Top Medical Schools for Research

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.

Top medical schools for aspiring physician-scientists, ranked by academic selectivity and research focus.

Updated January 2026 • 25 schools ranked

Data last updated: February 4, 2026

How We Rank

Research-focused schools are identified by their academic selectivity (high MCAT medians) and reputation for research training. These schools typically have strong NIH funding and MD/PhD programs.

				Tuition (In-State)
1	NYU Grossman School of Medicine new-york	522	3.95	$4,350
2	Harvard Medical School massachusetts	522	3.95	$73,221
3	Yale School of Medicine connecticut	521	3.91	$73,495
4	Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania pennsylvania	521	3.96	$74,687
5	Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine missouri	521	3.94	$68,795
6	Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine illinois	521	3.94	$73,601
7	Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons new-york	520	3.92	$75,679
8	Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine maryland	520	3.99	$66,874
9	University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine illinois	520	3.97	$64,952
10	Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine minnesota	519	3.90	$65,920
11	USF Health Morsani College of Medicine florida	519	3.97	$33,726
12	The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine texas	519	3.95	$26,619
13	Baylor College of Medicine texas	519	3.96	$23,409
14	Stanford University School of Medicine california	519	3.96	$68,492
15	Duke University School of Medicine north-carolina	518	3.83	$74,849
16	Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine massachusetts	518	3.87	$72,490
17	Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California california	518	3.92	$74,373
18	University of Virginia School of Medicine virginia	518	3.91	$53,444
19	Vanderbilt University School of Medicine tennessee	518	3.91	$70,660
20	University of Michigan Medical School michigan	518	3.94	$55,968
21	Weill Cornell Medicine new-york	518	3.88	$74,194
22	University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry new-york	517	3.91	$74,659
23	Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell new-york	517	3.87	$60,075
24	Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School new-jersey	517	3.89	$47,658
25	Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University new-york	517	3.92	$50,138