United States. It is also the fifth oldest medical school, just after Columbia University (1807), Dartmouth College (1798), Harvard University (1782), and the University of Pennsylvania (1765). The Davidge Hall is in UMB SOM’s campus, which was built in 1812. It is the oldest building continuously used for medical education in the Northern Hemisphere.
Methodology US News use to rank US medical schools
US News is dedicated to providing people with authoritative and complete rankings. In order to produce best medical school rankings, US News investigated 196 medical and osteopathic schools during the winter of 2023-24. All these data are submitted and corrected by these schools themselves. In June 2024, these schools provided a second look at some key data and corrections via US News outreach. Here are the evaluative factors and their weights.
Indicators used in best medical schools: research
- Total federal research activity (20%, previously 15%)
- Total federal research activity per faculty member (10%, previously 7.5%)
- Total NIH research grants at the medical school and its affiliated hospitals (20%, previously 15%)
- Average NIH research grants per faculty (10%, previously 7.5%)
- Median Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, score (13%, previously 10%)
- Median undergraduate GPA (5%, previously 4%)
- Acceptance rate (2%, previously 1%)
- Faculty resources (20%, previously 15%)
Indicators used in best medical schools: primary care
- Medical school graduates practicing in primary care specialties (45%, previously 40%)
- Medical school graduates entering primary care residencies (15%, previously 10%)
- Median Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, score (20%, previously 10%)
- Median undergraduate GPA (8%, previously 4%)
- Acceptance rate (2%, previously 1%)
- Faculty resources (10%, unchanged)
How to get into top medical schools in the US
After deciding to become a doctor in the future, getting into top medical schools in the US is your necessary choice. The competition for admission to medical schools is fierce. It is never too early to get informed relative details. In doing so, you can make full preparation for the application. Here are several key factors to consider when you apply to top medical schools in the US.
- Choose a specific medical field that you are interested in.
- Investigate medical schools’ requirements that you choose.
- Prepare for MCAT and GPA early.
- Write a personal resume that can make you stand out.
- Prepare for your admission interviews.
- Participate in more extracurricular activities if required.
- Get some relative work experience in advance.
- Conduct some medical research if possible.
Tips on strengthening your application
Finally, it’s time to prepare your application. As we all know, it is difficult to be accepted by top medical schools in the US. Hence, how to make yourself outstanding among all these applications? The following tips focus on how to strengthen your application.
- Highlight your medical academic and work experience. Most top medical schools in USA all attach importance to your relative experience. If you have rich research and work experience, the medical school you apply to will be impressed by you.
- Improve your GPA, MCAT or other scores. If you can present a brilliant school report, the school will recognize your ability to learn.
- Get authoritative letters of recommendation. The more authoritative letters of recommendation you can get, the more likely you are to be accepted.
- Demonstrate your passion. In your application, especially in your personal resume and interview, please demonstrate your passion for medicine.
- Keep an eyes on the school’s website. This is the last but not the least tip for you. Please know more details about application requirements and deadlines.
Final thoughts on medical school rankings: how to choose
Being a doctor is a choice for many people, so medical school admissions are highly competitive. This article lists the US News medical school rankings, hoping to provide a reference. According to US News, for research, Baylor College of Medicine is the top 1 best medical schools in the US. While for primary care, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is top 1. In addition, other medical schools are also excellent. Although the rankings provided in this article can be a guide, when choosing a medical school, you should also consider factors such as personal interests, specialization and location to find the learning environment that is most suitable for you.
FAQ
For research:
| Rank | Medical Schools |
|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University |
| 3 | Emory University |
| 4 | Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker) |
| 5 | Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix) |
| 6 | Northwestern University (Feinberg) |
| 7 | Ohio State University |
| 8 | University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen) |
| 9 | University of California–San Diego |
| 10 | University of California–San Francisco |
For primary care:
| Rank | Medical Schools |
|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina University (Brody) |
| 2 | Saint Louis University |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center |
| 4 | University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth |
| 5 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
| 6 | University of California–Davis |
| 7 | University of California–San Francisco |
| 8 | University of Hawaii–Manoa (Burns) |
| 9 | University of Kansas Medical Center |
| 10 | University of Maryland |
For research:
| Rank | Medical Schools | Acceptance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine | 6% |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University | 6.40% |
| 3 | Emory University | 3.20% |
| 4 | Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker) | 7.90% |
| 5 | Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix) | 3.90% |
| 6 | Northwestern University (Feinberg) | 4.70% |
| 7 | Ohio State University | 5.30% |
| 8 | University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen) | 2.80% |
| 9 | University of California–San Diego | 3.20% |
| 10 | University of California–San Francisco | 3.20% |
For primary care:
| Rank | Medical Schools | Acceptance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina University (Brody) | 15.5% |
| 2 | Saint Louis University | 7.3% |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | 6.4% |
| 4 | University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth | 18.2% |
| 5 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 17% |
| 6 | University of California–Davis | 3.3% |
| 7 | University of California–San Francisco | 3.2% |
| 8 | University of Hawaii–Manoa (Burns) | 4.4% |
| 9 | University of Kansas Medical Center | 8.6% |
| 10 | University of Maryland | 5.1% |
An ideal MCAT score is 512 or higher, with a score of at least 127 in all sections. To be safe, we recommend that you should reach the 75th percentile of the schools you most want to apply to.
The recent data shows that the average GPA for medical school in the United States in were as follows:
- Overall GPA: 3.77
- Non Science GPA: 3.85
Currently, there are 155 accredited MD-granting schools and 37 accredited DO-granting schools in the United States, totalling 192 medical schools. This number continues to grow as new schools are established and existing schools expand their programs.
It does matter what med school you get into. If you can get into good medical schools, you will receive quality education, strong research ability, strong academic atmosphere, and famous alumni. If you can make full use of these resources, your career in medicine will be successful.
