Top Medicine Colleges in USA: Ranking, Courses, Fees, Scholarships and Scope

If world-class education and a secured high-paying job in medicine is the dream, then the USA is an ideal destination. Having said that, QS rankings enlisted 30 medicine Colleges in USA among the top 100 positions in the world. Unlike other countries, studying medicine in the USA begins as a postgraduate (Doctor of Medicine) program. Aside from this, there are other essentials for studying medicine in the USA. These include meeting pre-medical school requirements as an international student. 

• As per BLS, the healthcare sector in the US will see a growth of 15% from 2019-2029, adding 2.4 million new jobs. 
• One of the highest paid jobs in US is in the healthcare sector, with a median salary of 69,870 USD per annum.
• In particular, physicians and surgeons are the highest paid in the healthcare sector, earning an average pay of 208,000 USD per annum. 
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) claims, out of 1,195 international students who applied for MD programs, only 97 were selected. However, acceptance rates increase if international students pursue undergraduate degrees from Medical schools in the USA.
• This rate of acceptance suggests that cracking into medical schools in the USA can be extremely challenging. 

Each year many applications for MD programs drop-in, from different parts of the world compared to the vacancies. As a fact, convoluted selection procedures fit the best candidates. Hence, the only way around is excellent academic records and better performance at the interviews.

Globally Ranking Medicine Colleges in USA

As per the QS Global Rankings 2022 for Medicine, about 30 Medical Colleges in the USA are ranked in the top 100 positions, globally. Listed below are 6 medicine colleges of the USA that made it to the top 15 positions in the world.

These medicine colleges in the USA are the global leaders which makes it really difficult to get selected in one. But if you are the gem who is capable of cracking the entrance with these, it can be assured that there lies a pool of opportunities waiting ahead of you. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: Degrees and Specializations

Studying in the USA can make a huge difference in a student's life. With a plethora of choices before them, the country offers the right infrastructure, job security, and handsome payoff.

Below are some of the degrees and specializations in the medical colleges in the USA at the different educational levels:

Applicants must note: There are no bachelors in medicine available at medical schools in the USA. However, pursuing a related pre-medical degree (bachelors) from the USA increases the chance of an international student to get into the postgraduate programs offered in the field of medicine in the USA. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: Undergraduate Programs

Before embarking on a medical career, students need to look for a bachelor’s program that pertains to a Master of Doctor (MD) degree in the future. Here are some of the undergraduate programs available at some of the popular Medical colleges in the USA:

Medicine Colleges in USA: Eligibility for Bachelors 

The basic requirements that every student applying for undergraduate programs in the USA have to conform to, are as follows:

Academic requirements: Completed Class XII (having Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics) with a minimum average of 85%. 
Language Requirements: Minimum scores for IELTS-6.5, TOEFL (internet-based)-79 to 90/(paper-based)-577, Duolingo-120, PTE-70.
Entrance test: SAT and ACT scores are accepted. Students are required to score a minimum score of 1500 for SAT or a minimum of 35 for ACT.
Required ?Documents: Students need to keep these following documents in-hand-

• School leaving certificates
• All academic transcripts
• Evidence of language test scores
• Application emails
• Statement of Purpose to study in USA

Medicine Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for Bachelors 

The tuition fees for undergraduate programs in the USA range between 20,000 USD to 50,000 USD per year. The cost of studying in the USA can burn a hole into pockets. International students can hence look for viable scholarships for UG programs in USA. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: MD Programs

In most of the medical schools in the USA, the MD programs are available as dual degrees with an MBA or PhD degree integrated with it. These are usually 7 to 8 years programs. Here's a list of popular Master of Doctor (M.D.) programs offered as a single degree by the Medical Colleges in the USA:

Applicants must note that residency is an important aspect of pursuing MD from medical colleges in the USA. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: Eligibility for MD 

There are university-specific conditions that students need to meet. Here are the common requirements that every medical school in the USA expects of an international student: 

Academic requirements: Completed 4 years of bachelor’s program in Biology or related field of study. Students are also required to have a working knowledge of computers. Completion of one year of your previous degree in USA/Canada/UK is one of the important eligibility criteria for pursuing the program in some of the top medical colleges.

Entrance examination: Acceptance is provided only after clearing the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) with a minimum score of 519. Not more than 4 years old MCAT scores are considered for admission. GRE scores around 155-165 (average of verbal, quantitative, and writing).

Language Requirements: Language tests like TOEFL are primarily required for undergraduates who have passed out from institutions where the language of instruction is not English. Minimum scores of TOEFL (internet-based)-100/(computer-based)-250 to 300, Duolingo- 125.

Documents: Documents required for admission are as follows:

• Statement of purpose for MS
• Two letters of recommendation from the science department of the college attended by students
• CV with relevant work experience
• All academic transcripts
• Evidence of language tests
• MCAT scores
• GRE scorecard

However, prior to the third year of MD program students need to appear for USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination). Passing this examination will allow students to enter residency programs.

Indian students who wish to pursue medicine post completion of the degree in the USA. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for MD 

The tuition fees of master's programs in medicine in the US range from 24,000 USD to 61,000 USD per year. This is exclusive of the cost of living for international students in the country. To facilitate these aspects, students can look for scholarships available for international masters applicants as well.

Medicine Colleges in USA: Doctoral Programs

Doctoral programs are specifically designed to enhance the scope of knowledge for physician-scientists. With a majority of globally renowned universities in the USA, Ph.D. programs can be of an enormous boost to one’s career. 

For some institutions like New York University or Duke University, applicants have to take up a Ph.D. training program for 1 year before applying for a Ph.D. program. Here’s a peek into the available Ph.D. programs in medicine in the USA:

In the US, physicians aspiring for a career in research, can opt for PhD programs after a successful career as a medical practitioner. However, other options for dual degrees pertaining to MD-PhD are also available.

Medicine Colleges in USA: Eligibility for PhD

There are variations in the specific requirements for a Ph.D. applicant that any university in the USA may expect. For this, students have to visit their official websites for better comprehension. Despite this, some of the common entry requirements are stated below:

Academic requirements: Completed a master’s program from a recognized university in the USA with at least 85% marks.

Entrance Examination: Students are advised to submit GRE scores for entry into Ph.D. programs. There is no specific minimum score to be obtained.

Language Requirements: Students need to provide proof of taking language tests like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc. Most of the universities do not have any minimum requirements as such.

Documents: Documents required at the time of admission are as follows:

• CV with relevant skills and research experience (if any) 
• All academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation/reference
• Evidence of GRE scores
• Proofs of English language tests
• Statement of purpose

Medicine Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for PhD

The tuition fees for PhD programs range from 20,000 USD to 65,000 USD for international students in the USA. Also, the cost of living adds up. However, there are many scholarship programs for PhD international students as well. 

Medicine Colleges in USA: Scholarships Offered

As per the Fulbright Commission, USA universities offer more than 600 scholarships to international students. The scholarships are awarded based on their merit, need or certain extracurricular contributions. Here are a few of the popular scholarships for USA, that are awarded to international students for medicine studies:

Medicine Colleges in USA: Career Scope

In the USA, physicians and surgeons are of great demand who work for the government, academia, or even hospitals. The demand further increases with better qualifications and training. 

• Payoffs for physicians are the highest in the US with a median wage of 208,000 USD a year. 
• By 2029, the employment rate is projected to increase by 7%, a rate higher than any other occupation in the country.
• In 2019, Census Bureau estimated 65 million baby boomers in the US; the reason why healthcare services are in great demand in the country.
• Recent statistics have revealed that physicians or surgeons willing to practice in rural areas are more likely to expect more demand.
• With higher risks of heart diseases and cancer, doctors specializing in cardiology and oncology can have a booming career. 
• As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, maximum demand for medical scientists is in the treatments of cancer, AIDs, and Alzheimer’s. 

Below are some of the expected job roles and annual median salary for medical students in the US:

Aside from this, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has also estimated higher rates of employment rates in the period 2019-2029. The employment rates of psychiatrists will increase by 16%, general physicians by 10% and physicians and surgeons of any discipline by 8%. 

To sum up, Medical Colleges in the USA offer the highest standard of education in the world after the UK. The majority of USA Colleges making it to the 100 best medical colleges of the world is a testimony to this. Even though the program fees are quite expensive, scholarships and fellowships are in place to fix this hurdle. However, it is also a matter of realization that physicians and surgeons enjoy the highest paid jobs in the US.