Why Choosing the Best Medical School in US Matters

Harvard Medical School – Boston, MA

Harvard Medical School is at the top of good medical schools, and gives students direct access to some of the most advanced hospitals in the world, like Massachusetts General and Dana-Farber, where they don’t just observe, they actively participate in high-stakes care. From the first year, students in the Pathways track meet patients and learn through small case-based groups, not lecture halls. Those in the HST program work with MIT faculty to explore the science behind medicine at a level of depth that most schools don’t touch. Before graduation, every student participates in a research project that often turns into a real-world impact, sometimes even published work.

Location: BOSTON, MA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.97/521

Key programs: 

• Pathways & HST MD Tracks
• MMSc Dual‑Degree Programs
• Global Health Delivery Intensive & MMSc
• Ragon Institute Collaboration
• Center for Health & the Global Environment
• Global Task Force on Cancer Care (GTF.CCC)

Official website

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – Baltimore, MD

Walk into Johns Hopkins, and you’re stepping into the place that pioneered everything from the first-ever heart surgery prep to the discovery of restriction enzymes. The Genes to Society curriculum teaches context. Students learn to connect molecular science with public health, with direct access to Johns Hopkins Hospital right across the street. Small-group mentoring, simulation labs, and the chance to work on research with real clinical impact make it clear why Hopkins continues to be one of the best med school in us and around the world.

Location: Baltimore, MD

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.97/521

Key programs:

• MD Program
• MD–PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
• MD–MBA
• MD–MPH
• MD–MS in Health Care Management
• Graduate Programs in BCMB, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Physiology
• Master of Applied Science in Community-Based Primary Health Care
• Master of Applied Science in Humanitarian Health
• Master of Applied Science in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
• Master of Applied Science in Population Health Management
• Master of Applied Science in Spatial Analysis for Public Health
• Hopkins Keys to Medicine Online Courses (Pharmacogenetics, Geriatric Mental Healthcare, High-Value Healthcare)

Official website

University of Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine) – Philadelphia, PA

At Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, you’re not stuck in a lecture hall while the real work happens somewhere else. You’re learning side by side with doctors at places like CHOP and Penn Presbyterian, right where care is actually delivered. The IMPaCT curriculum keeps it grounded in reality: a mix of science, patient connection, and hands-on learning from the very start. Your schedule will be diverse. One week it may be learning about hospital processes, the next - being in a trauma bay, observing everything in motion. 

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.97/522

Key programs: 

• MD Program
• MD–PhD Program
• MD–MBA
• MD–MPH
• MD–MS in Health Care Innovation
• Graduate PhD Programs in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Genomics, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology
• Master’s Programs in Bioethics, Regulatory Science, Translational Research, and Public Health
• Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS)
• Continuing Education and Certificate Programs

Official website

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons – New York, NY

At Columbia VP&S, one of the best medical colleges, med students are in the thick of it, right in Manhattan, surrounded by patients from every background imaginable. Just steps from NewYork-Presbyterian, you’re not only training at one of the country’s busiest hospitals, but also learning what it means to treat real people with real challenges, from rare diseases to everyday struggles in underserved communities. The program gives you room to shape your path. You might dive into rural medicine through the Columbia-Bassett track or work toward an MD–PhD in a cutting-edge lab. Either way, the focus stays grounded in patient care and how you’ll grow through it.

Location: New York, NY

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.95/522

Key programs:

• MD Program
• 3-Year PhD-to-MD pathway
• Medical Scientist Training Program (MD–PhD)
• Columbia-Bassett rural health MD track
• MD–OMFS for dual dental medicine
• Dual MD–MBA, MD–MPH, MD–MS options
• Graduate PhD in biomedical sciences
• Genetic counseling, human nutrition, OT, PT master’s
• Certificate and continuing education offerings

Official website

Stanford University School of Medicine – Stanford, CA

When talking about good medical schools, Stanford Medicine immediately pops up. Set in the heart of Silicon Valley, the energy on campus is all about pushing boundaries and building what’s next in healthcare. At Stanford, your days aren’t filled with back-to-back lectures. Rather, you’re working with a small team, learning to answer important medical questions. Research is built into the learning process. Whatever your scope of interest, Stanford will give you the freedom and support you need. 

Location: Stanford, CA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.95/520

Key programs: 

• MD Program
• MD–PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
• Master of Science in PA Studies
• Graduate PhD Programs in Basic and Biomedical Sciences — genetics, immunology, neuroscience, bioinformatics
• Master’s and Certificate offerings in clinical research methods and medical education
• Flipped-classroom curriculum initiative focused on problem-based learning

Official website

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Rochester, MN

At Mayo Clinic Alix, medical school students step directly into patient care. The training happens inside one of the biggest and well-respected hospitals in the world, right where actual decisions are made. Here, you don’t wait years to meet patients or contribute to care. From your first year, you’re part of a team that values compassion as much as clinical skill. Whether you're learning in Minnesota, Arizona, or Florida, you’re surrounded by a culture that takes medicine and your growth in it.

Location: Rochester, MN

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.95/522

Key programs: 

• MD Program at Rochester, Arizona, Jacksonville campuses
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training
• Applied Selectives in areas like regenerative medicine and disaster response
• Science of Health Care Delivery Certificate
• Pathway initiatives focused on diversity, humanities, and wellness
• MD–JD and MD–MBA tracks via partnerships with ASU and Oxford
• Humanities in Medicine distinction program

Official website

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis – St. Louis, MO

WashU Med is the kind of place where curiosity meets structure in all the right ways. From the start, students are part of the hospital system, not just shadowing, but contributing. You’re stepping into real clinical moments early, asking questions that actually matter, and starting to think like a doctor. The Gateway Curriculum doesn’t rush you through science, but weaves it into real-life care, decision-making, and reflection.

Location: St. Louis, MO

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.96/521

Key programs: 

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• MD–PhD and MD–PhD in Biomedical Engineering
• MD–MS in Biomedical Informatics, Clinical Investigation, Population Health Sciences, Public Health, or Business Administration
• Doctor of Audiology
• Master’s in Deaf Education, Genetic Counseling, Medical Physics, Nursing Science, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
• PhD in Biomedical Sciences (13 tracks)
• Graduate training in Applied Health Behavior Research, Biostatistics, and Clinical Investigation

Official website

Yale School of Medicine – New Haven, CT

Yale hands you the room to think for yourself. From the beginning, you’re encouraged to ask hard questions, not just find the right answers. There are no grades, no class rankings, just real trust in your ability to take ownership of what and how you learn. One week, you might be deep in genetics research, the next you’re sitting with patients at a student-run clinic in New Haven. Faculty listen, challenge, and push you to see medicine from every angle. At Yale, becoming a doctor means to learn to lead with curiosity and purpose, and this is why for some, Yale is the best medical school in the US. 

Location: New Haven, CT

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.96/522

Key programs: 

• MD Program with integrated curriculum and Scholarly Project requirement
• MD–PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
• Several graduate programs: PA, MHS, PhD in biomedical and population health fields
• Special tracks and opportunities: Global Health, Humanities in Medicine, Biomedical Ethics, and Simulation training (Yale Center for Healthcare Simulation)

Official website

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

University of California is among the top colleges with the best medical programs. At UCSF, medical education is grounded in the real world because that’s where students spend their time. From the moment you start, you're part of the care team at hospitals like UCSF Mission Bay and San Francisco General. The Bridges Curriculum is built around real patient needs, health system science, and a strong commitment to social justice. You’ll work in diverse communities, learn to question health disparities, and be expected to think like both a clinician and a changemaker. UCSF challenges you to improve the system on which they depend.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.92/517

Key programs:

• MD Program (Bridges Curriculum)
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• MD/MAS — combined with a master’s in clinical research
• Joint UCSF–UC Berkeley Medical Program (JMP)
• Anti‑Oppression Curriculum Initiative
• Graduate programs in biomedical sciences, epidemiology, and clinical investigation
• Specialized training at Mission Bay, Mt. Zion, VA, Benioff Children’s Hospital

Official website

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine – Chicago, IL

Pritzker is a medical school built for people who ask big questions and want to be part of the answers. Tucked into the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, it offers a tight-knit, intellectually charged environment where students are debating, researching, and applying what they learn right away. Clinical training starts early at UChicago Medicine, just across the street, and every student completes a scholarly project with real-world impact. There’s also a strong focus on wellness and mentorship, with a community that supports growth both in and outside the hospital. 

Location: Chicago, IL

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.94/520

Key programs:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• MD–PhD and MD–PhD in Biomedical Engineering
• MD–MS in Biomedical Informatics, Clinical Investigation, Population Health Sciences, Public Health, or Business Administration
• Doctor of Audiology
• Master’s in Deaf Education, Genetic Counseling, Medical Physics, Nursing Science, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
• PhD in Biomedical Sciences (across 13 tracks)
• Graduate training in Applied Health Behavior Research, Biostatistics, and Clinical Investigation

Official websit

Duke University School of Medicine – Durham, NC

At Duke, from your very first year, you’re learning by doing, working with patients, building clinical skills, and understanding what care really looks like. The Patient FIRST curriculum is designed to fast-track the basics so you can get into real-world settings sooner. By the third year, you’re fully immersed in research or diving into a second degree. The campus might be compact, but the drive and ambition here feel limitless. Mentorship isn’t an afterthought. Faculty make time, ask questions, and help you shape what comes next. It’s that mix of focus and flexibility that puts Duke among the best colleges for medicine.

Location: Durham, NC

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.91/520

Key programs:

• MD Program (Patient FIRST curriculum)
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• MD–MBA
• MD–MPP
• MD–MPH
• MD–JD
• Primary Care Leadership Track (PCLT)
• Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC)
• Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research
• Master’s in Biomedical Sciences
• PhD Programs in Basic Science Fields
• Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP)
• Duke R38 Research Pathway

Official website

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine – Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt feels like a place that expects you to jump in and gives you the space to do it. You’ll get through the classroom phase quickly, then move straight into clinics where real patients and real problems become part of how you learn. The atmosphere is collaborative, not competitive. Professors know your name. Mentors check in because they want to, not because they’re assigned. And if you care about more than just passing exams, maybe it’s health equity, data science, or even medical education, there’s room to chase that too. 

Location: Nashville, TN

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.97/522

Key programs:

• MD Program (Curriculum 2.0)
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• MD–MBA
• MD–MPH
• MD–JD
• MD–M.S. in Biomedical Informatics
• MD–M.Div.
• MD–M.Ed.
• MD–M.T.S.
• MD–M.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society
• MD–M.S.C.I. (Clinical Investigation)
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery MD Program
• Master of Applied Clinical Informatics
• Interprofessional Learning Program (VPIL)

Official website

Cornell University (Weill Cornell Medical College) – New York, NY

Weill Cornell sits right in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and the school is deeply tied to some of the most respected hospitals in the country, like NewYork-Presbyterian, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Rockefeller University. They’re across the street, and often part of your daily rounds. You’re learning science, clinical skills, ethics, and communication side by side, with patient care starting early and never treated as an afterthought. There’s a strong research focus too, with projects in everything from cancer biology to health equity. And while there’s structure, there’s no formula. 

Location: New York, NY

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.94/519

Key programs:

• MD Program 
• Tri‑Institutional MD–PhD (with Rockefeller and Sloan Kettering)
• MD–MBA through Cornell Johnson School of Management
• Graduate programs in biomedical sciences and public health
• Areas of Concentration tracks offering focused research opportunities
• Longitudinal ethics curriculum embedded across four years

Official website

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine – Chicago, IL

Located just off Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago, the school puts students at the center of a major academic medical center, with clinical rotations at places like Northwestern Memorial and Lurie Children’s starting early. The curriculum is designed to connect the dots between research, clinical care, and health systems from day one. You learn how to understand the patient behind diseases, not just to treat them, and how to improve the system around them. 

Location: Chicago, IL

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.94/521

Key programs:

• MD Program with an integrated three-phase curriculum
• Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars (NUPSP) early acceptance program
• Northwestern Premedicine Linkage (NUPLP) post-bac pathway
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• Dual MD–residency/degree options: MD–MBA, MD–MPH, MD–MS in Clinical Investigation, MD–MS in Health Services & Outcomes Research, MD–MS in Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety
• Master of Science in Health Services and Outcomes Research
• Master's in Health Informatics (MHI)
• PhD programs in basic science and public health fields
• Clinical certificate programs through Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Radiography

Official website

University of Michigan Medical School – Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor feels like the perfect size. The city’s lively around you, yet the medical school sits among leafy quads and purpose-built clinics. At Michigan, you’ll learn in simulation labs at any time of day, then move into real clinical spaces and clinics early on. The Systems-Based curriculum teaches the science, but also how to solve problems, work with teams, and connect with patients. Faculty are mentors in a program shaped to help you become the kind of doctor you actually want to be.

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.92/517

Key programs:

• MD Program with Systems-Based Basic Science and applied clinical integration
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• Master’s Programs in Clinical Research, Public Health, and Biomedical Sciences
• PhD Programs across Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and more
• Postdoctoral Fellowships and Residency/Fellowship training
• Clinical Simulation Centers open 24/7 for practical skills
• Interdisciplinary Initiatives like Integrative Medicine, Translational Oncology, and Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine

Official website

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai – New York, NY

Stepping into Icahn means joining a pioneering center for science and healing in the heart of Manhattan. You’re training in one of the most research-driven environments in the U.S., surrounded by eight hospital campuses and a community that thrives on discovery and impact. From the start, the new Ascend curriculum pushes you into patient care, real-world problem-solving, and rotations at public and private hospitals. When you’re not in the clinic, you could be working on CRISPR-based therapies or designing equitable care programs for New York’s diverse communities. Mentorship is personal and driven by faculty who want to see your ideas flourish in labs or clinics.

Location: New York, NY

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.95/520

Key programs:

• MD Program – Ascend curriculum blending early clinical work with research
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• MD–MPH and MD–MS in Clinical Research
• Master’s and PhD tracks across genetics, genomics, immunology, neuroscience, cardiology, oncology
• FlexMed early assurance for undergraduates
• Robust residency and fellowship offerings across eight Mount Sinai hospitals
• Center-based research hubs like the Icahn Genomics Institute and strong CME programs

Official website

Some students enter med school with goals beyond hospital walls, like starting a clinic. If you’re coming from a nursing background, these nursing business ideas will offer inspiration.

University of California, Los Angeles (David Geffen School of Medicine) – Los Angeles, CA

UCLA’s medical school is part classroom, part community, and entirely hands-on. From the moment you arrive at Geffen Hall, you’re learning through patient stories, data, and early clinical experiences. The HEALS curriculum blends science and care from day one, using small-group sessions and flipped classrooms to make medicine feel less abstract and more real. Whether you’re exploring cancer genomics in a lab, working on health equity in Westwood clinics, or building skills in bioinformatics, UCLA not only encourages curiosity, but it rewards it. 

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.8/516

Key programs:

• Traditional MD Program (HEALS Curriculum)
• PRIME-LA dual degree in medicine and leadership for underserved communities
• MSTP (MD–PhD with UCLA–Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program)
• MD–MAS in Clinical Research
• Clinical Informatics Fellowships
• PhD and Master’s programs in Biomedical Sciences (e.g, Genetics, Neuroscience, Cell Biology)
• International Medical Graduate (IMG) Program
• Specialized research centers: e.g., Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Jules Stein Eye Institute

Official website

University of Washington School of Medicine – Seattle, WA

At UW, medicine thrives across the entire Pacific Northwest. Known for its WWAMI program, students begin their journey in regions like Alaska or Montana before converging in Seattle. From the first weeks, you’re part of patient care in community clinics and top-tier hospitals across five states. The school’s ‘colleges’ system builds close mentoring bonds, and the curriculum blends flipped-classroom systems science with real-world patient work. Whether you're drawn to rural health, global outreach, or biomedical research, UW supports it. 

Location: Seattle, WA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.7/512

Key programs:

• MD Program (with WWAMI—Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho)
• MD–PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
• Residency and fellowship programs (120+ ACGME-accredited)
• Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
• MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program (Master’s, PharmD)
• Medical Laboratory Science (BS)
• Global Health Pathway, Immersion & Clinical Elective
• Master’s in Clinical Research, Public Health and Biomedical Sciences
• PhD and postdoctoral training in biomedical and health sciences

Official website

Emory University School of Medicine – Atlanta, GA

At Emory Med, curiosity meets purpose. From day one, students begin dipping into patient care in community clinics and major hospitals like Emory University Hospital and Grady, guided by small groups and dedicated faculty. The curriculum starts with a creative twist, like a week shadowing on the wards and a five-month ‘Healthy Human’ phase before scalpel meets skin. By the third year, students dive into a discovery phase, which is your chance to pursue real research or projects. Emory backs you with resources, support, and a community that wants your ideas to grow.

Location: Atlanta, GA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.7/514

Key programs:

• MD Program with small-group learning and early clinical exposure
• Medical Scientist Training Program (MD–PhD)
• MD–MPH, MD–MBA, MD–M.S. in Clinical Research, MD–M.A. in Bioethics
• Master’s in Public Health and Biomedical Sciences
• Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Programs
• Genetic Counseling Training Program
• Anesthesiologist Assistant Program
• Residencies and fellowships across over 25 clinical disciplines
• Postdoctoral and continuing medical education offerings

Official website

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine – Pittsburgh, PA

At Pitt Med, you get into action early. Whether you're in community clinics or walking the halls of UPMC hospitals, hands-on patient care begins in your first year. The curriculum combines clinical reasoning, social medicine, and leadership so you're learning to apply science. Everyone completes a long-term research project, and many choose to pair their MD with an advanced degree, like public health, business, or bioethics.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.90/517

Key programs:

• MD Program with early clinical exposure and longitudinal research
• MD–PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
• Clinical Scientist Training Program (CSTP)
• Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)
• Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT)
• Joint MD/MBA
• MD/MPH
• MD/MA in Bioethics
• Guaranteed Admission and Early Decision Programs
• Graduate and Postdoctoral study in biomedical sciences, public health, clinical research, and ethics

Official website

UT Southwestern Medical School – Dallas, TX

UT Southwestern is the hospital, the research lab, and the classroom all in one. Located in the heart of Dallas, UTSW gives students immediate access to clinical experience at places like Clements University Hospital and Parkland Memorial, where the pace is fast and the learning is constant. The school’s curriculum is structured but flexible, blending a strong foundation in science with early patient contact and longitudinal mentorship through its academic ‘colleges.’ Students work in teams, shadow real physicians, and contribute to research that actually changes how medicine is practiced. 

Location: Dallas, TX

Average GPA/MCAT: 3.95/517

Key programs:

• MD Program with integrated three-phase curriculum
• MD–PhD Medical Scientist Training Program
• MD–MPH (with the new Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health)
• Dual degrees: MD–MBA, MD–MS in Clinical Science
• Clinical Scholars Program
• Research Track and Global Health Track
• Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (PhD, MS in biomedical fields)
• School of Health Professions (PA, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics-Orthotics, Clinical Nutrition, and more)
• Postdoctoral fellowships and residency training across major specialties

Official website