Welcome to North Carolina 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 North Carolina that are top ranked nationally. You can find tuition cost, total enrollment and composite MCAT score for each school.
Top Medical Schools in North Carolina
| National Ranking | Best Medical Programs |
| 9 | Duke University (Durham, NC) Acceptance rate: 5.0% MCAT composite score: 11.4 Tuition: Full-time: $46,261 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.75 Total medical school enrollment: 413 Full-time faculty-student ratio: 3.5:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $328.8
|
| 23 | University of North Carolina Acceptance rate: 3.6% MCAT composite score: 10.7 Tuition: Full-time: $13,971 (in-state), Full-time: $39,326 (out-of-state) Average undergraduate GPA: 3.62 Total medical school enrollment: 771 Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.7:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $259.9
|
| 43 | Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) Acceptance rate: 3.6% MCAT composite score: 10.7 Tuition: Full-time: $41,385 Average undergraduate GPA: 3.58 Total medical school enrollment: 481 Full-time faculty-student ratio: 2.0:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $144.7
|
| 91 | East Carolina University (Brody) (Greenville, NC) Acceptance rate: 15.9% MCAT composite score: 10.0 Tuition: Full-time: $10,537 (in-state), Full-time: $37,222 (out-of-state) Average undergraduate GPA: 3.60 Total medical school enrollment: 308 Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.3:1 NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $9.6
|
All Medical Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to several top-ranked medical schools, each offering unique programs and opportunities for aspiring physicians. These institutions emphasize patient-centered care, research, and a commitment to serving both urban and rural populations.
1. Duke University School of Medicine
Overview
Duke University School of Medicine, located in Durham, North Carolina, is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the country. Founded in 1930, Duke is renowned for its leadership in medical education, groundbreaking research, and world-class clinical care. The school emphasizes innovation in medical education, offering a unique curriculum that condenses traditional medical school coursework into three years, allowing students to focus on research or other interests during their fourth year.
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Medicine (MD): The MD program at Duke features an accelerated curriculum that allows students to complete their core science courses in the first year, followed by clinical rotations in the second year. The third year is dedicated to research or scholarly work, with the fourth year focusing on advanced clinical training.
- MD/PhD Program: The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Duke is designed for students interested in becoming physician-scientists. This dual-degree program integrates medical training with advanced research in biomedical sciences.
- MD/MPH Program: A dual degree in partnership with Duke’s Global Health Institute, allowing students to pursue both an MD and a Master of Public Health.
- MD/MBA Program: A joint degree with Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare management.
- Graduate Medical Education (GME): Duke offers a wide variety of residency and fellowship programs in clinical specialties, as well as master’s and PhD programs in the biomedical sciences.
Admission Requirements
- MCAT: The average MCAT score for accepted students is 519.
- GPA: The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.87.
- Prerequisite Courses:
- Biology (with lab)
- General Chemistry (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry (with lab)
- Physics (with lab)
- Biochemistry (required)
- Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics)
- English or Writing-intensive courses
- Clinical Experience: Significant clinical experience is expected, such as shadowing physicians, volunteering in healthcare settings, or working in a clinical role.
- Research Experience: Research is highly valued, particularly for those applying to the MD/PhD program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit three to five letters of recommendation, including at least one from a science professor and one from a healthcare provider.
- Interview Process: Duke uses the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format, which assesses communication skills, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Starting Salaries
Duke graduates are highly sought after, with strong starting salaries across a variety of medical specialties:
- Primary Care Physicians: $210,000 to $260,000
- Specialists: $280,000 to $350,000, depending on the specialty
- Surgeons: $350,000 to $500,000, depending on the surgical specialty
2. University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Overview
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, located in Chapel Hill, is one of the top public medical schools in the country. Known for its commitment to serving the people of North Carolina, the school emphasizes primary care, rural health, and public service. UNC is also home to a world-class research program and has strong affiliations with the UNC Health Care System, providing students with diverse clinical training opportunities.
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Medicine (MD): UNC’s MD program focuses on patient-centered care, with an integrated curriculum that emphasizes early clinical experience, medical research, and interdisciplinary learning.
- MD/PhD Program: A dual-degree program for students pursuing careers as physician-scientists, combining medical training with advanced research.
- MD/MPH Program: A combined degree that allows students to earn both an MD and a Master of Public Health, ideal for students interested in public health, epidemiology, and preventive medicine.
- Rural Medicine Track: A specialized program within the MD degree that prepares students to practice medicine in rural and underserved communities.
- Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences: UNC offers master’s and PhD programs in areas such as genetics, immunology, and pharmacology.
- Residency and Fellowship Programs (GME): The school offers a wide range of residency and fellowship programs, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery.
Admission Requirements
- MCAT: The average MCAT score for accepted students is 514.
- GPA: The average undergraduate GPA is 3.8.
- Prerequisite Courses:
- Biology (with lab)
- General Chemistry (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry (with lab)
- Physics (with lab)
- Biochemistry (required)
- Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
- English or Writing-intensive courses
- Clinical Experience: Applicants must demonstrate significant clinical experience through shadowing, volunteering, or working in healthcare settings.
- Research Experience: Research is encouraged, though not required, especially for students interested in academic medicine or the MD/PhD program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required, including one from a healthcare professional and one from a science professor.
- Interview Process: UNC uses a traditional interview format to assess the applicant’s communication skills, clinical experience, and commitment to service.
Starting Salaries
UNC graduates enter a variety of medical fields, with competitive starting salaries:
- Primary Care Physicians: $190,000 to $250,000
- Specialists: $260,000 to $340,000, depending on the specialty
- Surgeons: $330,000 to $470,000, depending on the surgical specialty
3. Wake Forest School of Medicine
Overview
Wake Forest School of Medicine, located in Winston-Salem, is known for its focus on medical education, research, and patient-centered care. Wake Forest offers an innovative curriculum that integrates clinical and basic science education, preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare. The school is affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, giving students access to diverse clinical experiences.
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Medicine (MD): Wake Forest’s MD program is designed to develop compassionate, patient-centered physicians. The curriculum includes early clinical exposure, problem-based learning, and opportunities for research.
- MD/PhD Program: A dual-degree program for students pursuing careers as physician-scientists, offering training in both medical and research disciplines.
- MD/MPH Program: This combined degree prepares students for leadership roles in public health and preventive medicine, integrating medical training with public health principles.
- Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences: Wake Forest offers master’s and PhD programs in biomedical sciences, including neuroscience, molecular medicine, and cancer biology.
- Residency and Fellowship Programs (GME): Wake Forest offers residency and fellowship programs across a range of specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics.
Admission Requirements
- MCAT: The average MCAT score for accepted students is 512.
- GPA: The average undergraduate GPA is 3.7.
- Prerequisite Courses:
- Biology (with lab)
- General Chemistry (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry (with lab)
- Physics (with lab)
- Biochemistry (recommended)
- English or Writing-intensive courses
- Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
- Clinical Experience: Applicants are required to have significant clinical experience, such as shadowing physicians, volunteering in hospitals, or working in healthcare settings.
- Research Experience: While not mandatory, research experience is highly valued, especially for those applying to the MD/PhD program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Wake Forest requires three letters of recommendation, including one from a science professor and one from a healthcare provider.
- Interview Process: The school uses a traditional interview format, assessing applicants’ clinical experience, interpersonal skills, and commitment to patient-centered care.
Starting Salaries
Wake Forest graduates typically earn competitive salaries across various medical specialties:
- Primary Care Physicians: $190,000 to $240,000
- Specialists: $250,000 to $320,000, depending on specialty
- Surgeons: $330,000 to $450,000, depending on specialty
4. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
Overview
The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, located in Greenville, North Carolina, is committed to improving the health of North Carolina’s citizens, with a focus on rural and underserved populations. The school emphasizes primary care, and many of its graduates go on to practice in rural areas. Brody offers a patient-centered curriculum that integrates clinical care, public health, and community service.
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Medicine (MD): Brody’s MD program focuses on producing physicians who are committed to serving rural and underserved communities. The curriculum integrates clinical practice with a strong foundation in basic sciences and public health.
- Rural Medicine Track: This program prepares students for careers in rural healthcare, offering specialized training in the unique challenges of practicing medicine in rural areas.
- Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences: Brody offers master’s and PhD programs in biomedical sciences, including pharmacology, immunology, and microbiology.
- Residency and Fellowship Programs (GME): The school offers residency and fellowship programs in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, as well as specialized fields like surgery.
Admission Requirements
- MCAT: The average MCAT score for accepted students is 509.
- GPA: The average undergraduate GPA is 3.6.
- Prerequisite Courses:
- Biology (with lab)
- General Chemistry (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry (with lab)
- Physics (with lab)
- Biochemistry (recommended)
- Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
- English or Writing-intensive courses
- Clinical Experience: Brody requires applicants to have clinical experience, particularly in underserved or rural settings. Volunteering, shadowing, or working in healthcare settings is highly valued.
- Research Experience: Research is encouraged but not required for admission. Students interested in academic medicine are encouraged to gain research experience during their undergraduate years.
- Letters of Recommendation: Brody requires three letters of recommendation, including one from a healthcare professional and one from a science professor.
- Interview Process: The admissions process includes traditional interviews that assess applicants’ commitment to primary care, clinical skills, and personal qualities such as empathy and teamwork.
Starting Salaries
Brody graduates are well-prepared for careers in primary care and other medical fields, with competitive starting salaries:
- Primary Care Physicians: $180,000 to $230,000
- Specialists: $240,000 to $300,000, depending on the specialty
- Surgeons: $300,000 to $400,000, depending on specialty