Best Medical Schools for Primary Care

Q: How is this ranking calculated?

This ranking is based on publicly available admissions data and institutional reports. We use transparent, data-driven criteria to help you understand competitiveness and find schools that match your profile.

Q: How often is this data updated?

We update our medical school data annually, typically in the fall when schools report their latest class statistics. The data shown reflects the most recent matriculating class.

Q: Should I only apply to schools at the top of this ranking?

No! A balanced school list includes "reach" schools (where your stats are below median), "target" schools (where you match well), and "safety" schools (where your stats exceed their medians). Apply based on multiple factors: your stats, location preferences, mission fit, and program strengths.

Medical schools with strong primary care missions, community health training, and family medicine residency placement.

Updated January 2026 • 25 schools ranked

Data last updated: February 4, 2026

How We Rank

Primary care focused schools are identified by their mission emphasis on community medicine, rural health, and family practice. Many public schools with community-focused missions excel here.


1	Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine west-virginia	3.9%	502	3.84
2	Mercer University School of Medicine georgia	14.4%	503	3.79
3	The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine texas	0.9%	505	3.74
4	University of Mississippi School of Medicine mississippi	46.3%	505	3.90
5	Meharry Medical College tennessee	1.5%	505	3.84
6	Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine california	1.4%	505	3.51
7	University of New Mexico School of Medicine new-mexico	5.9%	505	3.82
8	Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport louisiana	4.1%	506	3.82
9	University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine texas	1.3%	506	3.85
10	University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences north-dakota	4.6%	506	3.87
11	Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University tennessee	3.7%	507	3.71
12	Tulane University School of Medicine louisiana	1.4%	507	3.54
13	University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine arkansas	6.2%	507	3.91
14	West Virginia University School of Medicine west-virginia	2.2%	507	3.88
15	University of Kentucky College of Medicine kentucky	4.7%	507	3.87
16	Southern Illinois University School of Medicine illinois	7.3%	508	3.89
17	University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine missouri	6.7%	508	3.85
18	University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine south-dakota	6.5%	508	3.84
19	Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama alabama	5.5%	508	3.94
20	Georgetown University School of Medicine district-of-columbia	1.4%	508	3.62
21	University of Louisville School of Medicine kentucky	3.2%	509	3.84
22	Central Michigan University College of Medicine michigan	1.4%	509	3.86
23	Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine oregon	2.7%	509	3.82
24	University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville south-carolina	2.3%	509	3.91
25	University of Oklahoma College of Medicine oklahoma	8.8%	509	3.89