Best Medical Schools in the US (Comprehensive Report – 2025)

You may be wondering which is the number one medical school in the US. Here is a comprehensive report of the best medical schools in the US.

Which University is the best to study medicine and surgery in the US? Read on to find out.

Best Medical Schools in the US

The following are the best medical schools in the US for medical studies and research:

1. Harvard University
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. New York University
4. University of California – San Francisco
5. Stanford University
6. University of Washington
7. University of Pennsylvania
8. Duke University
9. Columbia University
10. Yale University
11. University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA)
12. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
13. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
14. Washington University in St. Louis
15. Vanderbilt University
16. Cornell University (Weill)
17. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
18. University of Pittsburgh
19. Northwestern University (Feinberg)
20. University of Michigan

Read More: Harvard Admission Requirements (2025 Guide)

Harvard Medical School (HMS)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: ~3.5%
Highlights:

• Consistently ranked as the top medical school globally.
• Offers the Pathways curriculum, integrating foundational science with clinical experience from the first year.
• Extensive research opportunities, with access to renowned hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
• Strong emphasis on global health and public service.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Acceptance Rate: ~4%
Highlights:

• Pioneered modern medical education with its revolutionary curriculum.
• Known for specialties like neurosurgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics.
• Students gain hands-on experience at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the U.S.
• Focus on collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

Stanford University School of Medicine

Location: Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate: ~2.5%
Highlights:

• Located in Silicon Valley, offering unique opportunities at the intersection of medicine and technology.
• Flexible MD curriculum allows students to customize their learning experience.
• Strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation in medicine.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and research centers.

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine

Location: San Francisco, California
Acceptance Rate: ~3%
Highlights:

• Ranked #1 in primary care and consistently top-ranked in research.
• Focuses on health equity, diversity, and underserved communities.
• Partnerships with renowned hospitals like UCSF Medical Center.
• Offers a unique three-year MD program for students pursuing a career in primary care.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Location: Rochester, Minnesota (with additional campuses in Arizona and Florida)
Acceptance Rate: ~4%
Highlights:

• Emphasizes small class sizes for personalized education.
• Offers full-tuition scholarships to all students, reducing financial barriers.
• Integrated clinical experiences begin in the first year.
• Associated with the Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s leading medical centers.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Location: New York, New York
Acceptance Rate: ~3.5%
Highlights:

• First medical school in the U.S. to offer need-based scholarships replacing loans for all students.
• Strong emphasis on combining research and clinical practice.
• Located in New York City, providing diverse clinical experiences.
• Offers a unique program in narrative medicine.

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: ~3.6%
Highlights:

• Oldest medical school in the United States.
• Pioneering work in gene therapy and mRNA technology.
• Integrates basic science and clinical care with a strong research focus.
• Partnerships with top-ranked hospitals like the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Duke University School of Medicine

Location: Durham, North Carolina
Acceptance Rate: ~3.5%
Highlights:

• Accelerated three-year pre-clinical curriculum, with the fourth year dedicated to research.
• Strong emphasis on leadership in medicine and global health.
• Access to Duke University Hospital and its vast research facilities.
• Notable for its supportive learning environment.

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: ~4%
Highlights:

• Known for its focus on interdisciplinary education and collaboration.
• Small class sizes foster close relationships with faculty and peers.
• Strong community engagement programs.
• Research opportunities at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Yale School of Medicine

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Acceptance Rate: ~4%
Highlights:

• Known for its unique “Yale System” of medical education, emphasizing self-directed learning.
• Students are not graded in the first two years, fostering a non-competitive environment.
• Exceptional opportunities in biomedical research.
• Home to the Yale-New Haven Hospital, a leading teaching hospital.

Best Medical Schools in the US for Primary Care

Here are the best medical schools in the US for primary health care:

1. University of Washington
2. University of California–San Francisco
3. University of Minnesota
4. Oregon Health and Science University
5. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
6. University of Colorado
7. University of Nebraska Medical Center
8. University of California–Davis
9. Harvard University
10. University of Kansas Medical Center

Hardest medical schools to get into in the US

What are the hardest medical schools to get into? See the ranking below by US News.

1. Kaiser Permanente
2. Stanford University
3. Texas Christian University
4. New York University–Long Island
5. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
6. New York University (Grossman)
7. University of California–Riverside
8. University of California–Davis
9. University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen)
10. George Washington University
11. University of Arizona–Tucson
12. Dartmouth College (Geisel)
13. Georgetown University
14. Wake Forest University
15. Florida Atlantic University (Schmidt)
16. Brown University (Alpert)
17. University of California–San Francisco
18. Harvard University
19. Duke University
20. Emory University
21. Howard University
22. University of California–Irvine
23. University of California–San Diego
24. Oregon Health and Science University
25. Quinnipiac University
26. Wright State University (Boonshoft)
27. University of Chicago (Pritzker)
28. University of Miami (Miller)
29. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
30. West Virginia University
31. Cornell University (Weill)
32. Eastern Virginia Medical School
33. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
34. New York Medical College
35. Thomas Jefferson University (Kimmel)
36. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
37. University of Pittsburgh
38. Columbia University
39. University of Colorado
40. University of Washington

Best medical schools in the US for surgery

What are the best medical schools in the US for future medical professionals interested in performing operations?

There are general surgeons as well as those who specialize in areas such as neurological or pediatric surgery.

Here are the top medical schools for surgery.

1. Harvard University
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. Duke University
4. University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
5. University of California–San Francisco
6. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
7. Columbia University
8. Stanford University
9. Washington University in St. Louis
10. University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen)
11. University of Pittsburgh
12. Emory University
13. Baylor College of Medicine
14. Cornell University (Weill)
15. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
16. New York University (Grossman)
17. Northwestern University (Feinberg)
18. University of Pittsburgh
19. Emory University
20. University of Alabama–Birmingham

Best medical schools in the US for residency

Internal medicine is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in adults. Internists frequently specialize in a single field, such as endocrinology or cardiology.

1. Johns Hopkins University
2. Harvard University
3. University of California–San Francisco
4. University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
5. Duke University
6. Columbia University
7. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
8. Washington University in St. Louis
9. Stanford University
10. Vanderbilt University

What you will learn at a top U.S. medical school

1. Year One Work

In the first year of your medical studies, you will learn a lot. You will take courses that will help you build your medical career.

Medical students will concentrate on the fundamentals and Clinical Science courses during their first year. You will study Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, and other subjects.

2. Year Two Work

You will spend a significant amount of time in the second year reinforcing the first-year basic science courses. In addition to these, the following new and important courses will be added:

• a minimum of one practical course
• a clinical skills course
• a course in health policy or global health

3. Year Three Work

In the third year, the emphasis will be on clinical clerkships/rotations. You will also be a part of a medical team.

During the rotations, you will be exposed to all areas of medicine, including internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, radiology, and so on.

The third year is meant to help you decide what type of medicine you want to practice.

This year is known as the “Differentiation and Integration” year at some universities, such as the University of Columbia.

4. Year Four Work

This is the year you will begin your residency. You will be able to select the medical specialty in which you want to further your education, and this will become your area of expertise.

If you are unsure about your future medical specialization, you can speak with a faculty advisor who can assist you with your career planning.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Medical School

While rankings and prestige are important, prospective medical students should consider the following factors:

• Curriculum: Does the school’s approach to education align with your learning style?
• Location: Proximity to family, lifestyle preferences, and cost of living.
• Clinical Opportunities: Access to hospitals and diverse patient populations.
• Financial Aid: Scholarships, grants, and loan programs.
• Research Opportunities: Facilities and funding available for your areas of interest.

That is it for the best medical schools in the US. The institutions listed above represent the pinnacle of medical education in the U.S. Each offers unique strengths, whether in research, clinical training, or community engagement.

By aligning your personal goals and values with the offerings of these top programs, you can take the first step toward a fulfilling career in medicine.

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