10 Best Medical Schools in Florida – 2024

Deciding to become a medical professional is an ambitious endeavor, one that begins with choosing the right institution to cultivate your skills and knowledge. In the vibrant state of Florida, where sun-soaked shores meet cutting-edge healthcare, aspiring doctors are met with a plethora of options. Whether you dream of specializing in tropical medicine or contributing to groundbreaking research, Florida’s array of medical schools offers a diverse landscape of opportunity. Below, we’ve outlined the top 10 medical schools in Florida.

Please note that these schools are ordered by acceptance rate, from lowest to highest. The number is not indicative of one school being “better” than another. All schools on this list are fantastic world-class medical schools from which you can launch a successful medical career.

You may also wish to explore these related blogs:

• Best Medical Schools in Pennsylvania
• Best Medical Schools in Chicago
• Best Medical Schools in California
• Best Medical Schools in New York

1) Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

• Location: Boca Raton
• Acceptance Rate: 1.6%
• Average GPA: 3.81
• Average MCAT: 516
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD, MD/MBA, MD/MHA, BS/MD

Founded in 2011, Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) medical school admits about 75 students per class. The integrated curriculum focuses on early patient interaction and five thematic threads including ethics, geriatrics, and collaborative care. Moreover, students rotate at hospitals in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and benefit from research affiliations with institutions like the Scripps Research Institute Florida and Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Finally, undergraduate students have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and doctoral degree in seven years.

2) Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

• Location: Miami
• Acceptance Rate: 1.8%
• Average GPA: 3.76
• Average MCAT: 509
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/MSHIA

Florida International University (FIU) was founded to cultivate socially accountable physicians. Recently switching to pass/fail grading, its integrated curriculum focuses on the interplay between social and biological determinants of disease. Through the Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program, each class of 120 students can engage in interprofessional teamwork to serve underserved communities. Affiliated clinical sites span various hospital types across Miami and Broward County.

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3) University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

• Location: Miami
• Acceptance Rate: 2%
• Average GPA: 3.8
• Average MCAT: 515
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/JD

The University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine is Florida’s oldest medical school. Renowned for its research and diverse clinical opportunities, Miami provides training through free clinics and the UM-Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center. Despite its larger class size of 200, its integrated curriculum emphasizes small-group learning and offers a condensed pre-clinical phase. Additionally, students have the flexibility to tailor their education with personalized pathways, including research projects and a chance to graduate in three years.

4) University of Central Florida College of Medicine

• Location: Orlando
• Acceptance Rate: 2.3%
• Average GPA: 3.88
• Average MCAT: 514
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/PhD, MD/MSBME

The University of Central Florida (UCF) provides a research-oriented medical education for an annual class size of 120, leveraging the resources of programs like the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. Furthermore, its integrated curriculum features personalized research projects and the Community of Practice program for clinical skill development. Despite losing two affiliated hospitals as rotation sites, UCF established its teaching hospital, the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona to ensure ample clinical training opportunities.

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5) Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine

• Location: Davie
• Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
• Average GPA: 3.86
• Average MCAT: 511
• Degrees Offered: MD

Southeastern University (NSU) expanded its medical offerings by establishing an allopathic medical school, complementing its longstanding osteopathic program. With a small class size of 50 students, NSU-MD fosters interprofessional collaboration and employs a problem-based learning curriculum with pass/fail grading. Additionally, core clinical rotations occur within the Hospital Corporation of America East Florida system, supplemented by rotations at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

6) University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine

• Location: Tampa
• Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
• Average GPA: 3.92
• Average MCAT: 518
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD, BS/MD

At the University of South Florida (USF), medical students can choose between the Tampa-based CORE program and the SELECT program, where the final two years are spent in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In fact, both emphasize small-group learning and early clinical exposure. The CORE program offers scholarly concentrations, while the SELECT program provides a medical leadership certificate. With a class size of 180, USF boasts robust research and clinical opportunities, primarily at Tampa General Hospital, adjacent to its newly constructed medical school facility.

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7) University of Florida College of Medicine

• Location: Gainesville
• Acceptance Rate: 4.8%
• Average GPA: 3.79
• Average MCAT: 514
• Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD, MD/JD, MD-MBA/MSM, MD/MPH

The University of Florida’s College of Medicine boasts a tight-knit community with just 135 students per class. The school is best known for prioritizing early clinical exposure. Three months into their first year, students leave Gainesville for 2.5 weeks to work with a Florida primary care physician. On top of that, Students benefit from diverse patient care experiences via free clinics, international medical outreach, and rotations at Shands Hospital. In addition, the Discovery Pathways Medical Student Research Program also allows students to perform an extended research project within their four-year medical school curriculum.

8) Florida State University College of Medicine

• Location: Tallahassee
• Acceptance Rate: 6.3%
• Average GPA: 3.68
• Average MCAT: 507
• Degrees Offered: MD

With a class size of 115, Florida State University’s (FSU) College of Medicine emphasizes training physicians for underserved communities and the elderly. Initially, the curriculum begins with summer anatomy courses, followed by assignments to regional campuses across Florida for clinical training. Students engage in primary care preparation and benefit from a dedicated Rural Education Program and a robust geriatrics department. Also, students have 24-hour access to Learning Communities, which include group study rooms, libraries, and kitchens.

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9) Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus

• Location: Bradenton
• Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
• Average GPA: 3.73
• Average MCAT: 506
• Degrees Offered: DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), the largest medical school in the U.S., responded to Florida’s demand for primary care physicians and rapid population growth by establishing its Bradenton campus. Exclusively offering a problem-based learning curriculum, LECOM Bradenton emphasizes self-directed study in small groups. Notably, during the third and fourth years, students gain clinical experience through rotations at over 90 affiliated hospitals and clinics nationwide.

10) Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Location: Fort Lauderdale
• Acceptance Rate: 8.4%
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Average MCAT: 506
• Degrees Offered: DO, BS/DO, BA/DO, DO/MPH, DO/MS, DO/DMD

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) prioritizes training primary care physicians and fostering interprofessional collaboration. With campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa/Clearwater, students engage in clinical exposure from the first month, including a mandatory rural rotation. Also, NSU-COM offers international medical outreach programs and well-established clinical rotations at major hospitals in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

Choosing a Medical School in Florida

Opting for a medical school in Florida offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with a remarkably diverse population, setting it apart from other states. In fact, navigating this diverse patient population equips aspiring physicians with the essential skills of cultural competency and empathy. Medical students develop the ability to deliver patient-centered care that is sensitive to individual needs and preferences.

Furthermore, Florida’s diverse population contributes to a dynamic healthcare landscape, presenting a wide spectrum of health challenges and disparities to address. From providing culturally tailored healthcare services to addressing social determinants of health, students can confront real-world healthcare issues and work towards equitable solutions that benefit all members of society.

Moreover, Florida stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation, boasting world-renowned medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Whether it’s pioneering treatments for tropical diseases or spearheading breakthroughs in biomedical research, Florida’s medical landscape allows students to make tangible contributions to the field of medicine.

On top of that, Florida’s distinctive blend of geographical features, including its expansive coastline, vibrant wetlands, and subtropical climate, offers students unparalleled opportunities for exploration and adventure. Florida’s natural beauty fosters a balanced lifestyle that complements the demands of academic life. Such diverse outdoor experiences not only enrich students’ physical well-being but also nurture a sense of environmental appreciation and mindfulness amidst their educational journey.

Medical Schools in Florida – Next Steps

Once you’ve scoped out Florida medical schools, it’s time to tackle the application process head-on:

• Establish a precise application timeline tailored to each institution.
• Devise a structured MCAT study plan to ensure readiness for the exam.
• Collect impactful letters of recommendation from mentors and professionals.
• Craft and refine your personal statement to convey your unique journey and aspirations.
• Prepare diligently for interviews to showcase your suitability for each program.

This journey can feel like a whirlwind, but remember, becoming a doctor or surgeon takes grit. Becoming a is a long, arduous process. Stay focused, stay passionate, and you’ll come out stronger on the other side, ready to take on medical school!