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13 Cheapest Medical Schools in the USA for Canadian Students

Studying medicine in the USA is a wonderful option for Canadian students. Canadian medical schools are highly competitive, thus increasing the number of Canadian medical students waiting to get admission each year.

So, you can prepare to study at a medical school in the US (which has lesser competition) as a Canadian student. However, you may need to apply to Canadian-friendly US medical schools that are cheap.

You may not be choosing to study in the US medical school for a reason different from the admission rate. Some students love to explore new territories and meet new people. Some other students have always dreamt of studying in the US.

But whichever is the case, studying at a US medical school may be more expensive than its Canadian counterpart. Also, not all American US colleges and universities have student packages, like scholarships, that accommodate international students.

So, while you’re searching for affordable medical schools in the US, you should also search for the ones that are Canadian friendly. This could be a task too grueling for someone who just wants to head to the US and begin studying the program of their dreams.

We have chosen to save you this stress. In this post, we will hit two birds with a stone by sharing with you the cheapest medical schools in the USA for Canadian students. We will also explain the US medical school requirements for Canadian students and answer some questions you may be asking already.

Table of contents

The Cheapest Medical Schools in the US for Canadian Students

Let’s start by answering your major question, “What are the cheapest medical schools I can attend in the US as a Canadian student?”

Although there may be up to fifty medical schools in the US that you can attend, few are quite affordable. A fewer number still from these schools are Canadian friendly. By Canada friendly, however, we don’t mean that the other schools are hostile to International students, especially Canadians.

No, we only mean that some schools take a more active interest in their international students than others.

So, we’ll list thirteen of these Canadian-friendly US medical schools that are quite affordable. They are as follows:

  • East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
  • Emory University School of Medicine
  • Geisel School of Medicine (Dartmouth)
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Tulane University School of Medicine
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
  • State University of New York Upstate Medical University
  • John A. Burns School of Medicine (University of Hawaii)
  • Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Mayo Medical School
  • West Virginia University School of Medicine

1. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

Acceptance Rate: Unspecified

Tuition Fees: $23,232.60 (Annually)

The Brody School of Medicine (BSOM) is East Carolina’s medical school. It is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and is the newest medical school in the area. This Public Medical School began in 1969 and offers one of the best programs in family medicine.

The American Academy of Family Physicians ranked this US medical school 1st in North Carolina and 2nd in the country for family medicine in their 2017 MD-granting medical schools report.

BSOM is a Canadian and International student-friendly university with relatively cheap tuition. You can get an M.D. and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in this US Medical school.

Also, Brody School of Medicine runs several residencies, including the Family Medicine, and the Emergency program. It also runs fellowship programs in several sensitive areas of medicine, including Diabetes, and Infectious disease.

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To ensure that you attend the best medical school, see this updated World Best Medical School Rankings

2. Tulane University School of Medicine

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Tuition Fees: $31,686 (Full Time)

Tulane University School of Medicine is a private medical school in New Orleans, Louisiana. This medical school is the second oldest in the deep south. It began operation in 1834.

Tulane is an international and Canadian student-friendly medical school, although it’s a highly competitive school. However, the school has a very strong focus on public health research.

In 2001, Tulane started the Tulane Center for Gene Therapy. This was the first major center in the U.S. to focus on research using adult stem cells.

There are also various medical programs for you to study at Tulane University School of Medicine. This US school of medicine has 20 academic departments, including Anesthesiology, Biochemistry, Family and Community Medicine, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Neurosurgery.

Yet, 40% of its MD students in each class are concurrently enrolled as candidates for the Master of Public Health degree in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

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    3. State University of New York Upstate Medical University

    Acceptance Rate: 8%

    Tuition Fees: $32,580

    The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University is located in New York. It is an upper degree and Transfers SUNY health sciences university.

    The university is very friendly to Canadians and International students. Meanwhile, it has affiliations with hospitals throughout Central New York as well as partnerships with universities in the State to offer some of its degree programs.

    One of such universities it partners with is Syracuse University, which offers a joint Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering.

    Canadian students can take programs in SUNY Upstate Medical University’s College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Health Professions, and the School of Graduate Studies.

    From these medical units at this SUNY medical university, you can get an MD, MS, DPT (Physical Therapy), BS, BS, and BPS, and Ph.D. program in a variety of medical programs.

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    4. The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

    Acceptance Rate: 3.4%

    Tuition Fees: $41,330 (Annually)

    UC San Diego School of Medicine is proudly the only medical school in San Diego. It is located in La Jolla, California, and started operation in 1968. Additionally, the UC San Diego School of Medicine is the University of California’s graduate medical school.

    US News ranked UC San Diego’s Medical School’s research 18th in 2017. And coupled with the fact that it is a Canadian friendly school, it could just be the right school in the US for you to study medicine.

    There are various programs you can take in this cheap US medical school aside from its traditional MD program. UC San Diego also offers MD/Ph.D. programs, 8-year M.D Programs, Masters in Bioengineering, and Ph.D. programs. You can study any of these and enjoy interesting and vibrant student life.

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    If you’re in the Caribbean region of the world and can’t afford a US medical school, see the 15 Best Caribbean Medical Schools with their Ranking, Acceptance Rate, and Tuition

    5. University of California, Los Angeles

    Acceptance Rate: 4.5%

    Tuition Fees: $42,266 (Annually)

    The
    University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) medical school is another Canadian
    friendly US medical school. This medical school took the name David Geffen
    School of Medicine at UCLA in 2001, in honor of media mogul, David Geffen, who
    donated $200 million funds to the school. Meanwhile, this US medical school
    began operation in 1951 and has been offering quality degree ever since.

    As of 2015, US News ranked David Geffen school of medicine as the 12th school in the state with the best research.

    Thus, when you take this US medical school’s MD, MD/Ph.D., MD plus Master’s, and the school’s summer health program, be assured that you’re getting quality.

    The affordable tuition rates make studying medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine interesting for Canadian and international students.

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    6. University of California, Davis

    Acceptance Rate: 1.8%

    Tuition Fees: $49,931

    The University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine is the medical school associated with UC Davis. It is one of the six University of California medical schools in California.

    This public university medical school began operating in 1966 and offers International students a cheap, quality M.D degree, dual M.D degree, M.S, and training and certificate programs.

    However, UC Davis medical school is quite competitive, making it almost no different from Canadian medical schools. But ranking 9th in US News best schools in the US by subject for Primary Care Methodology, UC Davis medical school is worth studying at.

    Also, you’ll feel a sense of making an impact in the world by training and offering services in one of UC Davis student clinics. These clinics offer free primary care to the uninsured, low-income, and other underserved populations of Sacramento and surrounding areas.

    7. Georgetown University School of Medicine

    Acceptance Rate: 3%

    Tuition Fees: $53,598

    Georgetown University School of Medicine began in 1851 as one of Georgetown university’s five graduate schools. This medical school, which is located in Washington, has an affiliation with the Jesuit Roman Catholic.

    This makes Georgetown a Catholic medical school, and having started operation in 1851, it is the oldest Catholic medical school in the US. one attractive feature of this US medical school is its groundbreaking research.

    Richard Schlegel developed the technology that led to the introduction of the HPV vaccine at Georgetown Medical Centre.

    So, why you will benefit from studying at this Canadian friendly qualitative US medical school, you’ll also be paying an affordable tuition fee.

    Like many other medical schools in the US, Georgetown also offers joint M.D degree programs such as the MD/Ph.D., MD/MBA, MD/MS, and BA/MD degree programs.

    Additionally, Georgetown University School of Medicine offers over twenty (20) medical programs including Cell Biology, Neurosurgery, and Family Medicine.

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    Many Africans studying medicine in Canadian medical schools are under one of these 10 Best Medicine Scholarships In Canada For Students From Developing Countries

    8. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

    Acceptance Rate: 6%

    Tuition Fees: $54,900

    John Hopkins University is associated with the John Hopkins University School of Medicine. It began operation as a private medical school in the US in 1893 and shares a campus with the John Hopkins Hospital.

    This is a medical school that has a long rich reputation. US News it as the 2nd best medical school in the US in its 2024 rankings. Also, John Hopkins hospital has been ranking as a top hospital in the US every year from 1991 to 2011.

    Canadians going to study at John Hopkins can take its M.D. Program or any of its other intensive programs. John Hopkins School of Medicine also offers graduate programs, M.D.-Ph.D. programs, Residency & Fellowship programs, and Postdoctoral Programs. These programs are quite affordable for Canadian students studying at the US medical school.

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    9. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

    Acceptance Rate: 2.1%

    Tuition Fees: $57,170

    The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS) is a large college with several medical schools. It is one of the top medical schools in the USA for Canadian students.

    This US medical school began in 1915 but has undergone a name change twice from inception till the present. Additionally, MCCMS is a Minnesota-based private medical school in the USA that has five schools offering medical degree programs.

    These schools are the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine, Health Sciences, Continuous Professional Development, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

    Canadian students studying at this US medical school can take cheap M.D., M.D.-Ph.D., M.D.-M.S., and M.D.-O.M.S. degree programs. At Mayo Clinic, there is just no shortage of medical programs and courses for you.

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    Have you tried the Pathways to Medicine Scholarship?

    10. Geisel School of Medicine (Dartmouth)

    Acceptance Rate: 6%

    Tuition Fees: $63,080

    The Geisel School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the USA for Canadian students. It is Dartmouth College’s medical school. (xanax) It is also the fourth oldest medical school in the United States, starting its operations in 1797.

    Thus, it is no surprise that the college holds some rich history, including taking part in the research that brought out the first clinical X-ray in 1896. If you’re a Canadian student who loves to share in the rich historical culture of an educational institution, then you should consider the Geisel School of Medicine.

    Also, coupled with the fact that Geisel School of Medicine is Canadian friendly is that its tuition rates are quite affordable. At Geisel, Canadian students can take its four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in certain fields.

    They can also take its Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs.

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    11. West Virginia University School of Medicine

    Acceptance Rate: 4%

    Tuition Fees: $63,207 (Yearly)

    The West Virginia University School of Medicine is West Virginia’s first medical school. This medical school began in 1902 in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is an international student-friendly university that offers several medical programs through its three campuses.

    Meanwhile, the Morganton campus also houses the schools of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. This makes it a Health community where students of like minds can socialize and build strong networks.

    West Virginia School of Medicine offers one of the largest numbers of residencies, internships, and fellowship programs in the US. You can take residency programs in Anesthesiology, Behavioral Medicine. Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Neurology, and several other medical disciplines.

    With its 13 centers in several branches of Medicine including the Cancer Institute, and Heart and Vascular Institute, studying medicine at West Virginia School of Medicine may just be the ideal option for Canadian students.

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    12. John A. Burns School of Medicine (University of Hawaii)

    Acceptance Rate: 5%

    Tuition Fees: $71,328

    The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is the University of Hawaii’s medical school. It began in 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has been offering qualitative medical degree programs ever since.

    JABSOM claimed the top spot for primary care in the country in US News 2016 medical Primary Care ranking. While it is a Canadian and international student-friendly medical school, this US school also offers affordable medical programs.

    In line with the medical school’s mission, JABSOM will train you to be a high-quality physician. Aside from its popular Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, JABSOM also offers Ph.D., MS-Ph.D., and BS degree programs.

    JABSOM also offers a number of MD Residency and Fellowship Training in areas including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Family Medicine, and Psychiatry.

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    Also, don’t forget to apply for the ongoing Fulbright Scholarship for International Students in the USA

    13. Emory University School of Medicine

    Acceptance Rate: 7%

    Tuition Fees: $76,500

    Emory University School of Medicine is a private university medical school in Atlanta, Georgia. This US medical school is the graduate medical school of Emory University.

    It started in 1854 as Atalanta Medical College and changed to Emory University School of Medicine in 1915. It is an ideal medical college for Canadian students to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

    Not only is the medical school affordable but one of the best in the States. It takes the 24th spot in US News’ 2024 best medical schools in the USA.

    Emory University’s School of Medicine offers some of the best dual degree programs that can enhance your medical career. Some of these degrees are the MD-Masters in Public Health, MD-Masters in Clinical Research, and MD-Masters in Business Administration.

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    What is the US Medical School Requirements for Canadians?

    The requirements for Canadian students to study in a medical school in the USA is not much different from studying in a Canadian medical school.

    Both countries require their medical students to score a high GPA. The GPA most medical schools in the USA require Canadian students to have is around 3.7.

    However, medical schools in the USA prefer MCAT scores to GPA since educational systems in the USA vary more across the country than in Canada. Meanwhile, the preferred MCAT scores Canadian students should have if they wish to study at a medical school in the USA is around 511.

    Also, most medical schools in the USA will require Canadian students to have academic work from an accredited institution. Which is to say that the Canadian student must have completed studying at a four-year college and acquired either a Bachelor of Science (B.S) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) from an accredited institution.

    Additionally, the Canadian student who is going to study at a medical school in the USA would likely provide letters of recommendation and transcript of all the colleges they have attended outside the USA.

    While all these requirements are mandatory, what sets apart medical schools in the USA from those in Canada is that the US system recognizes the qualities of the applicant more than the qualifications.

    For example, John Hopkins School of Medicine clearly states that in addition to academic requirements, their prospective M.D students but possess the following:

    • Academic Excellence
    • Leadership
    • Service, compassion, and humanism
    • Diversity, and
    • Ability to work in a team (or as part of a team).

    FAQs

    Why are Canadina schools competitive?

    The reason Canadian schools are so competitive is that there are very few medical schools in Canada with so many students applying.

    How many medical schools in Canada?

    There are currently only 17 medical schools in Canada, and because Canada needs very qualified doctors, the medical schools ensure to enroll the smartest students. They take a small number of promising students so these ones can get the best education in classes of less than a hundred students.

    How many accredited medical schools are in USA?

    The USA has a total of 176 accredited medical schools. However, 35 out of these number have accreditation for only Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees. Meanwhile, you are qualified to practice as a physician or doctor in the United States with either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a DO.

    How do I apply to medical schools in USA?

    To apply for a medical school in the USA either as a US, Canadian, or International student, you have to visit the website of your preferred school, view their medicine application requirements, then apply.
    Also, ensure to start your application long before the time it is due, present an all-around profile, wisely choose your references, apply for an MD-Ph.D., and prepare well for interviews.

    Can you bring your residency back to residency?

    Yes, you can bring your MD back home for a Canadian residency but you may be at a disadvantage. Canadian residency matching process highly favors medical school graduates from Canadian medical schools than Canadians who went to study in a USA medical school.
    This is why you should study Allopathic Medicine in a USA medical school than the Osteopathic Programs. This is because the Canadian matching system considers Osteopathic medicine Canadian students as International students.

    Can you stay in USA for your residency?

    Yes, you can stay in the U.S for your residency through the US matching system prefers U.S medical students. However, you’ll better your chances of having your residency in the US as a Canadian student if you possess a J-1 or H-1B visa.

    Conclusion:

    All hope is not lost to Canadian students who wish to study medicine. Even though Canadian medical schools are highly competitive, Canadian students have the option of studying medicine in a medical school in the USA.

    The good thing about this option is that while it may be easier for them to get admission into a Canadian friendly medical school, they will be able to find affordable ones and evade running into high student loans.

    Meanwhile, you may have to weigh your option of residency based on location before selecting a medical program in a US medical school. We believe that you found this post suitable as a guide for studying medicine as a Canadian student in a US medical school. So, feel free to leave us your opinion in the comment section below.

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