Medical schools are established to educate future students aspiring to become doctors who can adapt to the healthcare system by providing them with cutting-edge education and training in a modern setting. There are several good options if you want to pursue a medical degree or career in Missouri. Various medical colleges in Missouri provide the educational needs of medical students, making the state a center for medical education and research. Moreover, it was the first state to have an osteopathic medical school!
Missouri has six medical schools: two public and the rest private, which is a good mix for resident and out-of-state students! These universities also grant M.D. and O.D. degrees. So, in this article, let’s start by discussing the best medical schools in Missouri. Keep reading to learn more about these institutions!
Top Medical Schools in Missouri
1. Washington University in St. Louis
Founded in 1891, Washington University in St. Louis’ School of Medicine has many accomplishments supporting the quality education offered here. Since university rankings appeared, it has consistently ranked in the top ten medical schools in the U.S. In the 2019 U.S. News & World Report ranking, it was the eighth-best in research and the 12th-best in primary care.
WUSM has many more programs besides the M.D. degree. Dual-degree programs include M.D./Ph.D., M.D./MPH (Master of Public Health), M.D./MSCI (Master of Science in Clinical Investigation), M.D./MPHS (Master of Population Health Sciences), and M.D./MBA (Master of Business Administration). There are also physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology and communication sciences programs, and other medical specializations.
For those who want to obtain a master’s or Ph.D. degree, this medical school in Missouri also offers over 20 programs in areas like immunology, neurosciences, biostatistics, and genetic epidemiology. Additionally, many Nobel Prize winners have been WUSM students, teachers, or members of the research groups. We are talking about almost 20 notable figures, including Luis Leloir and Rita Levi-Montalcini.
As for admissions, in the 2018 – 2019 academic year, 4,716 people applied, and only 124 enrolled. If you visit their website, you’ll learn about students’ lives. Real students from WUSM explain how their experiences are year by year. Students have great extracurricular activities, and financial aid is available to all. They also accept international students.
2. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University School of Medicine is a private medical school founded in 1836. In 2024, according to the U.S. News & World Report, it was Tier 1 in primary care and Tier 3 in research. SLUSOM is a pioneer in different research and medical fields. For example, the first heart transplant in Missouri was performed at this medical school, and they have ongoing research projects in cardiovascular disease, geriatric medicine, and neurosciences. Also, it is a vaccine research medical school funded by the NIH.
Students will complete the M.D. program in modern facilities with simulation models, standardized patients, and mannequins to practice specific procedures. Classes at this medical school consist of small groups and problem-solving activities. They offer dual-degree programs, where you can combine your M.D. with a Ph.D., a Master’s in Business Administration, or Public Health. Ph.D. degrees are available in anatomy, pathology, biochemistry and molecular biology, pharmacological and physiological sciences, and molecular microbiology and immunology.
Of the more than 8,000 applicants in 2018, 181 students were accepted. Their average GPA was 3.85, and their average MCAT score was 513. Admissions are made through the AMCAS platform, and besides taking the MCAT, students must submit recommendation letters, proof of completing the required courses, and any other relevant experience in the medical field.
Feel Free to Check: Tuition-Free Universities in the USA
3. University of Missouri
The University of Missouri School of Medicine was founded in 1872 in Columbia, in the southern area of the university’s campus. It should not be confused with the University of Missouri: Kansas City School of Medicine, which belongs to the same university and is located in Kansas. According to the U.S. News & World Report ranking 2019, the University of Missouri School of Medicine was considered the 64th best in primary care and the 82nd best in research.
Admissions there differ from admissions on Columbia’s campus because they have a six-year program that admits high school students and grants BA/MD degrees. In 2016, there were 2,167 applicants, but only 104 were enrolled. However, in 2017, they opened a clinical campus in Springfield, allowing them to expand class sizes. That’s why, in 2018, there were 112 first-year students.
Its M.D. program is divided into foundational coursework and clinical rotations. During the first two years, they focus on developing basic clinical skills through methods that are based on experiences with patients and small-group classes, which means that lectures are just a minimal part of the curriculum.
The third year consists of core clerkships in specific areas. The fourth year focuses on developing advanced clinical skills through rotations that combine selective, electives, and Advanced Biomedical Sciences courses. It also offers dual-degree programs, master’s, and doctorates in biochemistry, nutrition and exercise physiology, medical pharmacology, and physiology.
4. A. T. Still University Kirksville
A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1892, and it has evolved into a very modern medical school that combines cutting-edge technology, research, and a holistic approach. ATSU-KCOM has a modern simulation center with full-sized adult, child, and mother and infant simulators. These are incredibly realistic and sensitive to pharmacological interventions.
The D.O. program focuses on providing an education that follows the osteopathic approach. Throughout the program, students will learn all the aspects of preventive medicine, and classes will be patient-based. During the first two years, education consists of foundational coursework in basic and clinical sciences. The last two years consist of clinical rotations that can be done in one of the affiliated centers located in 10 different states. In addition to the D.O. degree, they also offer a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences.
In 2018, there were 4,357 applicants. Four hundred fifty-seven of them were interviewed, but only 172 were enrolled. Their average G.P.A. was 3.61, and their average MCAT score was 503. As this is a private medical school, they accept international students and don’t have any particular preference regarding state residency. The 2018 entering class had students from nearly 30 states.
In conclusion, Missouri’s solid medical education system and comprehensive programs from renowned medical schools, such as the University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis, position the state as an excellent place for students aspiring to become doctors and healthcare professionals. Not only that, but these institutions can also provide diverse educational opportunities and cutting-edge facilities, making one’s future medical journey worthwhile! So, consider enrolling in these universities if you plan to study in this state.
We hope this article on the top medical schools in Missouri was helpful. To learn more information on studying in the United States, check out our Study in the USA Page and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA!
About the Author: Hyun Lee
