Best Medical Schools in the U.S. Ranked

Written by Jessica Freedman, M.D. | Feb 7, 2026

What are the top U.S. Medical Schools?

Baylor College of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is one of the most critical components of your medical school application. MedEdits' unique ranking methodology combines median MCAT scores with comprehensive outcomes data, including match list strength, residency placements, and MedEdits internal acceptance patterns, to provide a more holistic view of medical school competitiveness.

Similar to U.S. News rankings, our top-tier schools are grouped as "tied" when they demonstrate comparable selectivity and outcomes despite slight MCAT variations. These elite institutions consistently produce exceptional physicians who match into competitive residencies across all specialties.

At MedEdits Medical Admissions, we specialize in helping students navigate every aspect of the medical school admissions process, from comprehensive admissions consulting to MCAT preparation.

Below the elite tier, schools are ranked numerically by median MCAT score (starting at #4), providing clear benchmarks for applicants assessing their competitiveness. For context, we've included median GPA data, though this does not affect the MCAT-based rankings.

Keep in mind, that we are firm believers that any U.S.-based medical school is a great one!

523

Highest Median MCAT Score
(NYU Grossman)

498

Lowest MCAT Score
(San Juan Bautista)

186

Medical Schools
Ranked by MCAT

Rank	Medical School	Median MCAT	Median GPA
T1	Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX	519	3.96
T1	Duke University School of Medicine Durham, NC	520	3.91
T1	Harvard Medical School Boston, MA	521	3.97
T1	NYU Grossman School of Medicine New York, NY	523	3.97
T1	Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA	520	3.95
T1	University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA	522	3.97
T2	Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons New York, NY	522	3.95
T2	Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD	521	3.97
T2	Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL	521	3.94
T2	University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Chicago, IL	520	3.94
T3	Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Rochester, MN	522	3.95
T3	University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, VA	520	3.96
T3	Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville, TN	522	3.97
T3	Weill Cornell Medicine New York, NY	519	3.94
T3	Yale School of Medicine New Haven, CT	522	3.96
4	Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY	520	3.95
5	Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine Saint Louis, MO	521	3.96
6	University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL	520	3.96
7	Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Boston, MA	519	3.91
7	University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine San Antonio, TX	519	3.95
9	Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Cleveland, OH	518	3.93
9	University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, NY	518	3.91
9	Hofstra University Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine Hempstead, NY	518	3.90
12	Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY	517	3.91
12	Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School Providence, RI	517	3.88
12	University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Irvine, CA	517	3.90
12	University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine San Francisco, CA	517	3.92
12	University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA	517	3.93
12	University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, MI	517	3.92
12	University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA	517	3.90
12	University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA	517	3.91
12	University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX	517	3.95
12	University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Austin, TX	517	3.93
12	Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook, NY	517	3.93
12	New York Medical College Valhalla, NY	517	3.86
25	Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine Hanover, NH	516	3.89
25	Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA	516	3.88
25	Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Boca Raton, FL	516	3.93
25	Carle Illinois College of Medicine Urbana, IL	516	3.88
25	Tufts University School of Medicine Boston, MA	516	3.90
25	University of California, San Diego School of Medicine La Jolla, CA	516	3.90
25	University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora, CO	516	3.89
32	Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington, DC	515	3.90
32	The Ohio State University College of Medicine Columbus, OH	515	3.90
32	Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Newark, NJ	515	3.87
32	Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Piscataway, NJ	515	3.86
32	University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA	515	3.86
32	University of Central Florida College of Medicine Orlando, FL	515	3.94
32	University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, OH	515	3.90
32	University of Connecticut School of Medicine Farmington, CT	515	3.87
32	University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL	515	3.93
32	University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD	515	3.90
32	University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL	515	3.90
32	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Chapel Hill, NC	515	3.87
32	Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Camden, NJ	515	3.91
32	Creighton University School of Medicine Omaha, NE	515	3.90
47	California Northstate University College of Medicine Elk Grove, CA	514	3.86
47	Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, PA	514	3.89
47	George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Washington, DC	514	3.88
47	Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College Philadelphia, PA	514	3.89
47	McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Houston, TX	514	3.91
47	Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH	514	3.88
47	Saint Louis University School of Medicine Saint Louis, MO	514	3.92
47	SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine Brooklyn, NY	514	3.84
47	University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, MA	514	3.85
47	Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Richmond, VA	514	3.90
47	Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Kalamazoo, MI	514	3.86
47	Augusta University Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA	514	3.89
59	Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA	513	3.82
59	Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN	513	3.92
59	Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine Maywood, IL	513	3.85
59	Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Davie, FL	513	3.87
59	SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY	513	3.82
59	Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA	513	3.83
59	Texas A&M University School of Medicine Bryan, TX	513	3.91
59	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine El Paso, TX	513	3.94
59	University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine Honolulu, HI	513	3.88
59	University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN	513	3.86
59	University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE	513	3.92
59	University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington, VT	513	3.81
59	University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX	513	3.86
59	Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Roanoke, VA	513	3.80
73	Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA	512	3.82
73	Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA	512	3.92
73	Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine North Haven, CT	512	3.83
73	Tulane University School of Medicine New Orleans, LA	512	3.81
73	University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, IL	512	3.80
73	University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine Memphis, TN	512	3.90
73	West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown, WV	512	3.89
73	West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Lewisburg, WV	512	3.89
81	Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI	511	3.86
81	Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine Charleston, SC	511	3.91
81	Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago, IL	511	3.80
81	University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Tucson, AZ	511	3.87
81	University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Reno, NV	511	3.85
81	University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Oklahoma City, OK	511	3.88
81	University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Toledo, OH	511	3.87
81	University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City, UT	511	3.88
81	University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, WA	511	3.81
81	University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI	511	3.84
81	Albany Medical College Albany, NY	511	3.80
81	East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Greenville, NC	511	3.76
81	East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine Johnson City, TN	511	3.87
81	Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Miami, FL	511	3.92
81	University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine Kansas City, MO	511	3.88
81	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Lubbock, TX	511	3.95
81	Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston Salem, NC	511	3.88
81	Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Spokane, WA	511	3.73
81	Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, MI	511	3.86
29	The Ohio State University College of Medicine Columbus, OH	515	3.90
29	University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA	515	3.86
29	University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL	515	3.93
29	University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL	515	3.90
29	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Chapel Hill, NC	515	3.87
34	University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, WA	511	3.81
35	University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL	520	3.96
36	University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine San Antonio, TX	519	3.95
37	University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, NY	518	3.91
37	Hofstra University Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine Hempstead, NY	518	3.90
39	University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Irvine, CA	517	3.90
39	University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Austin, TX	517	3.93
39	University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA	517	3.93
39	Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook, NY	517	3.93
39	New York Medical College Valhalla, NY	517	3.86
44	Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine Hanover, NH	516	3.89
44	University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora, CO	516	3.89
44	Tufts University School of Medicine Boston, MA	516	3.90
44	Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Boca Raton, FL	516	3.93
44	Carle Illinois College of Medicine Urbana, IL	516	3.88
49	Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Newark, NJ	515	3.87
49	University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD	515	3.90
49	University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, OH	515	3.90
49	Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington, DC	515	3.90
49	University of Central Florida College of Medicine Orlando, FL	515	3.94
49	Creighton University School of Medicine Omaha, NE	515	3.90
49	Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Piscataway, NJ	515	3.86
49	University of Connecticut School of Medicine Farmington, CT	515	3.87
49	Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Camden, NJ	515	3.91
58	University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, MA	514	3.85
58	Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College Philadelphia, PA	514	3.89
58	McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Houston, TX	514	3.91
58	SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine Brooklyn, NY	514	3.84
58	Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Richmond, VA	514	3.90
58	Augusta University Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA	514	3.89
58	Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Kalamazoo, MI	514	3.86
58	Saint Louis University School of Medicine Saint Louis, MO	514	3.92
58	Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, PA	514	3.89
58	George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Washington, DC	514	3.88
58	Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH	514	3.88
69	University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX	513	3.86
69	University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine Honolulu, HI	513	3.88
69	University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN	513	3.86
69	Texas A&M University School of Medicine Bryan, TX	513	3.91
69	Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN	513	3.92
69	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine El Paso, TX	513	3.94
69	Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Davie, FL	513	3.87
69	University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE	513	3.92
69	SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY	513	3.82
69	Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA	513	3.83
69	University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington, VT	513	3.81
69	Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA	513	3.82
69	Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Roanoke, VA	513	3.80
69	Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine Maywood, IL	513	3.85
84	University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, IL	512	3.80
84	Tulane University School of Medicine New Orleans, LA	512	3.81
84	Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA	512	3.92
84	University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine Memphis, TN	512	3.90
84	West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown, WV	512	3.89
84	Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine North Haven, CT	512	3.83
84	Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA	512	3.82
91	University of Alabama School of Medicine Birmingham, AL	510	3.88
91	University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI	511	3.84
91	University of California, Davis School of Medicine Sacramento, CA	510	3.70
91	Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston Salem, NC	511	3.88
91	Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine Charleston, SC	511	3.91
91	University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Tucson, AZ	511	3.87
91	University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City, UT	511	3.88
91	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Lubbock, TX	511	3.95
91	Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, MI	511	3.86
91	University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Oklahoma City, OK	511	3.88
91	Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago, IL	511	3.80
91	Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI	511	3.86
91	Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Miami, FL	511	3.92
91	University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Toledo, OH	511	3.87
91	East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine Johnson City, TN	511	3.87
91	Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Spokane, WA	511	3.73
91	Albany Medical College Albany, NY	511	3.80
91	East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Greenville, NC	511	3.76
91	University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine Kansas City, MO	511	3.88
91	University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Reno, NV	511	3.85
112	Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine Portland, OR	510	3.77
112	University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Buffalo, NY	510	3.79
112	University of California, Riverside School of Medicine Riverside, CA	510	3.77
112	University of Missouri School of Medicine Columbia, MO	510	3.90
112	Florida State University College of Medicine Tallahassee, FL	510	3.87
112	Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans New Orleans, LA	510	3.85
112	University of Kansas School of Medicine Kansas City, KS	510	3.92
112	Penn State College of Medicine State College, PA	510	3.84
112	University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Edinburg, TX	510	3.92
112	Rush University Medical College Chicago, IL	510	3.74
112	University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine Las Vegas, NV	510	3.77
112	Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine Stillwater, OK	510	3.94
112	Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Dayton, OH	510	3.87
125	University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, KY	509	3.84
125	Michigan State University College of Human Medicine East Lansing, MI	509	3.84
125	University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Vermillion, SD	509	3.84
125	Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Harlem New York, NY	509	3.56
125	University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Fort Worth, TX	509	3.86
130	University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine Mobile, AL	508	3.93
130	University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Grand Forks, ND	508	3.86
130	Central Michigan University College of Medicine Mount Pleasant, MI	508	3.84
130	University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Little Rock, AR	508	3.91
130	Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Springfield, IL	508	3.89
135	Howard University College of Medicine Washington, DC	507	3.67
135	Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport Shreveport, LA	507	3.82
135	Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine Des Moines, IA	507	3.66
135	Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine Lillington, NC	507	3.66
135	Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine Meridian, ID	507	3.57
135	Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Downers Grove, IL	507	3.53
135	Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Stratford, NJ	507	3.65
135	Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine Vallejo, CA	507	3.51
135	Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, CA	507	3.67
144	University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine Tyler, TX	506	3.73
144	Meharry Medical College Nashville, TN	506	3.65
144	Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Conroe, TX	506	3.69
144	University of Houston College of Medicine Houston, TX	506	3.85
148	University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Biddeford, ME	505	3.61
148	University of New Mexico School of Medicine Albuquerque, NM	505	3.79
148	University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS	505	3.90
148	Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Huntington, WV	505	3.84
148	Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine Kansas City, MO	505	3.62
148	New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine New York, NY	505	3.60
148	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PA	505	3.41
155	Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Los Angeles, CA	504	3.54
155	Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Lynchburg, VA	504	3.40
155	Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Meridian, CO	504	3.54
158	Mercer University School of Medicine Macon, GA	503	3.79
158	Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Fort Lauderdale, FL	503	3.60
160	Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Blacksburg, VA	502	3.70
160	University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine Pikeville, KY	502	3.63
162	Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine University Park, NM	501	3.48
163	Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA	508	3.78
164	University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington, KY	507	3.87
165	University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia Columbia, SC	510	3.88
166	California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine Clovis, CA	506	3.40
167	West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Lewisburg, WV	512	3.89
168	Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA	505	3.74
169	Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Bradenton Bradenton, FL	505	3.74
170	California Northstate University College of Medicine Elk Grove, CA	514	3.86
171	Belmont University College of Medicine Nashville, TN	509	3.76
172	Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine Dothan, AL	504	3.38
172	Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine Terrace Heights, WA	504	3.60
172	Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine Indianapolis, IN	504	3.65
172	Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Provo, UT	504	3.47
172	A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona Mesa, AZ	504	3.46
172	William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine Pascagoula, MS	504	3.56
178	A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Kirksville, MO	503	3.71
178	University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine San Antonio, TX	503	3.60
180	Kansas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine Wichita, KS	502	3.42
181	Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine Fort Smith, AR	500	3.50
181	Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine Harrogate, TN	500	3.50
183	Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine Bayamón, PR	499	3.72
183	Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine Ponce, PR	499	3.67
185	San Juan Bautista School of Medicine Caguas, PR	498	3.68
186	University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine San Juan, PR	504	3.83

Essential Resources for Medical School Applicants

Achieving competitive MCAT scores is just one component of a successful medical school application. Explore these resources to strengthen your entire application:

MedEdits Services

Official AAMC Resources

Understanding the Rankings

About These MCAT-Based Rankings

These rankings focus exclusively on median MCAT scores to provide a clear view of the academic competitiveness of each institution from a standardized testing perspective. The MCAT is scored on a scale from 472 to 528, with a median score of approximately 500 for all test-takers.

It's important to note that while MCAT scores are a significant factor in admissions decisions, medical schools employ holistic review processes that consider numerous other factors including GPA, clinical experience, research involvement, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.

The schools listed here represent some of the most academically competitive medical programs in the United States. However, the "best" medical school for you depends on many factors beyond MCAT scores, including location preferences, specific program strengths, teaching philosophy, research opportunities, and overall fit with your career goals.

For personalized guidance on selecting schools that match your profile and goals, contact MedEdits to schedule a consultation with our experienced admissions advisors.

Data current as of 2025. Rankings based solely on median MCAT scores. For the most current admissions data, consult individual school websites and the AAMC.

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