collageTo gather the information that was required to rank each premed school, we used the school’s websites whenever possible. In any instance where two or more schools would have tied for a spot in this Top 20 Pre-Med Colleges ranking, we utilized the alphabetical ordering of their names to break that tie. We chose these two ranking criteria, freshman retention, and graduation rates, because when both rates are taken into account, they help to paint an accurate picture of a school’s overall performance. We gather our information from reputable sources to ensure accuracy; however, due to incomplete data, there are some schools that may not be represented here.
To qualify to be included in this ranking, schools must not be for-profit institutions; must be based in the United States; must be fully and properly accredited. Additionally, we’d like to note that no premed school was given any preferential treatment and the methodology stated will allow anyone else to draw the same conclusion from the data.
what is the best colleges for pre med
Choosing the best affordable Bachelor’s in Pre-Med degree programs can keep your dream of medical school alive by minimizing the cost of your three to six undergraduate years. Pre-professional medicine tracks put together the right courses to impress med school admission committees. Earning an affordable degree in pre-med will ensure you have enough money left to pursue the more than 100 medical specialties from neurosurgery to psychiatry requiring an M.D./D.O.
In 2018, the Kaiser Family Foundation counted 25,955 students at the nation’s 154 accredited medical schools. Becoming a doctor comes with a hefty average annual price tag of $32,495 at public and $52,515 at private schools. The Association of American Medical Colleges says 76 percent of physicians have median debt of $200,000 apiece. Despite this, enrollment increased 31 percent at allopathic and 52 percent at osteopathic schools from 2002 to 2019. Passionate caregivers are eager to join America’s nearly 1.1 million well-paid medical doctors. Valuable pre-med degree majors pave the pathway toward rewarding healthcare careers saving patient lives.
Lehman College offers a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences that is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program offers courses in genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, among others. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research projects and internships to gain hands-on experience in the field.
The college has a strong focus on preparing students for careers in the health professions, including medicine. The pre-medical advising program at Lehman College provides students with guidance on course selection, extracurricular activities, and the medical school application process. The college also offers resources such as mock interviews and workshops to help students prepare for the MCAT and medical school admissions.
Freshman Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Final Score: 132/200
Overall, Lehman College provides a strong academic foundation for pre-medical students, with a comprehensive curriculum and dedicated pre-medical advising program. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience through research and internships, and receive guidance and support throughout the medical school application process.
best affordable colleges for pre med
1. University of Florida
With an in-state tuition of $6,380, University of Florida is one of the most affordable pre med colleges in the country. It’s also ranked number one by US News & World Report.
The school offers a wide variety of undergraduate degrees including psychology and neuroscience, with specialties like pediatric neurophysiology, developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience. As far as graduate programs go, there are several master’s degrees offered in medical education or social work along with doctoral programs such as physical therapy or pharmacy sciences. The student to faculty ratio at this university is 18:1, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for one-on-one interactions with professors during your time here!
2. Michigan State University
Michigan State University is ranked #1 in affordability by the U.S. News and World Report. The college has a high-level research program, but its tuition is fairly low, even for out-of-state students like you. Here are some more reasons why we think Michigan State University will be a great fit for you:
- MSU offers need-based financial aid to all students who qualify, including international students.
- The average class size at this public university is 20 students per lecture, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and network with professors outside the classroom setting as well!
3. University of Washington
University of Washington
The University of Washington is an in-state public university that offers a variety of pre med programs for students to choose from. Over 10,000 undergraduate students attend the school on any given year, but if you’re looking for a smaller environment, you can choose one of many smaller schools within the university system instead. The average class size is 30 students (for reference: there are 25 people in a lecture hall at my school). Each student has access to dedicated advising and tutoring centers so they can make sure they’re on track with their classes. The acceptance rate here is 60%, meaning only 40% of applicants get accepted into this institution every year. Tuition costs $9,858 per year plus another $3,738 housing costs—so total cost will be around $13K annually if paying in-state tuition rates—or about $23K annually if paying out-of-state tuition rates (which I would recommend doing since it’s way more affordable). This college has an ROI rate of 78% which means it will likely pay off what’s invested over time through the income generated after graduation!
4. Purdue University
Purdue University is a large public university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was founded in 1869 as the main campus of the Purdue University system and currently has an enrollment of about 42,000 students.
Even though Purdue is home to several top-notch engineering programs (the College of Engineering was ranked #10 by U.S. News & World Report), it also offers programs that are useful to pre-medical students, including biology and chemistry majors as well as pre-medicine minors. The university has strong research ties with nearby Indiana University Medical Center and School of Medicine—both located just 10 minutes away—and several other medical centers throughout the state.
Purdue also has a large international student population; more than 3% of its undergraduate population comes from over 100 different countries around the world, including China, India and Nigeria—which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for cultural exchange if you’re interested in studying abroad during your undergraduate years at Purdue!
5. Texas A&M University
As one of the most affordable pre med schools, Texas A&M University is a great choice for students who want to study on an affordable campus.
The in-state tuition at Texas A&M is $10,000 per year. If you’re not a Texas resident, you can expect to pay $26,700 annually. That’s still pretty cheap when compared to other pre med schools!
The student-to-faculty ratio of 22:1 ensures that you will receive personalized attention from your professors and be able to form close bonds with them during your time at this school. The average SAT score of 1195 and ACT score of 27 also show that students here are fairly well prepared for college studies.
6. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is a public university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. IUPUI offers several different pre-med programs through their College of Health and Human Services, including a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. This program will prepare students for careers as medical laboratory technologists and clinical laboratory scientists.
Students can earn their undergraduate degree while exploring the possibilities of medical research through IUPUI’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO). CURO provides many resources to help students succeed on their path to becoming doctors, including opportunities to work with faculty members on projects related to neuroscience and other aspects of medicine.
The student-to-faculty ratio at IUPUI is 14:1; this means that there are about 15 students for every 1 faculty member or teaching assistant at the school. Tuition costs $926 per credit hour or $3,787 per semester without financial aid from scholarships or grants provided by the government or private sources like banks or employers (which may require repayment after graduation).
7. Brigham Young University
- Brigham Young University is ranked #1 in best colleges for pre med, and it’s easy to see why. The tuition and fees are $5,790, and the acceptance rate is 56%.
- BYU has a student to faculty ratio of 19:1.
- The diverse course offerings at this university include but are not limited to anatomy, medical terminology, biochemistry and physiology classes.
8. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
The University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a public research university founded in 1889. It is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the state, and it is also considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in the Southwest region of the United States. This top-tier research university offers students numerous degree programs across its five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Architecture & Planning, Engineering (including biomedical engineering), Health Professions & Clinical Sciences (including pharmacy), and Law; as well as graduate degrees through its School of Medicine (which partners with University Medical Center) and School of Nursing.
9. Ohio State University-Main Campus
Ohio State University-Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio. It has an acceptance rate of 52.5%, an average GPA of 3.87 and an average MCAT score of 33.5. In-state tuition costs $10,037 per year while out-of-state tuition costs $25,857 per year.
10. Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University offers a pre-medicine major that provides students with the background and preparation they need to succeed in medical school. The curriculum includes courses in human anatomy, biology, chemistry and physics. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects through VCU’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies or at other universities or hospitals.
best pre med schools
There are several affordable pre med colleges that offer great student to faculty ratios, high-level research opportunities and diverse course offerings.
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a student to faculty ratio of 15:1 – this school offers many premed course options as well as research opportunities.
- Texas A&M International University has a student to faculty ratio of 19:1 – they offer the Pre-Health Professions Program which is designed for students interested in medical schools or health care professions
1. Grand Canyon University
PHOENIX, AZ
Grand Canyon University starts the top 40 affordable colleges for pre-med degree studies with a universal $17,050 price and 20:1 student-faculty ratio. At the Natural Sciences Building, the College of Science, Engineering & Technology delivers a low-cost BS in Biology with a Pre-Medicine Emphasis each 15-week semester for future health practitioners. Advised by Dr. Randy Boyles, the inexpensive, 120-credit, HLC-accredited sequence accepts up to 90 transfer credits to quicken Phoenix courses like Organic Chemistry and Cellular Biology. Lopes might also intern at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, earn the $10,000 Servant Leadership Scholarship, research in the STEM Center, and do Honduras missions.
DEGREE OPTIONS:
- BS in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine
- In-State Tuition: $17,050
- Out-of-State Tuition: $17,050
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
- Graduation Rate: 37 percent
2. Averett University
Averett University claimed 39th place among the AS Staff’s affordable colleges for pre-med degree programs with $34,520 tuition and 42 percent six-year graduation. At Frith Hall, the School of Arts & Sciences grants a top-value B.S. in Biological and Physical Science for six emphases, such as Medical Technology or Radiologic Technology. Chaired by Dr. Jimmy Turner III, the economical, 120-credit, SACS-accredited plan blends Baptist courses like Human Anatomy with year-long clinical practicum at Augusta Health. Cougars can also enter the Honors Program, study abroad in Seville, receive the $10,000 Horizon Scholarship, join Beta Beta Beta, and attend the 1859 Lecture Series.
DEGREE OPTIONS:
- BS in Biological and Physical Science
- In-State Tuition: $34,520
- Out-of-State Tuition: $34,520
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
3. University of Findlay
The University of Findlay houses Affordable Schools’ 38th best low-cost pre-med degree options with a $34,360 annual value and 16:1 student-faculty ratio. At the Davis Street Building, the College of Sciences has a best-value Pre-Medicine Track that makes B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Chemistry majors two times more likely to enter med school. Headed by Dr. Bethany Henderson-Dean, the inexpensive, 124-credit, HLC-accredited paths require minimum 2.5 GPAs to begin pre-med courses like Vertebrate Physiology and Bioinformatics. Oilers may also join Pre-Medicine Club, celebrate Ohio Medical Education Day, intern at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, conduct Human Genetics Lab projects, and serve with Relay for Life.
DEGREE OPTIONS:
- Bachelor of Science in Biology: Pre-Medicine
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: Pre-Medicine
- In-State Tuition: $34,360
- Out-of-State Tuition: $34,360
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Graduation Rate: 61 percent
4. Concordia University-Ann Arbor
Concordia University-Ann Arbor scored the 37th spot among affordable colleges for pre-med degree programs with a $29,290 annual rate and 39 percent completion. At the Science Building, the Department of Life & Earth Sciences confers a low-cost B.S. in Biomedical Sciences for three specializations: Human Biology, Pre-Medical, or Clinical Research. Organized by Dr. Elizabeth Peckham, the top-value 126-credit, HLC-accredited curriculum applies Lutheran principles in six- or 12-week courses from Bioethical Dilemmas to Immunology for MCAT prep. Cardinals could also pursue the 2+2 Washtenaw Community College track, intern with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, join Circle K, and semester in Thailand.
DEGREE OPTIONS:
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science
- In-State Tuition: $29,290
- Out-of-State Tuition: $29,290
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
- Graduation Rate: 39 percent
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