Family medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on comprehensive healthcare for individuals and families across all ages, genders, and diseases. Physicians trained in family medicine are equipped to address a wide range of medical issues and serve as primary care providers, often developing long-term relationships with their patients. As demand for primary care services continues to grow in the U.S., many medical schools offer specialized training in family medicine.
1. University of Washington School of Medicine
Overview
According to best-medical-schools, the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW) is consistently ranked as one of the top medical schools for family medicine in the U.S. The school’s Department of Family Medicine is nationally recognized for its comprehensive curriculum, strong community focus, and emphasis on primary care.
Key Strengths
- WWAMI Program: The school offers the WWAMI program, a collaborative medical education initiative that spans Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. This program focuses on training family medicine physicians to work in rural and underserved areas.
- Clinical Training: Students have access to a variety of clinical settings, including urban, suburban, and rural locations, giving them exposure to diverse patient populations.
- Research in Family Medicine: The UW Department of Family Medicine is at the forefront of research in primary care, rural health, and healthcare delivery models.
Residency Program
- UW Family Medicine Residency Network: The school has a broad residency network across the WWAMI region, with multiple training sites providing robust, community-based family medicine training.
- Focus Areas: Residents can specialize in areas such as global health, obstetrics, and rural health.
2. University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine
Overview
The University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine is renowned for its strong commitment to family medicine, with a nationally ranked department that emphasizes service to rural and underserved populations. The school integrates family medicine principles throughout the medical education curriculum.
Key Strengths
- Interdisciplinary Training: UNC promotes interdisciplinary education, allowing medical students to collaborate with nursing, public health, and pharmacy students.
- Rural Medicine: The school has a special focus on rural healthcare, providing students with clinical experiences in rural North Carolina through its Rural Health Scholars Program.
- Primary Care Emphasis: Family medicine principles are embedded in the broader medical education program, with significant exposure to primary care from the early stages of the curriculum.
Residency Program
- UNC Family Medicine Residency Program: This program is one of the oldest and most respected family medicine residencies in the country. It offers diverse clinical training opportunities in community health, hospital-based care, and geriatrics.
- Focus on Preventive Medicine: Residents receive strong training in preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and population health.
3. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine
Overview
OHSU School of Medicine in Portland, Oregon, has a strong reputation for training family medicine physicians. The school’s Family Medicine Department is dedicated to providing primary care services and educating the next generation of family physicians.
Key Strengths
- Primary Care Leadership: OHSU is consistently ranked as a top school for primary care, emphasizing family medicine education and research in population health and healthcare access.
- Community-Based Learning: The school integrates community-based learning into its curriculum, encouraging students to work in diverse clinical settings across Oregon.
- Innovative Curriculum: OHSU’s innovative curriculum emphasizes team-based learning, patient-centered care, and the integration of evidence-based medicine in family practice.
Residency Program
- OHSU Family Medicine Residency Program: The program offers three distinct training tracks: urban, rural, and global health. Residents are exposed to a variety of patient populations and practice settings.
- Opportunities for Research: Residents can engage in research projects focused on healthcare delivery models, health disparities, and rural health.
4. University of Minnesota Medical School
Overview
The University of Minnesota Medical School is known for its strong family medicine program, which has consistently been ranked among the top in the U.S. The school places a significant emphasis on primary care and rural health.
Key Strengths
- Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP): This program allows medical students to complete a nine-month clinical experience in rural Minnesota, providing hands-on training in family medicine.
- Comprehensive Primary Care Curriculum: Family medicine is a core part of the University of Minnesota’s curriculum, and students are exposed to primary care settings from the beginning of their training.
- Innovative Educational Programs: The school offers a range of programs designed to meet the needs of underserved populations, including the Urban Community Pathway, which focuses on healthcare delivery in urban, underserved communities.
Residency Program
- University of Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Program: The residency program offers multiple training sites across the state, with a particular focus on community health, rural healthcare, and preventive medicine.
- Tracks and Specializations: Residents can choose specialized tracks in global health, obstetrics, sports medicine, and behavioral health.
5. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine
Overview
The UCSF School of Medicine is widely recognized for its excellence in medical education and research. UCSF has a strong focus on primary care, and its Family & Community Medicine Department is one of the best in the nation.
Key Strengths
- Community Engagement: UCSF has a deep commitment to underserved communities and incorporates community health work into the core of its family medicine training.
- Focus on Social Determinants of Health: The curriculum emphasizes the social determinants of health and healthcare disparities, preparing students to work with diverse populations.
- Comprehensive Primary Care Education: Students gain experience in a variety of primary care settings, including urban, rural, and global health clinics.
Residency Program
- UCSF Family and Community Medicine Residency Program: The program offers training in comprehensive family medicine, with an emphasis on underserved populations, integrative medicine, and global health.
- Fellowships: UCSF offers fellowships in areas like addiction medicine, geriatrics, and global health, allowing residents to further specialize in their areas of interest.
6. University of Colorado School of Medicine
Overview
The University of Colorado School of Medicine is known for its strong family medicine program, which is ranked among the top in the U.S. The school has a long history of training physicians to provide comprehensive care across all ages and populations.
Key Strengths
- Rural Track Program: The University of Colorado offers a Rural Track Program that prepares medical students for careers in rural primary care settings. Students in this program gain extensive experience in rural clinics and hospitals.
- Team-Based Learning: The curriculum emphasizes team-based learning and patient-centered care, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals.
- Diversity in Clinical Experiences: Students have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of clinical settings, including urban, suburban, and rural healthcare environments.
Residency Program
- University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program: The program offers training in family medicine with a focus on outpatient primary care, rural medicine, and underserved populations.
- Innovative Training Programs: The residency offers several tracks, including global health, integrative medicine, and sports medicine.
7. University of Michigan Medical School
Overview
The University of Michigan Medical School is known for its outstanding family medicine program, which integrates research, clinical practice, and community engagement. The school emphasizes comprehensive care and evidence-based medicine.
Key Strengths
- Patient-Centered Care: The school’s curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, preparing students to provide holistic care to individuals and families.
- Primary Care Research: The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan is a leader in primary care research, with a focus on health disparities, chronic disease management, and healthcare delivery.
- Global Health Opportunities: The school offers numerous global health opportunities, allowing students to gain experience in international family medicine settings.
Residency Program
- University of Michigan Family Medicine Residency Program: The program offers diverse training experiences in primary care, including opportunities in outpatient care, hospital-based care, and preventive medicine.
- Specialized Tracks: Residents can choose specialized tracks in geriatrics, maternal and child health, integrative medicine, and global health.
8. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Overview
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health offers a family medicine program that combines clinical training with public health principles. The school emphasizes rural health and community engagement.
Key Strengths
- Public Health Integration: The school integrates public health into its medical education, preparing students to address broader health issues that affect their patients and communities.
- Rural Health Focus: The school has a strong focus on rural health, with programs designed to prepare students for practice in rural and underserved areas of Wisconsin and beyond.
- Interdisciplinary Training: Medical students collaborate with students from other health professions, including nursing, pharmacy, and public health, to promote interdisciplinary care.
Residency Program
- University of Wisconsin Family Medicine Residency Program: The program offers training in a variety of settings, including rural and urban clinics, and focuses on comprehensive family medicine.
- Focus Areas: Residents can pursue fellowships in areas such as geriatrics, maternal and child health, addiction medicine, and integrative medicine.
9. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Overview
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is one of the most prestigious medical schools in the U.S., known for its commitment to clinical excellence and innovation. The school’s Department of Family Medicine offers a comprehensive program focused on providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
Key Strengths
- Clinical Integration: Mayo Clinic’s family medicine program emphasizes clinical integration, with students participating in patient care from the early stages of their education.
- Patient-Centered Care: The school focuses on delivering personalized, patient-centered care, and teaches students to prioritize the individual needs of their patients.
- Research Opportunities: Mayo Clinic is a leader in medical research, and students have numerous opportunities to engage in family medicine research projects.
Residency Program
- Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program: The program offers robust training in family medicine, with a focus on evidence-based care, chronic disease management, and preventive medicine.
- Global Health Track: Residents can participate in global health rotations, gaining experience in providing family medicine care in international settings.
10. Baylor College of Medicine
Overview
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, has a strong family medicine program that is nationally recognized for its emphasis on primary care, community health, and patient-centered care.
Key Strengths
- Urban and Community Health: Baylor’s family medicine program focuses on addressing the healthcare needs of urban populations, with a special emphasis on underserved communities.
- Innovative Curriculum: Baylor offers an innovative, integrated curriculum that combines basic science with clinical practice, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
- Research and Scholarship: Baylor is a leader in primary care research, with a focus on population health, healthcare disparities, and chronic disease management.
Residency Program
- Baylor Family Medicine Residency Program: The residency program offers diverse training opportunities in primary care, hospital-based care, and community health.
- Fellowship Opportunities: Baylor offers fellowships in areas such as sports medicine, geriatrics, and academic family medicine.
11. University of Utah School of Medicine
Overview
The University of Utah School of Medicine is known for its strong commitment to family medicine and primary care. The school emphasizes rural health, community engagement, and comprehensive family medicine training.
Key Strengths
- Rural Health Focus: The school has a special focus on training physicians to serve in rural and underserved areas of Utah and the surrounding states.
- Community-Based Education: Students are actively engaged in community-based education and participate in clinical rotations in diverse settings, including rural and urban clinics.
- Innovative Curriculum: The school’s curriculum emphasizes team-based learning, evidence-based medicine, and the social determinants of health.
Residency Program
- University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program: The residency program offers training in comprehensive family medicine, with a focus on rural health, community engagement, and preventive medicine.
- Specialty Tracks: Residents can choose from specialized tracks in global health, sports medicine, and maternal and child health.
| Ranking | School and Information |
| 1 | University of Washington (Seattle, WA) Tuition: Full-time: $25,320 (in-state), Full-time: $54,300 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 951 MCAT composite score: 10.3 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.68 Acceptance rate: 5.7% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 2.6:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $611.4 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) Tuition: Full-time: $13,971 (in-state), Full-time: $39,326 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 771 MCAT composite score: 10.7 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.62 Acceptance rate: 3.6% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $259.9 |
| 3 | University of California–San Francisco (San Francisco, CA) Tuition: Full-time: $29,856 (in-state), Full-time: $42,101 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 634 MCAT composite score: 11.4 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.79 Acceptance rate: 4.1% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 3.1:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $539.6 |
| 4 | University of Colorado at Denver (Aurora, CO) Tuition: Full-time: $29,984 (in-state), Full-time: $55,939 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 635 MCAT composite score: 10.8 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.70 Acceptance rate: 6.7% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 4.2:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $200.7 |
| 5 | Oregon Health and Science University (Portland, OR) Tuition: Full-time: $34,316 (in-state), Full-time: $48,545 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 499 MCAT composite score: 10.4 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.62 Acceptance rate: 5.3% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 3.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $228.2 |
| 6 | University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) Tuition: Full-time: $16,170 (in-state), Full-time: $46,347 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 341 MCAT composite score: 8.9 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.59 Acceptance rate: 13.6% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 2.3:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $60.2 |
| 7 | University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) Tuition: Full-time: $28,902 (in-state), Full-time: $46,226 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 652 MCAT composite score: 11.7 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.78 Acceptance rate: 7.9% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 3.3:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $382.1 |
| 8 | University of Missouri(Columbia, MO) Tuition: Full-time: $25,265 (in-state), Full-time: $50,307 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 391 MCAT composite score: 10.1 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.78 Acceptance rate: 9.8% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.5:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $25.5 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) Tuition: Full-time: $23,376 (in-state), Full-time: $33,704 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 684 MCAT composite score: 10.3 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.67 Acceptance rate: 7.4% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $187.2 |
| 10 | University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) Tuition: Full-time: $35,700 (in-state), Full-time: $46,467 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 986 MCAT composite score: 10.5 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.71 Acceptance rate: 10.7% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.6:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $156.5 |
| 11 | Duke University (Durham, NC) Tuition: Full-time: $46,261 Total medical school enrollment: 413 MCAT composite score: 11.4 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.75 Acceptance rate: 5.0% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 3.5:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $328.8 |
| 12 | Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH) Tuition: Full-time: $49,570 Total medical school enrollment: 858 MCAT composite score: 11.7 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.72 Acceptance rate: 9.4% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 2.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $301.4 |
| 13 | West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (Lewisburg, WV) Tuition: Full-time: $19,950 (in-state), Full-time: $49,950 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 813 MCAT composite score: 8.0 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.45 Acceptance rate: 12.4% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 0.1:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $0.0 |
| 14 | University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Tuition: Full-time: $26,690 (in-state), Full-time: $44,532 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 657 MCAT composite score: N/A Average undergraduate GPA: N/A Acceptance rate: N/A Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.8:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): |
| 15 | University of California: Davis (Sacramento, CA) Tuition: Full-time: $0 (in-state), Full-time: $12,245 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 405 MCAT composite score: 10.3 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.61 Acceptance rate: 4.5% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $137.8 |
| 16 | East Carolina University (Brody) (Greenville, NC) Tuition: Full-time: $10,537 (in-state), Full-time: $37,222 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 308 MCAT composite score: 10.0 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.60 Acceptance rate: 15.9% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.3:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $9.6 |
| 17 | University of California: San Diego (La Jolla, CA) Tuition: Full-time: $0 (in-state), Full-time: $12,245 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 511 MCAT composite score: 11.2 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.69 Acceptance rate: 5.2% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 2.4:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $307.4 |
| 18 | University of Iowa (Carver) (Iowa City, IA) Tuition: Full-time: $30,328 (in-state), Full-time: $41,142 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 586 MCAT composite score: 10.6 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.76 Acceptance rate: 8.7% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.6:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $157.9 |
| 19 | University of Kansas Medical Center (Kansas City, KS) Tuition: Full-time: $27,724 (in-state), Full-time: $49,166 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 743 MCAT composite score: 9.7 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.68 Acceptance rate: 8.9% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.1:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $76.9 |
| 20 | University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth, TX) Tuition: Full-time: $12,186 (in-state), Full-time: $26,804 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 800 MCAT composite score: 9.1 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.59 Acceptance rate: 22.1% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 0.5:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $18.3 |
| 21 | University of South Dakota (Sanford) (Sioux Falls, SD) Tuition: Full-time: $20,700 (in-state), Full-time: $48,445 (out-of-state) Total medical school enrollment: 213 MCAT composite score: 10.1 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.68 Acceptance rate: 16.9% Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $12.6 |