A good education can take you far in life, and when it comes to medical education, the best colleges in the USA are the ones that give you the training and experience you need to go on to become one of the top doctors or surgeons in your field.
However, not all medical schools are created equal. We put together this list of the best universities in the USA for medical education in 2022 based on input from expert advisors, current students, and alumni as well as our internal ranking system.
Stanford University
Top-notch faculty, facilities, and research opportunities will make Stanford University a leading contender among the best universities in the USA for medical education.
As medical schools look to partner with industry, Stanford is a great option because of its affiliation with Silicon Valley biotech firms.
Look to a future career not only as an MD but also as a Ph.D. candidate studying biomedicine or even basic sciences at Stanford’s top-rated academic programs.
Prospective students should note that acceptance rates here are notoriously low, so be sure to apply early and follow all instructions carefully.
Early commitment is encouraged; interested applicants should contact admissions directly to learn more about scholarship opportunities, application requirements, and next steps.
Harvard University
Harvard’s medical school is famous around the world and has historically produced some of America’s best doctors.
By applying to Harvard, you get a lot of name recognition that comes with a top-notch education. Most people who get into Harvard are generally high achievers who are looking for an extra challenge and go on to become great physicians.
If you’re interested in becoming a doctor and attending Harvard, make sure to check out their course offerings online.
The reputation alone might be enough for many students to enroll, but if not, there are plenty of interesting classes available across many disciplines at one of America’s most prestigious universities.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF’s medical education program is a leader in training future physicians who will practice in underserved areas.
Along with that, UCSF is already known to produce some of the top doctors and surgeons in the USA. UCSF’s Faculty Development and Diversity Program work hard to make sure that women and minority students are equally represented.
In addition, they hold special programs like increasing awareness of careers in medicine among high school students, among others.
The efforts put by UCSF help ensure their reputation as one of the best universities for medical education will be retained in years to come.
Johns Hopkins University
If you want to work directly with patients and go into a clinical field, Johns Hopkins University is among the best universities for medical education.
Although JHU lacks an undergraduate business program, it’s still a top university for those who want to gain hands-on experience working directly with patients.
With just 8% of applicants accepted per year, JHU admits students from around 170 countries and offers financial aid to almost half of its students.
Additionally, its nursing program is ranked as one of America’s best programs by U.S. News & World Report and has won several awards including the AACN Distinguished Nursing Education Program Award and School Health Award of Excellence by Health Care Forum.
Yale University
The new Yale University School of Medicine was built in 2016, and its research on regenerative medicine is impressive.
The school already has ties to some big pharmaceutical companies like Merck, Novartis, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, meaning that its alumni have a leg up when it comes to landing jobs there as well.
Students rave about how much attention they get from faculty members; there’s a big focus on critical thinking rather than memorization.
The campus is gorgeous (if you go for Yale—which you should) and it’s located in one of America’s most well-known cities.
If you choose Yale as your medical school, you will be prepared to work hard but will also be able to enjoy yourself while doing so.
Columbia University
Located in New York City, Columbia is one of America’s top universities. The first medical school to be established in New York (in 1767), its reputation stretches far beyond its Wall Street setting.
Columbia also has an academic affiliation with several hospitals across Manhattan and is home to several world-renowned research centers such as Harlem Hospital Centre, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, and New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Centre.
The latter opened its doors on West 168th Street – at 165th street – more than 100 years ago and continues to provide excellent medical care with education, research, and outreach programs that have become central to its daily routine. Columbians are smart cookies indeed!
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
If you can make it to Boston, Massachusetts, there’s a great medical school waiting for you: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The school is large and it attracts top students from all over America. The quality of classes is tough (Physics B-17) but your diploma will be worth it, as MIT alumni have a median salary of $77,500—the highest starting salary among all U.S. universities!
If that’s not enough to convince you, more than half of MIT graduates go on to get MD or Ph.D. degrees within 10 years after graduation.
Duke University
A leader in research and healthcare, Duke University School of Medicine is also an academic powerhouse with a legacy of distinguished physicians and educators.
Each year, thousands apply to study at Duke University School of Medicine but very few are selected.
Those who do make it have access to some of the most advanced medical facilities around as well as top experts including Dr. David Hayes, Dr. Lisa Diller, and Dr. Joseph Ibrahim.
If you’re interested in studying medicine at one of the best universities in America, look no further than Duke University School of Medicine.
Emory University
One of the top 10 universities across all categories, Emory University was also named as one of the best 100 universities by QS World University Rankings. Emory University has ranked number 1 in 2019 among Southern Business Schools according to US News.
Its famous alumni include CNN’s John Berman and several athletes. It is a private university situated in Atlanta, Georgia and it offers undergraduate programs, graduate education, and medical studies.
At Emory, you will study with a group of students from more than 60 countries around the world. The campus is located next to Piedmont Park which makes it an ideal setting for research that involves human health related to parking environments and recreation activities.
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University is a private research university with two main campuses, one located just outside of St. Louis and another located on Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s main campus in St. Louis County.
Washington University School of Medicine offers full-time and part-time programs to earn your medical degree from.
At Washington University, you’ll gain clinical experience through rotations at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and area hospitals, allowing you to focus on your education without added distractions that come with taking time off work or your studies.
Clinical training also helps you build relationships that could lead to valuable professional connections after graduation more than one-third of 2015 graduates report being contacted by someone they met during their clinical rotations as a result of an internship or job opportunity.
Northwestern University
Having over 3,000 students, Northwestern’s medical school is highly selective; applicants must have at least a 3.7 GPA and an MCAT score of at least 31.
While tuition is pricey ($47,550 per year), many need-based financial aid options are available. The school’s excellent clinical training program scores high among its graduates.
Furthermore, Northwestern has historically been one of the highest-ranked schools in U.S.