Updated at: 03-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

To get the most out of their time in Philadelphia, medical students should enroll in one of the city’s top medical schools.

All it takes to become a successful physician is to attend an excellent medical school and put forth the necessary effort.

This article’s overarching goal is to inform the reader about the finest medical institutions in Philadelphia, both for locals and those from further afield.

We have provided you with an unambiguous look at the best medical schools available.

Finally, we’ll detail how much it costs to attend each medical school, both for international students and U.S. citizens interested in becoming doctors.

Tuition, admissions standards, required coursework, available majors, and overall reputation can vary widely between institutions.

Visit the school’s website listed directly beneath each description to learn if they offer the specific medical program you’re interested in.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s take a tour of the finest Philadelphia medical universities.

Here We Go!!!

Top Medical Schools In Philadelphia

Top medical schools in philadelphia

Perelman School Of Medicine

Perelman School Of Medicine

In the United States, the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania is both the oldest and one of the best.

US News & World Report consistently ranks Perelman among the top ten medical schools for research, and it was ranked ninth in the most recent report.

The MD Program at this school is a four-year, interdisciplinary curriculum with six modules that focus on the science of medicine, the technology and practice of medicine, and professionalism and humanism. PSOM students have about a year and a half to explore the options available to them from among the roughly 150 electives offered.

The Perelman School of Medicine’s Biomedical Graduate Studies program began in 1985. About 700 graduate students in the basic biomedical sciences call it their academic home at the University of Pennsylvania.

More than 600 professors from seven different Penn schools and affiliated institutions like the Wistar Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia make up BGS.

The school’s Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences can be earned through one of eight “graduate groups” within the department.

There are monetary and non-monetary incentives for academic achievement at the university.

Temple University School Of Medicine (Lewis Katz School Of Medicine)

In 1901, the first co-ed medical school in Pennsylvania was established at Temple University.

Its Philadelphia headquarters are truly remarkable. A state-of-the-art medical education and research facility, spanning 480,000 square feet and outfitted with cutting-edge classrooms, laboratories, and equipment. It features cutting-edge amenities like a 12,000-square-foot clinical skills and robotic simulation center, as well as open research areas and smart classrooms.

On October 13, 2015, the medical school at Temple University was formally dedicated as the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University offers more than just an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree; it also offers a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), an M.S. (Master of Science), and a Narrative Medicine Program in the biomedical sciences.

To eliminate HIV from human cells, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine achieved a major milestone in July 2014.

The standard time commitment for an MD degree is 4 years. Pre-clerkship training takes place in years 1 and 2, the foundational Clinical Clerkships are completed in year 3, and advanced Clinical Clerkships and electives are taken in year 4.

Scholarship opportunities for LKSOM students include the university’s own financial aid packages, federal loans (including direct unsubsidized and direct GradPLUS loans), and the LKSOM’s own Service Scholarships. FAFSA applicants will be considered for all available financial aid.

PCOM: Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

PCOM Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

PCOM was founded in 1890, making it one of the earliest medical institutions in the United States. Several of its medical facilities are located in Philadelphia, and it also runs a clinic providing osteopathic treatment in Suwanee, Georgia. Also, PCOM supports residency programs that provide medical education to recent graduates.

As an independent institution, it concentrates solely on postgraduate medical education.

Doctorates in osteopathic medicine (D.O. ), pharmacy (Pharm.D. ), physical therapy (D.P.T. ), and psychology (Psy.D.) are available here (fees vary by field of study).

School psychology, public health, organizational development and leadership, forensic medicine, biomedical sciences, and physician assistant studies are some of the other areas where advanced degrees can be earned.

The PCOM residency programs use a hospital network integration strategy. The total number of openings is flexible, depending on the goals and timelines of the respective program directors. There are the following components:

  • Clinics Focused on Treating Entire Families
  • Common Operation
  • Medicamento Interno
  • Neurosurgery
  • Neuromusculoskeletal Osteopathy
  • Ophthalmology
  • Procedures in Orthopedics
  • Otorhinolaryngology

The Center for Chronic Disorders in Aging (CCDA) was founded within the university. The organization’s goal is to help people living with age-related chronic diseases and disorders live better.

The CCDA achieves its goals through an interdisciplinary strategy that integrates basic and clinical studies of age-related chronic diseases and disorders.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

It is the seventh-oldest medical school in the United States that is located at Thomas Jefferson University. Although it merged with Philadelphia University in 2017, Drexel University has maintained its status as one of the best medical schools in the United States. One of the first hospitals associated with a school of medicine, the 125-bed facility opened in 1877 as part of the institution.

Jefferson University’s medical school was renamed the Sidney Kimmel Medical College in 2014, thanks to a $110 million donation from philanthropist Sidney Kimmel. The institution is committed to promoting health and wellness through education, research, and the development of novel treatment options, as well as through providing high-quality primary care and focusing on patient prevention.

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton

Starting in 2009, students could enroll in the four-year MD Granting Program at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Students are prioritized at Geisinger Commonwealth, and the hospital’s stance that the patient comes first is emphasized throughout. Located in beautiful Scranton, Commonwealth Medical University

The Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, Pennsylvania is a private, four-year institution with a total enrollment of 442. The college offers two different degrees. The only medical degree offered is by Commonwealth Medical College. It’s a private school in a relatively modest town.

Medical campuses are located in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Danville, and Sayre. The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine offers its students a choice between two different tracks.

First-year students, for instance, can participate in the family-centered Experience Program by being paired with a family coping with a serious or long-term health condition.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie

Formed in 1993, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is a four-year DO grant program.

In terms of private medical schools, their tuition is among the lowest in the country. Medical school graduates from LECOM have the option of completing their degrees in Erie, Greensburg, or Bradenton.

Students are also given the option of identifying their preferred learning style (traditional lecture, problem-based learning, or independent study).

This school has a three-year curriculum specifically designed to train primary care physicians. Additionally, among the best five primary care medical schools in the United States, LECOM stands out.

Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University is a private institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school’s original iteration began in 1824, and in 2017 it merged with Philadelphia University.

Philadelphia-based Medical students at Thomas Jefferson University can receive clinical training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals thanks to a partnership between the two institutions. One can choose from a wide variety of medical specialties, including pediatrics, dermatology, and cancer biology.

Students interested in conducting in-depth research have the option of enrolling in a four-year research program at the College, while those with a more limited time commitment have the option of participating in research-focused summer programs. Students at this school can complete their undergraduate and medical school educations in as little as six or seven years thanks to the institution’s accelerated curriculum.

Center for Health Sciences at Penn State Milton S. Hershey

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center should be on your shortlist of Philadelphia’s top medical schools.

Over 500 resident physicians in various medical fields are educated each year at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

They also provide advanced degrees, CEUs, and a nursing degree program.

Annually, the federal government and private organizations donate over $100 million to this university in the form of grants and scholarships.

Lewis Katz School of Medicine

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is the next best medical school in Philadelphia.

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is a division of the main university.

In Philadelphia, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine is one of the few options for earning an M.D.

Courses leading to a PhD are included.

Although most medical courses are available at LKSOM, biomedical sciences are given greater priority.

Also, their histories in both research and healthcare have earned them widespread renown.

In 2014, medical researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine gained widespread recognition for their work on eradicating HIV from human tissue.

Bear in mind that the cornerstone and fundamentals of basic and clinical science are emphasized in LKSOM’s medical curriculum.

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees are conferred upon LKSOM grads.

Since then, it has grown to become one of Philadelphia’s most prestigious medical institutions.

Drexel University College of Medicine

Drexel University College of Medicine

Drexel University’s medical school, the College of Medicine, has been around since 1848. An earlier college of homeopathy and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania merged to form the foundation for the modern version of this private medical institution.

In the United States, it has received more applications than any other medical school. Drexel University’s medical school is ranked #83 for research by U.S. News & World Report. This means it is among the top medical schools in the country, not just in Philadelphia.

The educational model utilized by the College of Medicine at Drexel University is based on a simple pass/fail system. The university’s medical program has recently adopted a new curriculum, titled Foundations and Frontiers. Foundations & Frontiers is a curriculum created to help future doctors adjust to the ever-changing healthcare environment. Knowledge of population health, health informatics, and health care systems and financing are all part of the Foundations and Frontiers curriculum.

The curriculum is designed to teach students both the science and practice of medicine.

Drexel University’s medical school has a 7% acceptance rate. Acceptance into the school requires a cumulative GPA of 3.76 or higher from each applicant. The in-state and out-of-state tuition rates are the same, at $59,096.

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education recognizes the College of Medicine as a quality provider of medical education.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Medical School at the University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh’s medical school has been producing doctors since its first class graduated in 1886. The University of Pittsburgh argues that medical care should be more person-centered and less mechanical.

At Pitt, students split their time evenly between lectures (33%), small groups (33%), and other forms of instruction (33%), such as independent study (33%), online courses (33%), and experiential learning (33%).

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

It is generally agreed that the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, which is a part of Penn State University, is among the best medical schools in Pennsylvania.

In addition to its graduate programs, Penn State Milton provides education to more than 500 medical residents each year. In addition to offering a wide range of nursing programs and degrees, they also offer continuing education programs. The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center routinely receives more than $100 million in grants and awards from public and private organizations.

FAQs

How difficult is it to get into medical school in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is widely recognized as home to some of the best medical schools in the country, making the city’s medical school admissions process among the most competitive in the world. It also has one of the country’s lowest acceptance rates, making it highly selective. Among medical schools, Perelman’s acceptance rate is among the lowest at 4%.

What Degree Do the Top Medical Schools in Philadelphia Confer?

Nearly all medical schools in Philadelphia award an MD degree to their top students.

Some universities, however, confer the DO degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).

However, there are medical schools that offer combined bachelor’s/medical degree programs.

Conclusion

If you want the best possible education in medicine, you should attend the top schools available anywhere in the world.

If you’ve decided to spend a year or more studying in the United States, Philadelphia is an excellent choice, and the above guide will give you a glimpse into the finest medical institutions in the city.

I trust that you found this list of the best medical schools in Philadelphia to be informative.