Illinois is a fantastic state for aspiring doctors. Overall, the medical schools in Illinois are very well-respected and a few of them consistently rank in the top 50 schools in the country.
But that means there’s competition. If you want to attend one of the medical schools in Illinois you’ll need to have an understanding of what’s expected if you want to get accepted.
In this list, we cover each of the Illinois medical schools and the info you need to know. From MCAT scores to general school history, it’s all here!
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
- Location: Champaign, IL
- GPA: 3.67
- MCAT: 512
- Tuition: $50,752 In-state, $62,992 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Public
Located in Urbana, Illinois, the Carle Illinois College of Medicine offers a unique approach to medical training. The school offers a traditional MD. However, this institute is one of the first in the nation that focuses on engineering and entrepreneurship.
As a student here, you will be trained to become an innovator in the field of medicine. Your studies aren’t going to be centered on the foundations of modern medicine. The curriculum is focused on innovation, research, and patient-centered care.
Rather than just listening to lectures or reading from a textbook, educators lead students through real-world healthcare problems. As a result, you’re able to use the things you learn in class in a realistic setting. You’ll understand the core foundations of medicine while also learning how to come up with unique solutions to common issues.
This Illinois medical school works closely with the Carle Health System. This group of hospitals and medical centers play a crucial role during your final years of education when you are completing your clinical clerkships.
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
- Location: North Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.73
- MCAT: 512
- Tuition: $58,434 In-state, $58,434 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Private
The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University is located in North Chicago. It’s one of the graduate medical school of Rosalind Franklin University.
What’s unique about this medical school in Illinois is that it is part of a larger educational institute that has over 30 healthcare and science programs. All of the colleges of Rosalind Franklin University are located on a single campus, putting all of the disciplines within reach. Thanks to the close proximity of the different departments, the school has gained a positive reputation for interdisciplinary education.
You can learn about various fields within your chosen industry. This can broaden your horizons and open up the possibilities of how you want to plan your education.
To help you get some hands-on medical experience early on, the school is home to a network of advanced simulation systems. The simulators and skill labs allow you to experience real-life medical procedures before you start your clinical rotations.
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
- Location: Maywood, IL
- GPA: 3.7
- MCAT: 510
- Tuition: $58,831 In-state, $58,831 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Private
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine is a relatively small school that’s designed to provide you with an intimate educational experience. It was founded in 1909 and has evolved quite a bit throughout its history. Today, the curriculum is focused on gaining clinical experience and learning how to work with patients on a more personal level.
You’re not going to find a traditional semester-based scheduling system at Stritch School of Medicine. During your first two years, you will learn the foundations of medicine in blocks. Each block focuses on a singular topic, allowing you to build upon those blocks as your education continues.
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine is a relatively small school that’s designed to provide you with an intimate educational experience. It was founded in 1909 and has evolved quite a bit throughout its history. Today, the curriculum is focused on gaining clinical experience and learning how to work with patients on a more personal level.
You’re not going to find a traditional semester-based scheduling system at Stritch School of Medicine. During your first two years, you will learn the foundations of medicine in blocks. Each block focuses on a singular topic, allowing you to build upon those blocks as your education continues.
The Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine offers several degree programs. In addition to the MD, you can enroll in a dual MD/PhD program. There are also many interdisciplinary research opportunities available to students throughout their years at the school.
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
- Location: Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.91
- MCAT: 520
- Tuition: $60,797 In-state, $60,797 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Private
Located in Chicago, Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine has been training healthcare professionals since 1859. It’s a research-intensive medical school that focuses heavily on collaboration and innovation.
As a student, you are at the center of the curriculum. The school refreshed its curriculum in 2012 to create a better environment for students. It’s designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of every student.
The Feinberg School of Medicine works to integrate the scientific foundations of medicine in a clinical context. This helps you retain the core skills you need to succeed, all while having your progressed assessed on an individual basis.
There’s no shortage of educational programs available at this school. You can enroll in the traditional MD, become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, or get your PhD in biomedical sciences. The school also offers a slew of Masters’s programs in conjunction with other Northeastern University schools.
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
- Location: Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.72
- MCAT: 511
- Tuition: $54,321 In-state, $54,321 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Private
Originally founded in 1837, Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center was one of the first medical schools in Illinois (and the Midwest). It continues to be a respected place of education for future physicians in the Chicago area.
The great thing about Rush Medical College is that it is located within the Illinois Medical District. This is home to many high-profile hospitals. Plus, it’s on the same campus as the Rush University Medical Center.
If you enroll at this school, you’ll have the opportunity to shadow working professionals in a wide range of hospitals around this area. The Illinois Medical District serves a diverse population, exposing you to different healthcare issues and communities.
During the first two years of your education at Rush Medical College, you will participate in system-based education. Students focus on one organ system at a time. The curriculum integrates material from core areas, giving you a better understanding of the human body.
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- Location: Springfield, IL
- GPA: 3.77
- MCAT: 508
- Tuition: $36,166 In-state
- Public/Private: Public
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is in Springfield. It’s a small school, so students are able to learn about their field in a small-group setting. Even still, the school offers several programs and opportunities to get experience.
Several dual-degree programs are available. The school also has 21 different residency programs that cover a wide range of disciplines.
Students at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine work to solve real-world problems from the beginning. The curriculum is problem-based. You are presented with clinical scenarios and must use the core scientific principles you learn to diagnose the “patient” and provide a care plan.
It’s a unique educational approach that challenges your skills and simulates the pressures of working as a professional physician. Real clinical clerkships are done during your final years. This medical school in Illinois does not have its own dedicated medical center. But, it works with several hospitals in the community.
University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine
- Location: Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.92
- MCAT: 521
- Tuition: $56,724 In-state, $56,724 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Private
The Pritzker School of Medicine is a private institution that’s a part of a large educational organization. It’s part of the University of Chicago’s Division of the Biological Sciences. While other medical schools operate relatively independently away from the primary campus, that’s no the case with Pritzker.
The school is located on the University of Chicago’s main campus in Hyde Park. As a student here, you will have the chance to be in an open social environment surrounded by students from many different programs. This can open up your interdisciplinary exposure while you focus on your core program.
Speaking of which, the Pritzker School of Medicine offers a couple of programs to choose from. There’s the main MD as well as joint doctorates. Students can also enroll in MD/PhD dual-degree programs and joint Master’s options as well.
Most of the clinical work you will do during your final years will occur at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Though, Pritzker also has a relationship with the NorthShore University Health System.
University of Illinois College of Medicine
- Location: Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.79
- MCAT: 514
- Tuition: $50,562 In-state, $97,497 Out-of-state
- Public/Private: Public
The University of Illinois College of Medicine is one of the biggest medical schools in the nation. Over 1,300 students are currently enrolled at the school. Unlike other institutes, the University of Illinois College of Medicine is not located in one single campus.
The school has four different locations throughout the state, offering plenty of flexibility for a diverse student population. The goal of the school is to prepare students for a challenging career in medicine while also strengthening the healthcare system in Illinois. Thus, a lot of the curriculum is patient-focused.
Once enrolled, you will be exposed to patients early on. The school concentrates heavily on the patient-to-physician relationship. Not only that, but it’s the prime opportunity to start developing your clinical problem-solving skills in a realistic setting.
The school grants degrees for several programs. These include the MD, many PhD programs, and joint options.
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Location: Downers Grove, IL
- GPA: 3.61
- MCAT: 507
- Tuition: N/A
- Public/Private: Private
The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as CCOM, is a part of Midwestern University. Founded in 1900, it’s one of the earliest medical schools to start accepting students in Illinois.
As the name would suggest, CCOM concentrates on Osteopathic medicine. This is a unique type of medicine that focuses on the patient rather than the ailment. Students learn how to improve a patient’s overall health to combat issues and provide life-long care.
There are many hospitals affiliated with CCOM. As a student, you can complete your clinical rotations at institutes like John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook Country, the Riverside Medical Center, and more.
Residency programs are offered as well. CCOM can train you for several disciplines, preparing you for the career you want.
What’s Next
Now that you have an understanding of the landscape when it comes to medical schools in Illinois, it’s time to start prepping the application process! You probably already have an idea about which schools are realistic and which ones might be a bit tricky.
If you want peace of mind when it comes to getting accepted, consider asking an expert for help (like us). We’ve helped countless students get into their ideal medical school over the years and can do the same for you.
Getting accepted to medical school doesn’t have to be stressful!
