Top Medical Schools in Virginia: The Best Programs for Future Doctors
Virginia is home to some of the best medical schools in the United States, offering MD, DO, and specialized healthcare programs. Whether you’re looking for a traditional medical school, osteopathic medicine, or biomedical research programs, Virginia has high-ranking institutions with strong clinical training, research opportunities, and financial aid options.
Below is a list of the top medical schools in Virginia, with details on their curriculum, admissions, and financial aid resources.

Top Medical Schools in Virginia
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Summary:
The University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine is one of the top-ranked medical schools in the country, known for its cutting-edge research, innovative curriculum, and strong clinical training. It offers an MD program, dual-degree MD/PhD, and various residency programs.
- Website: UVA School of Medicine
- Financial Aid: UVA Medical Financial Aid
Key Features:
- Ranked among the top 30 medical schools in the U.S.
- Integrated curriculum with early clinical exposure
- Research opportunities in cancer, neuroscience, and cardiovascular medicine
- Strong residency placement in top hospitals
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine
Summary:
The VCU School of Medicine (also known as the Medical College of Virginia) is Virginia’s oldest medical school, offering a highly regarded MD program, PhD, and dual-degree options. Located in Richmond, VA, it provides extensive clinical training and research opportunities.
- Website: VCU School of Medicine
- Financial Aid: VCU Financial Aid
Key Features:
- Strong focus on primary care and medical research
- Located in an urban setting with diverse patient populations
- MD, MD/PhD, and MD/MPH programs available
- Affiliated with VCU Health, a top-ranked teaching hospital
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
Summary:
EVMS is a unique community-focused medical school, offering an MD program, physician assistant (PA) program, and public health degrees. It is not part of a larger university, allowing it to focus entirely on healthcare education and research.
- Website: EVMS School of Medicine
- Financial Aid: EVMS Financial Aid
Key Features:
- Strong emphasis on patient-centered care and primary care medicine
- High residency match rate in various specialties
- Located in Norfolk, VA, with access to major hospital systems
- Offers MD, PA, and biomedical research programs
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM)
Summary:
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) is a relatively new medical school, but it has quickly become known for its research-driven curriculum and small class sizes. The school integrates problem-based learning with early clinical experiences.
- Website: VTCSOM
- Financial Aid: VTCSOM Financial Aid
Key Features:
- Small class sizes for personalized education
- Research-focused MD curriculum
- Affiliated with Carilion Clinic, providing hands-on clinical training
- Strong match rates for competitive residency programs
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM)
Summary:
LUCOM is a private osteopathic medical school that focuses on training DO physicians. The curriculum emphasizes preventive medicine, holistic patient care, and primary care training.
- Website: LUCOM
- Financial Aid: LUCOM Financial Aid
Key Features:
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program
- Strong emphasis on rural and underserved healthcare
- State-of-the-art medical training facilities
- Christian faith-based approach to medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia)
Summary:
VCOM-Virginia is a highly respected osteopathic medical school that focuses on training primary care doctors for rural and underserved communities.
- Website: VCOM-Virginia
- Financial Aid: VCOM Financial Aid
Key Features:
- DO program with an emphasis on rural healthcare
- Strong partnerships with hospitals and clinics across Virginia
- Clinical training begins early in the program
- High match rates for residency programs
Which Medical School in Virginia is Right for You?
Virginia has a variety of medical schools catering to different career goals. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right program:
- For a top-ranked, research-focused MD program: Choose UVA School of Medicine.
- For strong clinical training in an urban setting: Consider VCU School of Medicine.
- For a community-focused medical school with strong clinical experience: EVMS is a great choice.
- For a small, research-intensive MD program: VTCSOM is an excellent option.
- For a holistic, osteopathic approach to medicine: Consider LUCOM or VCOM-Virginia.
Each of these medical schools offers unique opportunities for students to excel in medicine, whether through cutting-edge research, clinical training, or primary care development.
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