U.S. News Releases 2024 Best Medical Schools

The latest edition highlights academic excellence, research impact and graduate placement success.

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today released the 2024 Best Medical Schools in Research and 2024 Best Medical Schools in Primary Care. In each of these categories, the methodology was updated to recognize the top medical schools by placing them within four different tiers of performance.

"Choosing a medical school that complements a student's learning style and career goals is crucial for future physicians," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor of Education at U.S. News. "U.S. News' Best Medical Schools is an excellent resource for prospective students to find comparable information they need for evaluating medical schools in one accessible place. This year's edition provides premed students with a great starting point for comparing competitive programs so that they can make the best decision for their future."

To help prospective students choose their best options, U.S. News produced two separate lists: Best Medical Schools for Research and Best Medical Schools for Primary Care. Both evaluated schools on faculty resources and the academic achievement of incoming students. The research-focused evaluation also factored in medical research grants, while primary care instead factored in graduate placement and practice in the primary care fields.

The 2024 Best Medical Schools methodology evaluated eligible institutions that submitted data to U.S. News. U.S. News believes that prospective students should have access to as much information as possible to compare schools they are interested in attending.

U.S. News did not include current data from the entire universe of medical schools. Instead, the 2024 Best Medical Schools for Research and Best Medical Schools for Primary Care ratings provide students with access to data from those schools which submitted their data to U.S. News. Schools that chose not to provide data are unranked this year.

The 2024 highest performing medical schools, presented alphabetically, are:

Tier 1 Medical Schools: Research

• Baylor College of Medicine
• Case Western Reserve University
• Emory University
• Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker)
• Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
• Northwestern University (Feinberg)
• Ohio State University
• University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen)
• University of California - San Diego
• University of California - San Francisco
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Vanderbilt University
• Yale University

Tier 1 Medical Schools: Primary Care

• East Carolina University (Brody)
• Saint Louis University
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• University of California - Davis
• University of California - San Francisco
• University of Hawaii - Manoa (Burns)
• University of Kansas Medical Center
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
• University of Minnesota
• University of Nebraska Medical Center
• University of New Mexico
• University North Texas Health Science Center
• Western University Health Sciences

Specialty Rankings 

Additionally, the 2024 Best Medical Schools include updated specialty numerical rankings in diversity and practice areas:

• Most Diverse Medical Schools
• Medical Schools with the Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
• Medical Schools with the Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
• Medical Schools With the Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas

The 2024 Best Medical Schools are a part of 2024 Best Graduate Schools, which are designed for prospective students looking to advance their education post-college. Prospective medical school students researching medical schools that are unranked in research and primary care can find information about their previous ranking.  In addition, students can also peruse postgraduate education advice articles, including 'Pros and Cons of Waiting to Attend Medical School,' and 'How to Find a Medical School That Leads to a Research Career.'

For more information, visit Best Medical Schools and use #BestGradSchools and/or #BestMedicalSchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).

About U.S. News & World Report 
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.