Medical Scientist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 85 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best medical scientist schools.
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Choosing a Great Medical Scientist School
Where you study medical scientist matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Medical Scientist rankings. For our Best Overall Medical Scientist School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Medical Scientist Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in medical scientist. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 35 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full medical scientist program report for Harvard University
Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in medical scientist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Tufts University
Students looking for a strong medical scientist program will find one at Mayo Medical School, which ranked #3. Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Mayo Medical School awarded about 26 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $90,374 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,164 to complete this degree.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Mayo Medical School
Brown University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best medical scientist schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brown University awarded about 51 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Brown University
A rank of #5 makes Yale University one of the top schools for medical scientist. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 34 medical scientist degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Get the full medical scientist details for Yale University
University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for medical scientist this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 10 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans.
Read more about the medical scientist program at University Of California Irvine
Clemson University came in at #7 for medical scientist this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Clemson University awarded about 10 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783.
See the full medical scientist program report for Clemson University
Northwestern University earned the #8 position for medical scientist this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 32 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from Northwestern University earn around $124,451 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full medical scientist details for Northwestern University
Washington University In St Louis came in at #9 for medical scientist this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 17 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans.
Get the full medical scientist details for Washington University In St Louis
University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center came in at #10 for medical scientist this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 20 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center earn a median of $76,007 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in medical scientist from University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Oregon Health And Science University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Portland, Oregon Health And Science University is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 32 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at Oregon Health And Science University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, medical scientist degree recipients from Oregon Health And Science University generally make around $332,843. Oregon Health And Science University graduates carry a median of $32,059 in student loans.
Get the full medical scientist details for Oregon Health And Science University
Butler University landed the #12 spot for medical scientist this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 132 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $68,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Butler University
George Washington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 10 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from George Washington University earn around $73,749 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
More information about a degree in medical scientist from George Washington University
Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 15 medical scientist degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Medical Scientist graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Case Western Reserve University
Emory University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best medical scientist schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Emory University awarded about 13 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of Emory University earn a median of $188,661 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in medical scientist from Emory University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #16 among the best medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 13 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $49,718 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348.
Read more about the medical scientist program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #17 spot for medical scientist this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. About 19 medical scientist degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $89,719 in their early career. Medical University Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $29,043 in student loans.
See the full medical scientist program report for Medical University Of South Carolina
Vanderbilt University earned the #18 position for medical scientist this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 16 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $77,997 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
See the full medical scientist program report for Vanderbilt University
University Of Miami came in at #19 for medical scientist this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
Read more about the medical scientist program at University Of Miami
University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best medical scientist schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 32 medical scientist degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,276 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full medical scientist program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Vermont came in at #21 for medical scientist this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 33 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their medical scientist degree from University Of Vermont earn around $44,588 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans.
More information about a degree in medical scientist from University Of Vermont
University Of California San Francisco earned the #22 position for medical scientist this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public university. University Of California San Francisco awarded about 31 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $219,237 in their early career.
See the full medical scientist program report for University Of California San Francisco
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #23 position for medical scientist this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $200,264 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
See the full medical scientist program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai placed #24 among the best medical scientist schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai awarded about 32 medical scientist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the medical scientist program make about $78,125 in their early career.
More information about a degree in medical scientist from Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai
University Of California San Diego placed #25 among the best medical scientist schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 medical scientist students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Medical Scientist graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $121,264 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
Read more about the medical scientist program at University Of California San Diego
Rest of the Top 31 Medical Scientist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong medical scientist education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 85 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
