The United States has many respected universities and a wide range of academic pathways for students interested in medicine. However, “pre-med” is usually not a standalone major. It is a set of prerequisite courses, advising, clinical exposure, research, and other preparation that students complete before applying to medical school.
Medicine is a highly valued field in the United States because physicians are entrusted with diagnosing, treating, and helping patients maintain their health. Applying to top medical schools can be rigorous, so strong preparation during undergraduate study or a postbaccalaureate program is important.
Before applying to medical school, students usually complete required coursework in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, math, and the social sciences. Medical schools generally do not require or prefer one specific undergraduate major, so students should choose a major that fits their interests while meeting the prerequisite courses for the schools they plan to apply to.
Start today by learning about some of the best schools offering pre-med advising, pre-health pathways, or postbaccalaureate premedical programs in the USA. Here is a list of top pre-med options in the country.
Top Pre-Med Schools in the U.S.
1. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston. Students interested in medicine can use the university’s PreMed and PreHealth Advising Program, which supports undergraduate students and alumni preparing for health professional programs.
Northeastern also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical undergraduate certificate through its College of Professional Studies. The program is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and need to complete all or most basic premedical courses or improve their science GPA. The program can be taken full-time or part-time, is offered on ground, and does not meet F-1 visa requirements. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Northeastern lists the program cost at $560 per credit, with the catalog requiring at least eight courses and 30–64 semester hours; tuition and fees may change.
2. Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League institution founded in 1754. Columbia’s International Students and Scholars Office reported 13,729 enrolled international students in Fall 2025 and 16,859 total international students and scholars. Columbia’s medical school, now the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, was the first in the American Colonies to grant the MD degree, in 1770.
Columbia’s Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program is designed to help students fulfill medical school prerequisites. The curriculum includes traditional, part-time, accelerated, and 12-month sequencing options, and students are expected to gain at least 120 hours of health care experience. For 2025–2026, Columbia lists Postbac Premed tuition at $2,258 per point, with a flat-rate tuition charge of $36,128 per term for students registered for 16 or more points.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University does not have a pre-med major; students interested in health professions may major in any discipline while completing the coursework and experiences needed for medical school. Stanford’s pre-med advisors help undergraduate students and alumni with coursework planning, long-term goals, and options for gaining experience.
Stanford students can also explore health care through shadowing, clinical experience, volunteer work, and research. For example, the Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series gives eligible undergraduates the opportunity to shadow physicians at Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Stanford Medicine also lists the Stanford Summer Community College Premedical Program, which provides current community college students with exposure to medicine and health through topics such as health disparities, leadership, professional development, clinical exposure, and medical school application preparation.
4. Duke University
Duke University is among the top universities in the USA. In the 2026 U.S. News Best National Universities rankings, Duke was ranked No. 7. Students interested in medicine can prepare through Duke’s Office of Health Professions Advising.
Duke’s Health Professions Advising is available to all Duke undergraduates throughout their four years and after graduation. The office helps students tailor their academics to meet health professional school requirements, plan coursework, prepare for entrance exams, build applications, request letters of recommendation, and explore health-related experiences. Duke pre-health students come from many majors, including biology, chemistry, English, and history.
5. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas offers a pre-medical pathway through its Office of Health Professions. The pathway is intended for students preparing to apply to allopathic or osteopathic medical schools.
UNT notes that applicants to medical school must complete the necessary prerequisites for each school and that a bachelor’s degree is expected and strongly preferred. Medical schools do not require a specific undergraduate degree, and popular majors among UNT pre-medical students include biology, biochemistry, chemistry, psychology, integrative studies, and public health. Students should check the requirements of each medical school they plan to apply to and work with UNT’s Office of Health Professions to create a personalized pre-medical plan.
FAQs: Pre-Med Studies in the USA
Do Pre-Med Schools in the U.S. Accept International Students?
Some U.S. universities and pre-health pathways are open to international students, but eligibility depends on the institution, the program type, and the student’s visa situation. International students should confirm each university’s undergraduate admission rules, pre-health advising access, postbaccalaureate eligibility, and visa requirements before applying.
This is especially important for students who plan to apply to medical school in the United States after completing pre-med coursework. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, some U.S. medical schools accept international applicants, but it is not common. In 2025, 43 MD-granting schools indicated in MSAR that they accepted applications from international applicants.
Because policies vary widely, students should search for the school of interest and review the official admissions, pre-health advising, and visa information on that school’s website.
Pre-medical programs, advising offices, and postbaccalaureate pathways can help students prepare for medical school. In the United States, the best choice depends on the student’s academic background, citizenship or visa status, budget, and intended medical schools.
We hope this article on the best pre-med schools in the USA was informative. Feel free to visit our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students!
