[Medicine](/majors/health-care-professions/medicine/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 195 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value medicine schools.
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Finding the Best Value Medicine School for You
Where you study medicine affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Medicine Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Medicine Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for medicine in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $67,163. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medicine, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Medicine graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in medicine will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Medicine graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $74,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Medicine graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $67,033. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in medicine will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #5. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Medicine graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Medicine graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $79,753 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in medicine this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $67,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for value in medicine this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the medicine program here. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $63,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #8 for value in medicine this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $20,115. Medicine graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $65,807 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for value in medicine this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Medicine graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $71,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the medicine program here. Medicine graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $62,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for medicine value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $62,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #12 among the best values for medicine. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in medicine this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $74,916. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #14 among the best values for medicine. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Medicine graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $61,710 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for medicine. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $58,404. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida International University came in at #16 for value in medicine this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $19,349. Early-career medicine graduates make about $64,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in medicine this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Medicine graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $60,293. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Utah earned the #18 position for value in medicine this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $20,798. Medicine graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $66,101 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #19 among the best values for medicine. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the medicine program here. Medicine graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $68,761 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #21 for value in medicine this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $67,270. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #22 among the best values for medicine. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Medicine graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $70,693. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Medicine graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Medicine graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $72,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Oakland University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medicine Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for medicine this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 ranked schools only.
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).
[Medicine](/majors/health-care-professions/medicine/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
