Get Smart: A Quick List of America’s Top Health Care & Medical Schools

By Rick Fromme

In one of my recent blogs, “Health Care Job Outlook is Jammin’!” I listed the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ top dozen medical/health care professions that are expected to grow between 2012 and 2022.  Correspondingly, here are U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for educational programs (undergraduate and, where appropriate, graduate) for the top twelve-listed medical/health care professions. To remain consistent with my previous blog, I’ve listed the specialties in their sequentially ranked order. Note that in some instances, several institutions tied for certain placements, whereas other placements aren’t even listed. In situations where no school/program rankings were published for a given specialty, I provided links where you can research more information.

Dentist*

The Dentist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the oral cavity, along with providing advice and administering care to help prevent future problems.

#1 University of Pennsylvania

#2 University of California at San Francisco

#3 University of Michigan

#4 University of Florida

#5 Boston University Herman M. Goldman School of Dentistry

#6 New York University

#7 University of Maryland

#8 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

#9 University of Southern California

#10 Everest College – Los Angeles

Adult Nurse Practitioner*

In an adult nurse practitioner program, students are trained to work with older patients in a variety of settings, including urgent care, primary care, and Specialty units.

#1 University of Pennsylvania

#2 University of California – San Francisco

#3 University of Washington

#4 Columbia University

#4 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

#6 University of Pittsburgh

#7 Rush University

#8 University of Maryland – Baltimore

#9 Yale University

#10 Duke University

#10 University of Alabama - Birmingham

Pharmacist

Pharmacy graduate programs offer advanced education for students seeking master’s or doctoral-level pharmacy (PharmD) degrees.  

#1 University of California – San Francisco

Various pills (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#2 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

#3 University of Minnesota

#4 University of Austin – Texas

#5 University of Kentucky

#5 University of Wisconsin – Madison

#7 Ohio State University

#7 Purdue University

#7 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

#10 University of Arizona

#10 University of Southern California

# 10 University of Utah

#10 University of Washington

Registered Nurse

Graduate nursing degrees provide students seeking advanced nursing positions with the education they need to excel. 

#1 Johns Hopkins University

#2 University of Pennsylvania

#3 University of Washington

#4 University of California – San Francisco          

#5 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

#6 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

#7 Duke University                                              

#7 Oregon Health and Science University

#7 University of Pittsburgh

#7 Yale University

                                                                                                                                                                 

Check Out MedMasters' Nursing Video

    

Physical Therapist (Physical Therapist Assistant)

Graduate level physical therapy programs and schools offer advanced education for students seeking physical therapy graduate degrees.

#1 University of Southern California

#2 University of Delaware

#3 University of Pittsburgh

#3 Washington University in St. Louis

#5 University of Iowa

# 5 US Army-Baylor University

#7 Emory University

#7 MGH Institute of Health Professions

#9 Northwestern University

#9 University of Miami

#9 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Physician

Top medical schools provide the required advanced education to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) professional degree and prepare graduates to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Many offer specialized training such as obstetrics or surgery.

Operating Room (Photo credit: Jeff Kubina)

#1 Harvard University

#2 Stanford University

#3 Johns Hopkins University

#4 University of California – San Francisco

#4 University of Pennsylvania

#6 Washington University in St. Louis

#7 Yale University

#8 Columbia University

#8 Duke University

#8 University of Chicago

#8 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygiene programs provide a required entry level and advanced professional dental hygienist training. Certificate, Bachelors, and master’s level programs are all available. For a list of schools and programs by state, visit American Dental Hygienists Association’s Website: www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs.

Physician Assistant

Graduate-level physician assistant schools and programs offer advanced education for students seeking either a master’s or doctorate degree.  

Stethoscope (Photo credit: Walt Stoneburner)

#1 Duke University

#2 University of Iowa

#2 University of Utah

#4 Emory University

#4 George Washington University

#6 Baylor College of Medicine

#6 Oregon Health and Sciences University

#8 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Newark

#8 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas

#8 University of Washington

Occupational Therapist

Graduate-level occupational therapy schools and programs offer advanced education for students seeking a master's or doctorate degree in the field.

#1 University of Southern California

#2 Boston University – Sargent

#2 Washington University in St. Louis

#4 University of Illinois – Chicago

#5 University of Kansas Medical Center

#6 Colorado State University

#6 Thomas Jefferson University

#6 Tufts University – Boston School of Occupational Therapy

#6 University of Pittsburgh

#10 New York University

#10 University of Florida

#10 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Phlebotomist ***

Phlebotomists are trained in procedures for safely extracting blood samples from humans. Certificate and diploma programs are offered at colleges and universities around the country.

US Navy 040921-N-4374S-002 Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jude Pineda draws a blood sample from a crew member during an annual physical (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#1 University of Alaska

#2 Mountain State University

#3 Madison Area Technical College

#4 Goodwin College

#5 Ferris State University

#6 Dixie State College of Utah

#7 Davenport University

#8 Columbia Basin College

#9 Bellevue College

#10 Baker College of Auburn Hills

Veterinarian

Graduate level schools of veterinary medicine offer advanced education for students seeking to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

#1 Cornell University

#2 University of California – Davis

Jasper recuperating (Photo credit: Animals Abused & Abandoned)

#3 Colorado State University

#3 North Carolina State University

#5 Ohio State University

#5 University of Pennsylvania

#5 University of Wisconsin – Madison  

#8 Texas A&M University – College Station

#9 Michigan State University

#9 University of Georgia

#9 University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

* www.usdentalschools.com/top_school_rankings

** For Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program rankings, visit: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pediatric-nursing-rankings.  For Family Nurse Practitioner program rankings, visit: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/family-nursing-rankings. For Geriatric Nurse Practitioner program rankings, visit: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/geriatric-nursing-rankings.

*** http://education-portal.com/articles/Top_Schools_for_Phlebotomy.html

Rick Fromme combines entrepreneurial enthusiasm with an insider's knowledge of the medical industry to co-found MedMasters.com. Both his drive and perspective helps provide health care professionals with a superior mechanism with which to communicate, network and market their strengths. Prior to founding MedMasters.com, Rick operated a highly successful medical device distributorship. Other milestones in his 12-year career in the medical industry include a key position at a medical device start-up company that was later sold to the Ethicon Endo division of Johnson & Johnson. You may also reach Rick by connecting with him on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

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