Welcome to Hawaii best medical schools. Our rankings are based on alumni reviews, research scores received, peer institution assessment and admissions statistics including averaged MCAT scores, undergraduate GPA as well as acceptance rates. Below we list top medical schools in Hawaii that are top ranked nationally. You can find tuition cost, total enrollment and composite MCAT score for each school.
Top Medical Schools in Hawaii
| National Ranking | Best Medical Programs |
| 81 | University of Hawaii Acceptance rate: 12.8% MCAT composite score: 10.0 Tuition: Full-time: $29,184 (in-state), Full-time: $61,464 (out-of-state) Average undergraduate GPA: 3.64 Total medical school enrollment: 259 Full-time faculty-student ratio: 0.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $34.1
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All Medical Schools in Hawaii
Hawaii may be a small state, but it offers unique opportunities for medical education and training, especially for those interested in serving diverse, multicultural communities and focusing on healthcare in the Pacific region. The state’s tropical environment, unique patient demographics, and healthcare challenges provide an excellent backdrop for medical education.
1. University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)
Overview
The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), located in Honolulu, is the only medical school in Hawaii. It is part of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is named after the former Governor of Hawaii, John A. Burns, who played a pivotal role in its establishment. JABSOM is recognized for its emphasis on primary care, community health, and its focus on serving the unique needs of the people of Hawaii, the Pacific Basin, and Asia. The school’s mission is to improve healthcare in Hawaii and the Pacific region through education, research, and service.
JABSOM’s curriculum integrates problem-based learning and early exposure to clinical practice. It has a strong commitment to training physicians to care for Hawaii’s multicultural population, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and understanding indigenous health issues.
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- MD/PhD (Medical Scientist Training Program)
- Graduate and undergraduate programs in biomedical sciences
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Graduate programs in clinical research and tropical medicine
Admission Requirements
- Average MCAT: 511
- Average GPA: 3.76
- Prerequisites:
- One year of biology with lab
- One year of general chemistry with lab
- One year of organic chemistry with lab
- One semester of biochemistry
- One year of physics with lab
- Strong emphasis on applicants having a deep understanding of Hawaii’s unique healthcare needs, particularly in serving Pacific Islander and Asian populations.
- Applicants are expected to demonstrate significant healthcare experience (clinical or volunteer), community service, and research involvement.
Starting Salaries
- Median Starting Salary: $58,000–$65,000 (during residency)
- Post-residency: Graduates from JABSOM who remain in Hawaii for their medical careers typically earn between $200,000 and $270,000, depending on specialization. Family medicine, internal medicine, and general practitioners typically fall at the lower end of this range, while specialists can earn higher.
Unique Opportunities at JABSOM
Commitment to Serving Underserved Populations
JABSOM is deeply committed to improving healthcare access in underserved and rural communities, particularly across the Hawaiian islands and throughout the Pacific Basin. Students are encouraged to engage in community-based rotations and outreach initiatives. The school offers extensive opportunities for students to work with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian populations, gaining invaluable experience in culturally competent care.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Curriculum
JABSOM is known for its problem-based learning curriculum, which promotes critical thinking and teamwork. Instead of relying on traditional lectures, the PBL approach places students in small groups where they solve clinical cases collaboratively. This system is designed to help students develop strong problem-solving skills, early clinical exposure, and an ability to work effectively in healthcare teams.
Research Opportunities
JABSOM offers numerous research opportunities for students, particularly in areas such as tropical medicine, infectious diseases, indigenous health, and community health disparities. The school’s location in Hawaii provides a unique setting for studying diseases and health conditions that affect Pacific Islanders and other underserved populations. Research is often conducted in collaboration with local hospitals, clinics, and international organizations working in the Pacific region.
International and Pacific Health Focus
JABSOM’s location in the Pacific provides students with the opportunity to engage in global health initiatives. The school maintains partnerships with medical institutions across the Pacific Islands and Asia, offering students the chance to participate in international electives and research projects. This global perspective helps students gain a better understanding of healthcare systems and challenges in other parts of the world.
Admission and Interview Process at JABSOM
JABSOM’s admissions process is competitive, with the school emphasizing the importance of selecting applicants who are committed to improving healthcare in Hawaii and the Pacific. In addition to strong academic credentials, successful applicants demonstrate a deep understanding of the unique healthcare needs of the region, particularly for underserved populations.
- Application Requirements:
- Primary application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
- Secondary application specific to JABSOM, which includes essays focusing on the applicant’s commitment to Hawaii and the Pacific Basin, and how they plan to address healthcare challenges in the region.
- Interview Process:
- Interviews are conducted using the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which consists of a series of short, structured interview stations. Each station assesses different qualities, including communication skills, ethical decision-making, and cultural competency. JABSOM places significant weight on applicants’ ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of Hawaii’s healthcare needs.
Clinical Training and Partnerships
JABSOM offers its students robust clinical training experiences through its partnerships with hospitals and healthcare organizations across Hawaii. These include:
- The Queen’s Medical Center: The largest private, nonprofit hospital in Hawaii, Queen’s serves as a major teaching hospital for JABSOM students. Students gain experience in a wide range of specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
- Hawaii Pacific Health: A healthcare system with hospitals and clinics throughout Hawaii, including Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, and Straub Medical Center. JABSOM students participate in clinical rotations here, particularly in pediatrics, obstetrics, and general medicine.
- Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System: Offers students experience in treating veterans, with a focus on primary care, mental health, and geriatrics.
- Rural and Community-Based Clinics: JABSOM places a strong emphasis on training students to work in rural and underserved areas, with clinical rotations offered on neighbor islands such as Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. This provides students with experience in community-based healthcare and treating patients in areas with limited access to medical resources.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
JABSOM offers several financial aid programs and scholarships to help students manage the cost of medical school. Scholarships are available based on merit, financial need, and commitment to serving in Hawaii or underserved communities.
- Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program: This program provides loan repayment assistance to healthcare professionals, including physicians, who commit to working in medically underserved areas in Hawaii after completing their training. This program is designed to alleviate the financial burden of medical education while addressing healthcare shortages in rural and underserved regions.
- Dean’s Scholarships: These merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to JABSOM’s mission.
Continuing Education and Post-Graduate Training
After completing their MD, JABSOM graduates have access to residency programs offered in Hawaii through the school’s partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare systems. These programs are designed to meet Hawaii’s healthcare workforce needs and focus on primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, and other specialties critical to the state.
- Residency Programs: JABSOM offers residency training in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, and psychiatry. These programs are based in Honolulu and at other sites across Hawaii, providing graduates with the opportunity to continue their training in the state.
- Fellowships: JABSOM also offers fellowship programs in areas such as geriatrics, cardiovascular disease, and maternal-fetal medicine. These fellowships provide advanced training in specialized fields and prepare graduates for leadership roles in healthcare.