Florida has grown into one of the strongest destinations for medical training in the country, thanks to its mix of major research universities, established private medical schools, and a network of fast-growing teaching hospitals.
The state’s population continues to rise at one of the fastest rates in the nation, and this growth increases the demand for qualified doctors, bigger clinical networks, and stronger medical education systems. Because of this, students in Florida train in busy hospitals, community clinics, and research centers where they gain real, hands-on experience.
Florida’s medical education scene includes several accredited MD and DO schools spread across the state. These programs benefit from strong university, hospital partnerships, active research institutes, and expanding residency positions that give students more exposure and better career pathways.
Our ranking of the top medical schools in Florida is based on trusted national research and primary care evaluations, residency match outcomes, student experience, learning environments, facilities, and the strength of hospital partnerships. We also relied on direct school data and verified reports to ensure accuracy.
Best Medical Schools in Florida
1. USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (University of South Florida)
USF’s medical school began in 1971 and has grown into a major research-intensive institution. Their teaching hospital partners, including Tampa General Hospital and other affiliated centers, provide real clinical exposure.
The current strength lies in research and academic excellence. In 2025, they were named the only Florida school in the top “Tier 1” for research by U.S. News & World Report. Their most recent entering class had a median GPA of 3.95 and MCAT of 520, strong numbers that reflect high student quality.
They also offer a broad range of degrees beyond MD: master’s and PhD in biomedical sciences, allied health and rehabilitation sciences, and physician assistant tracks. Their MD/PhD program attempts to blend deep science with clinical training for those interested in research medicine.
2. University of Florida College of Medicine (UF)
UF’s College of Medicine offers a large, comprehensive medical education program. They run MD, PA (physician assistant), master’s, and PhD tracks. Their teaching network includes many hospitals; their Jacksonville campus serves as a major clinical rotation site for students.
UF stresses patient-centered care, humanism, and interprofessional teamwork. They also invest in innovation, for example, a recent project combines data science and obstetrics to improve maternal care.
On the research side, UF offers many opportunities for translating lab discoveries into patient care. Their Department of Medicine and associated hospitals have a tradition of clinical excellence.
3. University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine (Miller School)
Miller School was Florida’s first medical school, founded in 1952, and has grown into a large institution with 1,700+ faculty, dozens of departments, and research centers.
They are known for strong research funding (they get more NIH research dollars than any other medical school in Florida) and for cutting-edge work in cancer, genomics, immune therapies, ophthalmology, and more. Their research arms include a nationally recognized eye institute, cancer center, and other specialty facilities.
Education-wise, their M.D. program includes dual-degree tracks and emphasizes translating research into care. Graduates match into a variety of specialties at top hospitals across the US.
Miller School is best if you want to be at a major institution with top research, broad clinical specialties, strong affiliation for residency placement, and exposure to high-complexity care environments in a metropolitan area.
4. Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine (FAU Schmidt College of Medicine)
This is one of Florida’s newer medical schools, founded in 2011, first class in 2011. Despite its youth, FAU’s medical school has grown quickly and works with more than 300 community organizations across a wide region to deliver clinical service and community-oriented care.
They offer MD, MD/PhD, MD/MBA (and other dual degrees), plus MS and PhD tracks in biomedical and integrative biological sciences. Their curriculum appears flexible and oriented to modern medicine, including opportunities in personalized medicine, genomics, and population health.
Residency and fellowship offerings cover many major specialties: internal medicine, surgery, neurology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and more.
5. Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (FIU Medicine)
FIU Medicine was established in 2006, first class in 2009, and got full accreditation for its MD program by 2013. They emphasize social accountability: their curriculum integrates medical science with community health, social determinants, and underserved community service. Their outreach program, Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program, gives students early hands-on exposure to real community health needs.
FIU Medicine offers MD, PA (Physician Assistant) studies, PhD, and biomedical sciences — plus a variety of residency and fellowship tracks through partner hospitals. They are also known for valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion; their admissions and curriculum are built to support those goals.
6. University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF College of Medicine)
UCF’s College of Medicine is younger compared to some older institutions, but it offers a modern, research-based medical education program combining MD, MS, PhD, and biomedical science tracks.
The school invests in varied research, including aerospace medicine, cancer science, infectious disease, and public health research. Their faculty includes clinicians, educators, and researchers, giving students a chance to learn from people at different levels of medicine and science.
UCF promotes a patient-first, compassionate approach to care. The program description highlights a commitment to training “skilled, compassionate doctors” via a curriculum blending research and hands-on care.
Given its modern facilities, broad research emphasis, and focus on well-rounded training, UCF might appeal if you like flexibility, research, and a newer-school environment rather than a long-established tradition.
7. Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD)
NSU’s MD program prides itself on small class sizes, close faculty mentoring, early clinical exposure, and strong community-oriented medical education. Students get involved early in clinical experiences, research, and service-learning projects to build a strong foundation in patient-centered care.
Research opportunities include population health, cancer therapeutics, and neuroscience, giving students a chance to engage meaningfully beyond the classroom.
Residency placement for NSU graduates in recent years has been strong: 100% matched into various specialties across many states in the U.S., and over half of them stayed within Florida.
Admission Requirements & Competitiveness
Getting into a medical school in Florida is tough; you need strong stats and good prep. For example, at the University of South Florida College of Medicine (USF), recent data show a median GPA of about 3.96 and a median MCAT score of 520 for admitted students.
At the University of Florida College of Medicine (UF), newly admitted students had an average MCAT of around 516 and a GPA of around 3.92.
Admission is competitive: for the 2025-2026 cycle, UF admitted about 136 students out of roughly 5,600 applicants, which is an acceptance rate near 2.4%. USF shows similar competitiveness: of over 5,600 applicants, only 131 matriculated, acceptance rate ~2.31%.
For Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (FIU), data show average admitted MCAT ~511, average GPA ~3.90, and admitted class size ~120 out of more than 6,000 applicants, giving an acceptance rate of nearly 2.0%.
Cost of Medical School in Florida
Cost matters, and it varies with residency status and school. At USF, for the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition and fees are US$33,726 for Florida residents and US$57,036 for non-residents. Over four years, that totals roughly US$279,158 for residents and US$363,918 for non-residents (tuition only).
For UF College of Medicine, 2025-2026 tuition is about US$37,130 for in-state and US$49,390 for out-of-state students. Their published “cost of attendance” for the first year (off-campus living) shows tuition + fees + room/board + books + personal costs amounting to roughly US$31,219 (fall and spring combined) for in-state students.
That means students must budget beyond tuition: housing, food, transport, supplies, personal expenses — especially if living off campus. At UF, these non-tuition costs already add tens of thousands per year.
For FIU, tuition/fees are ~US$38,695 for Florida residents and US$73,193 for out-of-state (2025-2026) for their MD program. So if you study medicine in Florida, plan carefully: the total tuition cost. Living costs and related expenses can double the burden.
Residency Match & Outcome
A major reason students pick Florida medical schools is their real-world training and match outcomes after graduation. For example, FIU reports that their most recent class had a 100% match rate across U.S. residency programs.
Schools like UF and USF, with long-established hospital networks, typically place graduates into a wide range of specialties. For UF, many students match into internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and other high-demand fields; about half of matriculants stay in Florida for residency.
The volume of clinical sites and variety of hospitals across Florida give students a good shot at competitive residency placements. Also, graduates from Florida schools often blend well into both state-based and national residency programs, increasing flexibility.
If you care about not just med school but also what comes after, Florida schools give strong chances, and many match results prove that their training prepares you well for residency, even in demanding specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Florida medical schools competitive?
Yes. Many have acceptance rates around 2–3%. Strong GPAs (≈ 3.9+) and MCATs (≈ 515+) are common among admitted students.
Do Florida medical schools accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes. Many do. Non-residents can apply, though tuition and competition are steeper.
What MCAT score is considered safe for Florida medical schools?
A score around 515–520 gives a decent chance. 520+ improves competitiveness.
How long does it take to become a doctor in Florida?
Four years of medical school, then 3–7 years of residency depending on specialty.
How to get into medical school in Florida?
Strong grades, high MCAT, good clinical or volunteer experience, and clear motivation.