Detroit is Michigan’s largest city and a vibrant hub for art, design, music, and university life. The area includes several medical education options, including Wayne State University, a Detroit-based public research university with medical and law schools. Medical schools in and near Detroit work closely with communities, clinics, and hospitals, giving students opportunities to build clinical skills and understand their future careers through hands-on experience.
The University of Michigan Medical School is located in Ann Arbor, while Michigan State University has medical education sites across Michigan, including Detroit and Southeast Michigan. The cost of living in Detroit varies by neighborhood, and students should expect to spend more in central areas than in many outer neighborhoods. As a student at one of the medical schools listed below, you may be able to find university or nearby private housing options, and financial aid may help cover eligible living expenses.
This article lists some of the medical schools in Detroit and neighboring areas, so please read on to learn more!
Top Medical Schools in Detroit
1. Wayne State University
The School of Medicine at Wayne State University provides hands-on clinical education in the heart of Detroit. It has more than 2,000 full-time and volunteer faculty members and prepares students for clinical practice, research, and service in urban communities.
To apply for the M.D. program, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, including medical school prerequisites, and must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, Canadian citizen, or a student who has completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at Wayne State University, regardless of citizenship. Applicants must also meet the school’s premedical coursework and admissions requirements.
The medical program is structured in three phases across four years: an 18-month Pre-Clerkship phase, a 12-month Clerkship phase, and a 14-month Post-Clerkship phase. Applications are typically submitted the year before expected enrollment. For 2026–2027, annual flat-rate tuition is $45,305 for Michigan residents and $73,895 for nonresidents, plus a $1,202 student support fee.
2. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michigan State University‘s College of Osteopathic Medicine operates at three sites: East Lansing, Detroit Medical Center, and Macomb University Center. Since 2009, the college has matriculated about 300 medical students each year across these sites.
The college’s mission is to provide osteopathic, student-centered graduate and medical education and research while supporting community access to patient-centered care. If you enroll here for osteopathic medical education, you can complete your first two years at one of the three sites mentioned above. The college also offers community outreach and other learning opportunities.
For 2025–2026, MSU lists resident Human and Osteopathic Medicine tuition at $16,681 per Fall/Spring semester. Nonresident Osteopathic Medicine tuition for students entering in 2020 or later is $23,045 per Fall/Spring semester. Financial aid options are available for eligible students.
3. Oakland University
The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine was formed through a partnership between Oakland University and Beaumont Health, now Corewell Health. Oakland University is one of 15 public universities in Michigan and has nearly 20,000 students enrolled in its programs.
OUWB students train at three Corewell Health hospitals in Southeast Michigan: Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, and Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital.
This medical school near Detroit is a privately funded medical school at a public university. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for admission. For 2026–2027, OUWB lists full-time tuition at $63,636, charged as $31,818 in the fall semester and $31,818 in the winter semester. Students can seek financial aid through the school or other eligible sources.
4. University of Michigan
Located in Ann Arbor, MI, about 45 minutes outside of Detroit, the Michigan Medicine is the university’s academic medical center. Its mission is to transform health through bold and innovative education, discovery, and service. It has several initiatives in ethics, community involvement, and global engagement.
The institution offers the traditional M.D. program, master’s programs, Ph.D. programs, postdoctoral programs, and the dual-degree M.D./Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program. Current facts and figures list 775 medical students, 344 master’s students, 759 Ph.D. students, and 569 postdoctoral fellows, with 105 students in the Medical Scientist Training Program.
For 2025–2026, 12-month M.D. tuition and fees are $58,662 for Michigan residents and $79,500 for nonresidents. For the 8-month Branch 2 period, tuition and fees are $39,108 for residents and $53,000 for nonresidents. Students should review the current cost-of-attendance budget when planning for housing, transportation, books, and other expenses.
5. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Michigan State University‘s College of Human Medicine offers medical training through a community-based model with affiliations across local hospitals, clinics, and health care providers. Its eight community campuses are Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Midland Regional, Southeast Michigan, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula Region.
Each clinical campus is aligned with area hospitals and outpatient facilities that help create an educational environment for medical students. This institution offers degree programs including M.D., MPH, and dual-degree programs such as M.D./Ph.D. and M.D./MBA. To apply to the College of Human Medicine, applicants must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, meet degree and prerequisite requirements, and have reliable transportation upon matriculation. Financial aid is usually available depending on eligibility and financial need.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in Detroit
What is the Cheapest Medical School in Detroit, Michigan?
Costs vary by residency status, program, and year of study, so students should compare each school’s current cost-of-attendance page. For Michigan residents, the lowest listed medical tuition among the schools above is currently at Michigan State University: Human and Osteopathic Medicine tuition is $16,681 per Fall/Spring semester for 2025–2026. Wayne State University’s School of Medicine lists 2026–2027 annual flat-rate resident tuition at $45,305, while Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine lists 2026–2027 tuition at $63,636 and the University of Michigan lists 2025–2026 12-month resident M.D. tuition and fees at $58,662.
Which Medicine Branch is the Hardest?
Neurosurgery is often considered one of the most demanding branches of medicine because it involves delicate and complex areas of the body. As a neurosurgeon, you must have extensive skills and general knowledge about the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Moreover, it requires several years of comprehensive training to acquire and develop the skills and precision to perform these delicate procedures.
Detroit and nearby Southeast Michigan are home to several medical schools, making the region a strong option for students interested in studying medicine in Michigan. Any of the above schools can help you pursue a career in the medical field and prepare for future challenges in the industry. Once you have settled on the medical school of choice, make sure also to take a peek at our list of fully funded scholarships to help pay for your studies.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Detroit was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States, check out our Study in the USA and the Available Programs for International Students!
