U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of the top medical schools in the US, derived from data from 114 accredited medical schools throughout the country. The data includes student selectivity, research activity, and multiple other factors, to create several top ten lists, including those for specific specialties, and for general primary care.

When looking at potential medical schools, there are several factors worth considering. The first is the status of the school itself, particularly for the specialization you may want to focus on. While the University of Washington is the best for overall primary care, those seeking to focus on pediatrics would be better served at University of Pennsylvania – Perelman. The full breakdown can be found at US News.

The second consideration is tuition; particularly, how much will tuition run, and how does that compare with the expected earnings in your field? A student would not be well served by graduating with over half a million dollars in debt, and earning less than $100,000 per year. The stats on HCS World can help you find average earnings in the various fields.

The third most important consideration is enrollment. How stiff will the competition be, and how strong is your application? One can expect a lot more competition for those on the top medical schools list, though there is a great deal of competition overall in the medical field.

Finally, the state of the school bears consideration; you will be at this school for at least four years. If you’re used to Southern California’s climate, you may find Minnesota’s uncomfortable. Where it is in relation to where you are comfortable, both for the climate and the people (ie distance from family, friends, etc), is important to your overall happiness.

Bearing those in mind, the following is the list of the top medical schools for primary care: 

10. University of Wisconsin – Madison

With an enrollment of 698 students in the medical program, and tuition fees (as well as other university fees) totaling $24,937 for in-state students ($34,834 for out-of state) in 2013-2014, University of Wisconsin – Madison tied for ninth place with Michigan State University

9. Michigan State University

Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine was the second ninth place choice, with an enrollment of 1,252 students, and tuition and other fees amounting to $40,182 for students in-state ($84,141 for those out-of-state) during the 2013-2014 academic year.

8. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

A second Michigan school took the eighth place this year. University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor school of medicine has an enrollment of 687 students, and tuition costs and fees were $30,150 for in-state students ($48,098 for out-of-state students) in the 2013-2014 year. 

7. University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska’s Medical Center tied for the sixth place with the University of Minnesota. University of Nebraska’s enrollment is 510 students, and the tuition and other fees during the 2013-2014 year were $31,150 for in-state students ($70,654 for out-of-state students).

6. University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota is the second contender for sixth place in the top medical schools. The University of Minnesota’s medical program has an enrollment of 986 students, and tuition and other fees were $43,025 for in-state students ($54,920 for out-of-state students) during the 2013-2014 year.

5. University of Massachusetts – Worcester

The University of Massachusetts’ Worcester campus, like Christmas’ golden rings, takes the fifth place. The university’s medical school has an enrollment of 518 students, and tuition and assorted fees amounted to $22,887 for both in-state and out-of-state students, in 2013-2014.

4. University of California – San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco is in the number four place for the top medical schools, with an enrollment of 632 students, and tuition and fees of $35,696 for in-state students ($47,941 for out-of-state students) in the 2013-2014 school year.

3. Oregon Health and Science University

In the third position of the top medical schools sits Oregon’s Health and Science University. The enrollment is 528 students, and the tuition and fees during the 2013-2014 school year amounted to $40,654 for in-state students (or $55,822 for out-of-state students).

2. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hilltop medical schools

Coming in at second place this year is the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill’s medical school. Though it had held the number one spot last year, it was overtaken this year by the University of Washington. The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill has an enrollment of 811 students, and tuition and fees run at $19,446 for in-state students ($46,325 for out-of-state students) in the 2013-2014 academic year.

1. University of Washington

In the number one position of the top medical schools in the US this year sits the University of Washington. The enrollment for the University of Washington is 918 students, and tuition and other associated fees amount to $30,336 for in-state students (or $59,325 for out-of-state students) during the 2013-2014 school year.