Finding an excellent medical school that matches students’ interests can take time and effort in some states. These schools can provide students with in-depth medical education and plenty of chances to gain practical experience in the field. Luckily, there are great options if you study in New Jersey. Besides mixing private and public schools and offering Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees, these universities only offer unique programs in some places.
Thanks to the state’s proximity to large urban centers like New York City and Philadelphia, students can network with prominent healthcare professionals and participate in collaborative research initiatives. Additionally, the flourishing biopharmaceutical industry in the state demonstrates the state’s dedication to medical innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and groundbreaking medical breakthroughs.
Moreover, while most medical schools in New Jersey accept applications from within the state, out-of-state and international students can also apply, as the institutions have admitted more of them lately. That’s why we compiled a list of the best medical schools in New Jersey to help you choose the best one.
Top Medical Schools in New Jersey
1. New Jersey Medical School
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is one of the two medical schools affiliated with Rutgers University. Its campus is located in Newark, and admissions are entirely independent of the other medical schools. According to U.S. News & World Report, NJMS is tier 2 in research and tier 4 in primary care. This medical school in New Jersey has two different M.D. programs. The traditional M.D. program lasts four years and is divided into two years of foundational coursework and two years of clinical rotations.
The other program is called the Accelerated Primary Care M.D. Program. It lasts three years for those interested in primary care who have shown academic excellence and relevant medical experiences. They can choose between pediatrics, internal medicine, or combined medicine/pediatrics. Students also have unique research opportunities through a wide variety of programs.
Moreover, their dual degree programs include M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.P.H. (Master’s in Public Health), M.D./M.B.A. (Master’s in Business Administration), and M.D. with Thesis. There’s also a summer program for doing research in the laboratories along with medical school professionals. Important achievements have been made in the facilities of NJMS in the areas of cancer, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and AIDS.
In 2018, there were 5,084 applications for admission. 695 applicants were interviewed, but only 178 enrolled. Their average GPA was 3.68, and their average MCAT score was 513.
2. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Aside from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is another medical school affiliated with Rutgers University. It has campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway. According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report, RWJMS was considered tier 2 in terms of research and tier 3 in terms of primary care. The MD curriculum is divided into two phases.
The first two years combine basic sciences and organ-systems blocks. The last two years consist of clerkships that combine selectives and electives. These are done in over 80 affiliated centers of RWJMS. These include the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the Women’s Health Institute, the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, and the Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey. Moreover, its dual degree medical programs offered include M.D./Ph.D., M.D./MBA (Master’s in Business Administration), M.D./MPH (Master’s in Public Health), and M.D./MSCTS (Master’s in Clinical & Translational Science).
In 2017, the class had 134 students entering. Their average GPA was 3.64, and their average MCAT score was 511. Admissions are made through the AMCAS platform. Applicants must take the MCAT, submit letters of recommendation, and meet the pre-medical course requirements. We recommend that you read their student handbook and the booklet. The booklet has reflections and advice from first-year students.
3. Cooper Medical School
The Cooper Medical School of Rowan University is a relatively new public medical school. Although it was founded in 2012, it already ranks among the top 100 universities in the country. According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report, it is tier 2, best in primary care, and tier 3, best in research. It offers the traditional M.D. and dual-degree programs, including M.D./Ph.D. and M.D./MBA.
The M.D. program combines foundational coursework in the first two years and mandatory and elective clerkships in the last two years. Students in this New Jersey medical school are exposed to clinical experiences from the fifth week of the first year, allowing them to apply what they learn by contacting patients and confirming cases.
In 2018, CMSRU handled 6,708 applications. After interviews, only 203 students were admitted, placing it within the top 10 medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates. If you are a New Jersey resident, you’ll have higher chances of being admitted. They prioritize residents, who represented 65% of the students enrolled.
4. Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Rowan University has another medical school, but this one grants D.O. degrees. The Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, or RowanSOM, is a public medical school founded in 1976. According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, it is tied with CMRSU in the 91st place in terms of primary care and the 93rd place in terms of research.
This medical school in New Jersey recently renewed its D.O. curriculums, which will be launched in the fall of 2019. Students can choose from two programs. The traditional D.O. program has a single-pass system and combines basic sciences with organ systems and clinical experiences. It means that once students have learned a medical aspect in class, they will have clinical practices that involve what they already know so they can apply it.
There are also four dual degree programs: D.O./M.P.H. (Master’s in Public Health), D.O./M.B.A. (Master’s in Business Administration), D.O./Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, and D.O./J.D. in affiliation with the Rutgers School of Law. The second program is Problem-Based Learning. This program is centered on students and has a double-pass system.
The learning process is more independent, and students are exposed to clinical cases to develop advanced clinical reasoning skills. Both programs offer courses in community service, sexuality, end-of-life care, and the science behind healthcare systems. The admissions process here is similar to the method mentioned above.
The only difference is that it has to be done through the AACOMAS platform instead of AMCA’s. In 2018, they received 5,003 applications, but only 186 students were enrolled. Competitive applicants have a GPA over 3.50 and an MCAT score of at least 505.
FAQ: Studying Medicine in New Jersey
In Which U.S. State Do Doctors Make the Most Money?
If you are wondering which state in the USA to set up a lucrative doctor career, think Wisconsin, Milwaukee, North Dakota, and Alaska. Why? Physicians in Milwaukee and Wisconsin make almost $400,000 a year, which is very high compared with average doctor salaries in the US. Doctors in North Dakota receive up to $360,000 in annual compensation.
On the other hand, doctors in Alaska receive an average of $359,000 annually. These are mostly rural states offering higher salaries to attract more doctors, and they are some of the highest salaries for Doctors in the USA.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in New Jersey?
To become a medical doctor in New Jersey, you must complete a four-year undergraduate or pre-medical program to receive your BA or BS in your major. Depending on your academic standing and clinical experience, you may also need to take a three-year M.D. program to train as a primary care physician.
You will also need to undergo several years of supervised residency before being allowed to practice medicine. Additionally, it’s best to be accredited and given a license from the Health Department of New Jersey to enable you to start practicing.
New Jersey has some of the best medical schools in the United States, like Rutgers University‘s New Jersey Medical School. If you are having trouble picking the best medical school to pursue your degree, the above overview of medical schools in New Jersey will help you narrow down to the best medical school. If you are unsure about deciding, you can explore your options by checking out other cheap medical schools in the USA.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in New Jersey was helpful. To learn more information on studying in the United States, check out our Study in the USA and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA!
