New York is home to a significant number of medical schools, making it a hub for medical education and research. These institutions provide diverse opportunities for aspiring physicians to receive training and pursue their careers. With a wide range of programs and specialties, New York’s medical schools attract students from around the world and contribute to the state’s reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation and excellence.
In this article on the 10 Best Medical Schools in New York, we are going to explore these amazing schools. We will learn about what makes each one special and why students from all over the world want to study there. So, let’s dive in and find out what makes New York’s medical schools stand out.
10 Best Medical Schools in New York
1. Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Like Stony Brook, the University of Buffalo stands as one of New York’s two public medical schools to achieve a U.S. News research ranking. With the advantage of affordable in-state tuition and Buffalo’s cost-effective living expenses, students, particularly New York residents, can expect ample opportunities for robust research endeavors and diverse clinical training experiences without breaking the bank.
Noteworthy features at Buffalo include a modern medical school facility, early clinical exposure and guidance from community-based physicians starting in the first year, a Global Medicine Program offering international opportunities, and a track focusing on medical leadership.
2. SUNY Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
Located in Syracuse, SUNY Upstate has a mission focused on enhancing the health of the communities it serves, particularly in Central New York. This mission aligns with initiatives like the Rural Medicine Scholars Program, aimed at addressing the scarcity of physicians in rural areas of the region.
Students at SUNY Upstate benefit from access to University Hospital, the sole academic medical center, and the Level 1 trauma center in the area. Additionally, SUNY Upstate operates a second campus in Binghamton, where students can experience more direct patient interaction and mentorship in a smaller, community-based environment; a quarter of each class relocates to the Binghamton campus starting in the third year.
3. New York Medical College
New York Medical College situated in suburban Westchester County was founded in 1860. This college enrolls the largest incoming class among allopathic medical schools in New York. NYMC places a strong emphasis on a humanistic and inclusive approach, evident in students’ early involvement in community-based primary care and the school’s historical commitment to admitting women and racial minorities since the 1860s.
NYMC offers a pass/fail curriculum and facilitates exchange programs with medical schools in Japan, Korea, Hungary, and Israel. The campus is shared with Westchester Medical Center and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, while the Metropolitan Hospital Center in Harlem serves as one of NYMC’s primary rotation sites, providing students with diverse clinical experiences.
4. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
Being the sole academic medical center in culturally diverse Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate provides students with exceptional clinical training through its own University Hospital of Brooklyn and numerous clinical affiliates. The institution prioritizes tackling urban-specific medical challenges and serving underserved populations.
SUNY Downstate’s curriculum offers integrated pathways, including options like global health, social determinants of health, and medical education. Students benefit from a pass/fail grading system, optional lectures, and early clinical immersion.
Additionally, as a public medical school, SUNY Downstate extends in-state tuition rates to New York residents.
5. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, located on Long Island, is committed to patient-centered healthcare with a focus on serving diverse populations in urban, rural, and global settings. The institution operates a newer campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and applicants have the option to be considered for both locations. NYITCOM implements a technology-integrated curriculum featuring synchronized lectures across campuses, telemedicine, and robotics. Students benefit from a pass/fail grading system and optional, on-demand lectures.
However, NYITCOM has faced criticism in recent years due to its large annual intake of approximately 320 students, a relatively high attrition rate exceeding 10 percent, and the loss of several hospital affiliations amidst increased competition from other medical schools in the New York City area.
6. NYU Long Island School of Medicine
In 2018, NYU made headlines by announcing free tuition for all accepted students, a move that significantly boosted its already competitive standing and led to a nearly 50 percent surge in applications. Presently ranked among the top five medical schools, NYU is renowned for both its exceptional clinical training and groundbreaking research endeavors. The institution features an innovative and adaptable curriculum, characterized by early exposure to clinical practice, interdisciplinary learning, and personalized exploration through scholarly concentrations and intensive electives known as “selective.”
NYU students benefit from diverse clinical experiences at the NYU Langone Health complex as well as major affiliate hospitals such as Bellevue Hospital and the Manhattan VA Hospital. Alongside its traditional four-year MD program, NYU offers a unique three-year accelerated MD track, providing students with early, conditional acceptance to NYU residency programs.
7. Weill Cornell Medical College
Weill Cornell Medical College shares similarities with Columbia, boasting prestigious rankings, Ivy League status, and comprehensive financial aid programs without student debt. What sets Cornell apart is its innovative curriculum, which prioritizes interactive learning, self-directed exploration, and small group discussions over traditional lectures. Moreover, Cornell distinguishes itself with its strong focus on global health, offering students extensive opportunities for clinical practice and research across 62 countries.
Situated alongside esteemed medical institutions like New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell provides unparalleled research prospects and exposure to a diverse patient base. Additionally, students benefit from involvement in student-operated clinics, further enhancing their clinical experience.
8. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Icahn School of Medicine strives to educate forward-thinking physicians and scientists who will revolutionize medicine through both innovation and activism. This commitment to instigating change is reflected in its educational approach, which blends the esteemed traditions of medicine with the adaptive mindset of a startup.
Icahn takes pride in its pass/fail curriculum, epitomized by its early assurance program, FlexMed. This flexible structure allows students to pursue year-long scholarly projects and incorporates “Flex Time” throughout all four years for personalized learning, exploration, and leadership cultivation.
Notably, Icahn stands out as one of the few medical schools in the United States integrated within a hospital, providing its students with exceptional clinical training and abundant research prospects.
9. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
The University of Rochester Medical Center offers a distinctive “Double Helix” curriculum, merging biopsychosocial education with a humanities-centered approach, earning it the moniker “Liberal Arts School of Medicine.” With a cohort size of 105, students at Rochester receive early clinical exposure.
Furthermore, they have the opportunity to specialize in pathways like medical humanities, bioethics, and LatinX health, facilitating their exposure to varied patient demographics and readiness to serve underprivileged communities in Upstate New York.
10. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Situated in the Bronx, Albert Einstein College of Medicine offers students ample opportunities to gain hands-on clinical experience while serving a diverse and underserved patient demographic. The institution places a strong emphasis on community engagement and population health within its longitudinal curriculum.
Notably, Einstein employs a pass/fail grading system and provides optional recorded lectures, fostering a supportive learning environment. Complementing these features is the school’s robust research program, requiring all students to complete a scholarly paper under mentor guidance before graduation.
How many medical schools are there in New York?
New York leads the United States in the number of medical schools, with approximately 18 institutions offering M.D. programs. This surpasses California (16), Texas (15), and Florida (10). The abundance of medical schools in New York provides a rich array of educational options for aspiring physicians, catering to diverse interests and strengths. Several of these institutions enjoy global recognition for their prestige and emphasis on research.
How Much Does it Cost to Attend Medical School in New York?
The cost of attending medical school in New York varies depending on factors such as whether the institution is public or private, residency status, and additional expenses. In-state tuition for public medical schools typically ranges from around $30,000 to $50,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition can be higher, ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 annually. Private medical schools generally have higher tuition costs, typically ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 per year.
Apart from tuition, students should budget for fees, living expenses, books, supplies, and other miscellaneous costs. Financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are available to help students manage expenses.
How Long is Medical School in New York?
In New York, medical school usually lasts four years. The first two years focus on learning in classrooms about the basic sciences like how the body works and what causes diseases. The next two years are spent working in hospitals and clinics, learning directly from doctors. After finishing medical school, doctors usually spend a few more years in a specialized training program called a residency before they can start practicing medicine on their own.
Which State has the Most Medical Schools?
New York has the most medical schools among all the states in the United States.