Top Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy Ranking

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Rankings, is one of the most influential and widely recognized global evaluations of academic institutions. Among its various rankings is the ARWU’s Broad Subject Fields ranking, which includes categories like Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy (MED). This ranking provides a comprehensive comparison of universities’ performance and reputation in the fields of clinical medicine and pharmacy, assessing factors such as research output, institutional funding, and the quality of faculty members.

At the very top of the ranking in 2008 is Harvard University, a name synonymous with groundbreaking research and world-class academic achievement. Harvard’s dominance in the clinical medicine and pharmacy field reflects its centuries-long history of innovation and discovery. Home to the Harvard Medical School, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in the world, Harvard has consistently produced some of the most influential medical discoveries and developments in history. Harvard’s research output, financial resources, and state-of-the-art facilities contribute to its top ranking. Furthermore, the institution boasts a highly qualified faculty and a vast network of affiliated hospitals, all of which strengthen its ability to lead in clinical research and education.

Close behind Harvard is the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which holds the second spot in the 2008 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy rankings. UCSF is renowned for its dedication to advancing health and science through innovative research and medical education. With a strong focus on patient care, public health, and interdisciplinary research, UCSF has cemented itself as a leader in the global medical community. Its close integration with research institutions and teaching hospitals provides UCSF with the resources necessary to foster innovation and attract top talent from all over the world. UCSF’s commitment to advancing clinical research, particularly in translational medicine, has significantly contributed to its global standing.

The University of Washington - Seattle claims the third spot in this competitive list, solidifying its reputation as a leader in both clinical research and academic excellence. The University of Washington is notable for its contributions to numerous medical fields, particularly in areas such as epidemiology, biomedicine, and public health. The university is also home to one of the largest research institutions in the United States, and its collaborative partnerships with affiliated teaching hospitals and research centers enhance its ability to address pressing global health issues. The university's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across fields and innovation in translational research has strengthened its position as a global leader in clinical medicine.

In the fourth spot is Johns Hopkins University, a name well-recognized in the fields of medicine, research, and education. Johns Hopkins has long been celebrated for its pioneering research and its commitment to academic excellence. The institution’s School of Medicine is one of the most prominent medical schools worldwide, and its research has led to countless discoveries in the areas of infectious diseases, neuroscience, cancer, and more. Moreover, Johns Hopkins is notable for its emphasis on translating research findings into practical, real-world medical applications. Its strong emphasis on collaboration between disciplines has made it one of the most successful institutions for advancing clinical practice and pharmacy research.

Rounding out the top five is Columbia University, another institution with a long and distinguished history in advancing medical and pharmaceutical sciences. Located in New York City, Columbia’s strategic location allows it to connect with a wide network of hospitals, research centers, and other academic institutions. Columbia University has invested heavily in medical research, particularly in areas like pharmacology, biochemistry, and personalized medicine. The university’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary study has enabled it to contribute groundbreaking research and innovative treatments that address the most pressing health challenges.

The University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) is ranked sixth in the 2008 ARWU Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy rankings. UCLA is known not only for its academic achievements but also for its comprehensive medical research and innovative discoveries. The university’s highly ranked David Geffen School of Medicine stands as a cornerstone of UCLA’s success in this field. The institution is known for cutting-edge research in both clinical and translational science, combining innovation with a focus on global health. With significant financial resources and partnerships with affiliated hospitals and research centers, UCLA has cultivated a robust environment for research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center follows closely in seventh place. This institution is renowned for its research in a variety of medical fields, including oncology, neuroscience, and immunology. Texas Southwestern Medical Center is widely respected for its dedication to both research and education, contributing to the medical community through groundbreaking studies and clinical advancements. With its combination of academic rigor, innovative research, and collaboration, the institution has positioned itself as a major player in advancing the frontiers of clinical medicine.

In eighth place is the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, another leading institution recognized for its commitment to research excellence and interdisciplinary innovation. The University of Michigan’s health system and medical research programs are world-renowned, with contributions spanning a variety of fields, including pharmacology, cancer research, and public health. The university has placed a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, leveraging the expertise of its faculty members and research centers to address pressing medical and scientific questions. Its reputation is bolstered by both its commitment to innovation and its substantial resources.

The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, in ninth place, represents Europe’s strength in the clinical and pharmaceutical sciences. This Swedish institution is one of the most prestigious medical universities in the world and is highly regarded for its contributions to clinical research and innovation. The Karolinska Institute is also unique because it is closely associated with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, highlighting its global prestige and contributions to medical discovery. Its emphasis on translational research, innovation, and evidence-based practices has solidified its place as a leader in the global clinical and pharmaceutical research community.

Finally, the University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, in tenth place, completes the top ten list of institutions in the Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy category. The University of Pittsburgh is well-known for its strong research infrastructure and its contributions to clinical and translational research. Its medical school is celebrated for its focus on innovation and partnerships with hospitals and research institutions. The University of Pittsburgh has advanced research in areas like neuroscience, immunology, and cancer research, contributing groundbreaking discoveries to improve public health outcomes.

Below is the ranking of World Top 100 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy (MED) programs by ARWU Broad Subject Fields 2008:

World Rank in MED, Institution
1 Harvard Univ
2 Univ California - San Francisco
3 Univ Washington - Seattle
4 Johns Hopkins Univ
5 Columbia Univ
6 Univ California - Los Angeles
7 Univ Texas Southwestern Med Center
8 Univ Michigan - Ann Arbor
9 Karolinska Inst Stockholm
10 Univ Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
11 Stanford Univ
12 Univ Oxford
13 Mayo Clinic Coll Med
13 Univ Coll London
15 Univ Minnesota - Twin Cities
16 Univ Cambridge
17 Univ North Carolina - Chapel Hill
18 Yale Univ
19 Vanderbilt Univ
20 Univ Wisconsin - Madison
21 Univ Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
22 Univ Pennsylvania
23 Duke Univ
24 Tufts Univ
25 Univ California - San Diego
26 Imperial Coll London
27 Univ Toronto
28 Emory Univ
29 Univ Nottingham
30 Cornell Univ
31 Univ Texas Health Sci Center - Houston
32 Univ California - Berkeley
33 Massachusetts Inst Tech (MIT)
33 Univ Zurich
35 Boston Univ
36 Univ Leiden
37 Univ Munich
38 Kyoto Univ
39 Northwestern Univ
40 McGill Univ
41 Brown Univ
42 Univ Florida
43 King's Coll London
44 Univ Chicago
45 Univ Basel
46 Univ Milan
47 Univ Colorado Health Sci Center
48 Tokyo Univ
48 Univ Amsterdam
50 Univ Rochester
50 Univ Southern California
52-75 Baylor Coll Med
52-75 Case Western Reserve Univ
52-75 Erasmus Univ
52-75 Free Univ Amsterdam
52-75 McMaster Univ
52-75 New York Univ
52-75 Univ Arizona
52-75 Univ Bristol
52-75 Univ Cincinnati - Cincinnati
52-75 Univ Frankfurt
52-75 Univ Glasgow
52-75 Univ Helsinki
52-75 Univ Iowa
52-75 Univ Louvain
52-75 Univ Manchester
52-75 Univ Maryland - Baltimore
52-75 Univ Massachusetts Med Sch
52-75 Univ Melbourne
52-75 Univ Queensland
52-75 Univ Texas Health Sci Center - San Antonio
52-75 Univ Texas Med Branch - Galveston
52-75 Univ Utah
52-75 Univ Western Australia
52-75 Washington Univ - St. Louis
76-107 George Washington Univ
76-107 Georgetown Univ
76-107 Med Coll Wisconsin
76-107 Med Univ South Carolina
76-107 Rockefeller Univ
76-107 State Univ New York - Buffalo
76-107 Thomas Jefferson Univ
76-107 Univ Alabama - Birmingham
76-107 Univ Alberta
76-107 Univ Barcelona
76-107 Univ Bonn
76-107 Univ California - Irvine
76-107 Univ Copenhagen
76-107 Univ Freiburg
76-107 Univ Heidelberg
76-107 Univ Illinois - Chicago
76-107 Univ Laval
76-107 Univ Leuven
76-107 Univ Liverpool
76-107 Univ Manitoba
76-107 Univ Med & Dentistry New Jersey
76-107 Univ Miami
76-107 Univ Paris 05
76-107 Univ Sao Paulo
76-107 Univ Sheffield
76-107 Univ Southampton
76-107 Univ Tuebingen
76-107 Univ Utrecht
76-107 Univ Vermont
76-107 Univ Virginia
76-107 Uppsala Univ
76-107 Virginia Commonwealth Univ
* Institutions within the same rank range are listed alphabetically.

Source: Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)