College for Doctors: List of Medical Schools in the U.S.

Physicians and surgeons treat people who are suffering from injuries and disease. To become a physician or surgeon, one must go through many years of medical school and clinical study. When considering which medical school to apply to, prospective doctors may want to consider the schools accreditation, financial aid opportunities, school rankings and residency options.

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How to Select a Medical School

When considering medical school, prospective students should look for programs that are accredited. For a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program, the accrediting agency is the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) programs are accredited by the American Osteopathic Association. Both of these agencies and degrees are recognized universally in the United States and within the broader medical field. Accreditation assures the programs meets the education standards to prepare students for state licensure.

Many new doctors come out of school in heavy debt. In fact, 85% of public medical school graduates and 86% of private medical school graduates are in debt upon graduation, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Therefore, students researching medical schools may want to find one that not only challenges them academically, but offers financial aid. Aid can come in the form of government grants and private loan programs; most public schools offer government financial aid programs, but not all private schools do.

Prospective doctors and surgeons should also consider a medical school's awards and rankings, such as the annual list compiled by U.S. News and World Report. Rankings are available for both the overall school and individual programs or specialties. Students should consider both when selecting their medical school.

Residency programs and teaching hospitals are also important to consider when selecting a med school. Medical residencies, which takes place after the first four years of academic and clinical work, are available in multiple specialties; a prospective student should make sure the school has a strong program in the specialization in which he or she is interested, such as cardiology, pediatrics and anesthesiology. This information can often be found on the school's website.

Largest Medical Schools in the U.S. by Overall Student Enrollment

College/University Student Population Institution Type
Arizona State University 67,082 4-year, Public
Ohio State University - Main Campus 53,715 4-year, Public
University of Florida 51,474 4-year, Public
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 51,140 4-year, Public
University of Central Florida 50,121 4-year, Public
The University of Texas at Austin 49,984 4-year, Public
Texas A & M University 48,039 4-year, Public
Michigan State University 46,510 4-year, Public
University of South Florida 46,189 4-year, Public
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus 44,406 4-year, Public
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign 43,246 4-year, Public
New York University 42,189 4-year, Private not-for-profit
University of Wisconsin - Madison 41,620 4-year, Public
Purdue University - Main Campus 41,433 4-year, Public
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 41,028 4-year, Public
Indiana University - Bloomington 40,354 4-year, Public
University of Washington - Seattle Campus 39,675 4-year, Public
Florida International University 38,759 4-year, Public
Florida State University 38,682 4-year, Public
University of California - Los Angeles 38,220 4-year, Public
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3 Popular Schools

  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
    • Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
    • Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Online Programs

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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Online Programs

    • Doctorate
        • Doctorate in Healthcare Management & Leadership

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Other Popular Schools:

  • Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Agriculture
    • Architecture
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Physical Sciences
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Legal
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Physical Sciences
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at New England Institute of Technology include:
      • Non-Degree: Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Engineering
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at Golden Gate University include:
      • Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Business
    • Computer Sciences
    • Legal
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Architecture
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Physical Sciences
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Agriculture
    • Architecture
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Legal
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Physical Sciences
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    • Business
    • Communications and Journalism
    • Computer Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Legal
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    • Medical and Health Professions
    • Physical Sciences
    • Psychology
    • Visual and Performing Arts

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