Getting admitted to medical school is one of the toughest educational challenges students face. Many applicants want to get into the best school, but these institutions can only accommodate a limited number of students. Once you get into the school of your dreams, you face even more challenges related to the quality of teaching, the people around you, and the facilities and opportunities your school provides.
That is why it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the different options you have when choosing a medical school. Many students consider public medical schools because they can balance quality and cost well. Other students might apply to private institutions if they can afford them.
In Louisiana, New Orleans currently has two full LCME-accredited M.D. programs: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine. A planned Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine is in LCME candidate status, so it is not included in this list. One of the accredited schools is public, while the other is private, and both receive many applications each year. That is why it is best to know as much as possible about both schools before deciding which one you will apply to.
Top Medical Schools in New Orleans
1. Louisiana State University
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine was founded in 1931. It is the public LCME-accredited M.D. medical school in New Orleans, so competition for places in its medical programs can be high. The school provides many opportunities to students in research and training. Its curriculum uses large-group and small-group formats, including Team-Based Learning, small-group discussions, clinical skills laboratory sessions, simulation, and learning center facilities.
The M.D. degree at this medical school in New Orleans is completed over four years. Students complete a 21-month preclerkship phase that includes discipline-based, organ system-based, and longitudinal courses before entering the clerkship phase. The clerkship phase includes a Clerkship Preparation course, seven core clinical clerkships, and an elective for career planning. Senior students complete acting internships, a critical care course, and electives to prepare for residency. The school also offers combined degree programs, including M.D./MPH and M.D./Ph.D., for students who want to pair medical training with public health or research.
You can also study through other LSU Health New Orleans schools related to healthcare, including Dentistry, Nursing, and Public Health. Because the school is a public institution, its admissions criteria emphasize Louisiana applicants; non-Louisiana residents who are admitted pay out-of-state tuition, and international student applications are not accepted for the M.D. program. For 2026–2027, annual full-time School of Medicine tuition and fees are $36,230 for Louisiana residents and $67,224 for nonresidents.
2. Tulane University
If you are looking for a private medical school, Tulane University’s School of Medicine is one of the country’s oldest medical schools; its roots date to the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834. It offers training, research, and patient-care opportunities across many medical fields. Its centers and institutes include genetics, cancer, bleeding and clotting disorders, clinical research, simulation, neuroscience, and many other areas.
Getting admitted to this institution is difficult because thousands of students apply each year. Tulane received 13,814 AMCAS applications for the Class of 2029, which has 190 students. While the M.D. program at this medical school in New Orleans might be the flagship course of study, there are others you can also apply for.
These include combined degree programs such as M.D./Ph.D., M.D./MBA, M.D./MS in Bioethics and Medical Humanities, and M.D./MPH. Tulane also welcomes international applicants: the admissions process is the same for domestic and international applicants, and all applicants receive a full review regardless of citizenship or immigration status. If you are interested in studying medicine at Tulane University, the annual M.D. tuition and mandatory fees for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 total $78,640. This does not include books or optional costs such as housing, dining, health insurance premiums, parking permits, or required computer hardware.
If you live in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana and wish to study medicine, you can consider these two accredited M.D. schools despite their noticeable difference in tuition fees. Both types of institutions have pros and cons, so it is always a good idea to research both to decide which is better for you. Then, move on to the application procedures on each school’s website and apply as soon as possible.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in New Orleans was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, specifically in the U.S., check out our Study in the USA guide and the Available Programs for International Students!
