US News Best Medical Schools Ranking

The 2011 edition of the America's Best Graduate Schools guidebook by the U.S. News Media Group highlighted the leading institutions in various fields of graduate education, with specific attention given to medical schools in both research and primary care categories. Harvard University and the University of Washington stood out as the leaders in their respective categories—Harvard in research and Washington in primary care—further solidifying their dominance in the field of medical education.

Harvard University maintained its position at the pinnacle of the research rankings, holding the number one spot in the "Research Ranking" for medical schools. Harvard’s School of Medicine has consistently been a leader in the advancement of medical science and research, with faculty and researchers contributing to groundbreaking developments in fields such as immunology, cancer research, and neuroscience. The university's commitment to both fundamental and translational research ensures its continued place at the forefront of global medical education. Harvard’s affiliation with world-class hospitals and medical institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, provides students with unparalleled opportunities for learning and clinical training, further enhancing its reputation as a top-tier institution.

In the 2011 rankings, the University of Washington was placed at the top of the "Primary Care Rankings." This designation reflects Washington’s strength in providing education and training in primary care medicine, which is a critical area of focus for the U.S. healthcare system. The university’s School of Medicine is known for its strong emphasis on primary care, with a curriculum designed to train physicians who can provide high-quality, accessible care in a variety of settings, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The University of Washington’s commitment to primary care is also evident in its innovative programs such as the WWAMI program, which provides medical education in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, ensuring that primary care physicians are trained in diverse environments and can address the specific health challenges faced by different regions.

Among other institutions, Weill Cornell Medical College experienced an improvement in the 2011 rankings, rising from 18th to 16th place in the research category for schools of medicine. This improvement reflects the medical college's continued focus on cutting-edge research and the training of future medical professionals. As a part of Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medical College benefits from strong interdisciplinary collaborations across various fields, including biomedical engineering, public health, and business. The college’s research output has led to significant advancements in medical treatments and therapies, especially in the fields of cancer, cardiovascular medicine, and neuroscience. With a focus on combining basic science with clinical application, Weill Cornell continues to be a major player in medical research.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine also garnered significant recognition in the 2011 rankings, placing 2nd among the nation’s research-oriented medical schools, a rise from 3rd place in the previous year’s survey. Penn’s School of Medicine is known for its exceptional research in areas such as gene therapy, oncology, and infectious diseases. The school’s highly collaborative environment fosters innovation, and its close connections with the University of Pennsylvania Health System provide students with direct access to leading-edge clinical training. Penn’s reputation in research is complemented by its achievements in specialty areas, particularly in pediatrics, where it was ranked 2nd in the nation, and women’s health, where it was ranked 3rd. These rankings highlight the university’s commitment to both research and clinical excellence in a wide array of medical specialties.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a long-time leader in medical education and research, retained its strong position in the 2011 rankings. The school maintained its ranking at No. 3 overall and continued to be the leader in biomedical engineering, holding on to its top spot in that specialty. Johns Hopkins’ School of Medicine is renowned for its contributions to medical research, particularly in the fields of neuroscience, oncology, and cardiology. Its faculty members are leaders in their respective fields, and the institution's commitment to research is evident in its extensive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Moreover, the university's affiliations with Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the top medical centers in the country, provide students with exceptional clinical training opportunities. The school’s biomedical engineering program, housed in the Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering, is particularly noted for its integration of engineering principles with biological and medical research, making it a hub for innovation in medical technologies.

The University of Utah, which ranked 52nd in research and 25th for primary care in the 2011 rankings, showed notable improvement in the primary care category, moving up four spots from the previous year. This upward trajectory speaks to the university’s growing reputation for producing graduates who excel in providing comprehensive and patient-centered care. Utah’s School of Medicine emphasizes rural medicine, with a focus on training physicians who can serve in underserved areas of the state and beyond. In addition to primary care, the university received recognition in several specialty areas, including physician assistant training (ranked 4th), pharmacy (ranked 16th), physical therapy and family medicine (both ranked 19th), rural medicine (17th), and women’s health (18th). The university's comprehensive approach to medical education and its emphasis on community service make it an attractive option for students interested in serving diverse populations and tackling pressing public health challenges.

Overall, the 2011 U.S. News & World Report rankings highlighted the continued excellence and innovation in U.S. medical education. The rankings not only reflect the academic and research strengths of institutions such as Harvard, the University of Washington, Weill Cornell, and Johns Hopkins but also emphasize the increasing importance of primary care and specialized training in various areas of medicine. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, these medical schools are at the forefront of shaping the future of medicine through their groundbreaking research, clinical training, and commitment to public health. For prospective students, the rankings provide valuable insight into which institutions offer the best opportunities for pursuing a career in medicine, whether they are interested in research, primary care, or specialized fields.

Primary Care Rankings (top 10 list):
1. University of Washington
2. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
3. Oregon Health & Science University
4. University of Vermont
5. University of California-San Francisco
5. University of Colorado-Denver
7. Michigan State University
7. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of Massachusetts-Worcester
10 University of Iowa (Carver)

Research Rankings (top 20 list):
1. Harvard University
2. University of Pennsylvania
3. Johns Hopkins University
4. University of California-San Francisco
4. Washington University in St. Louis
6. Duke University
6. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
6. University of Washington
6. Yale University
10 Columbia University
11 Stanford University
11 University of California--Los Angeles (Geffen)
13 University of Chicago (Pritzker)
14 University of Pittsburgh
15 Vanderbilt University
16 Cornell University (Weill)
16 University of California--San Diego
18 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
18 Northwestern University (Feinberg)
20 Case Western Reserve University
20 Emory University
20 University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
20 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center--Dallas

Source: US News & World Report