Medical Colleges in America
Medical colleges in America normally award the Doctor of Medicine degree rather than an MBBS qualification. Understanding how these schools are accredited, how they differ from one another and what they publish about admissions and outcomes is the foundation for building a realistic school list.
Published 2026-02-24 · Updated 2026-09-12 · Last verified 2026-09-12 · Medically reviewed 2026-09-12
Answer in brief
US medical colleges award either the MD, accredited by the LCME, or the DO, accredited by the COCA. Both lead to full licensure. Schools may be public, operated within a state university system, or private. Each school sets its own admission requirements, including whether it considers international applicants.
LCME accreditation explained
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredits MD programmes in the United States and Canada. Accreditation is a formal review against published standards covering curriculum, faculty, resources, student services and outcomes, and it is granted for a defined period subject to review.
- Only LCME-accredited programmes appear in this site's MD directory.
- Osteopathic colleges awarding the DO are accredited separately by the COCA.
- Accreditation status can change; each profile records the source and the date it was checked.
- Accreditation is not a ranking and does not distinguish schools by quality beyond the standard.
Types of medical colleges
| Type | Degree | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public MD school | MD | Operated within a state university system; often prioritises state residents |
| Private MD school | MD | Typically a single tuition rate for all students |
| Osteopathic college | DO | Accredited by the COCA; graduates hold full licensure rights |
| MD/PhD programme | MD and PhD | Extended research training, typically seven to eight years |
How to compare medical colleges
- Confirm accreditation status and the date it was verified
- Check whether the school considers international applicants
- Check prerequisite coursework rules, including whether US coursework is required
- Read the published cost of attendance for the year you would enter
- Look at how clinical training is organised and where it takes place
- Check what the school publishes about Match outcomes, and for which cohort
- Note which figures the school does not publish at all
A note on "MBBS colleges in USA"
Searches for MBBS colleges or MBBS universities in the USA refer to the same institutions covered here. No American medical college awards an MBBS as its standard qualification; the equivalent degrees are the MD and the DO.
Frequently asked questions
How many medical colleges are there in America?
There are well over a hundred LCME-accredited MD programmes plus a separate group of COCA-accredited osteopathic colleges. The authoritative current counts are published by the LCME and the AACOM.
Do American medical colleges award MBBS?
No. They award the MD or the DO. Both lead to full US licensure after residency and state board requirements are met.
Which medical colleges accept international students?
A limited number do, and policies differ by school and cycle. Use the directory filter and then confirm on the school's own admissions page.
What is the difference between MD and DO?
Both are full physician degrees with the same licensure rights. DO training includes osteopathic manipulative medicine and the colleges are accredited by a different body.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and outcome data change. Check each source for its own publication date.
- 1.Accredited MD programs in the United States — Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- 2.Osteopathic medical colleges and the DO degree — American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
- 3.Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) — Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- 4.Applying to medical school with AMCAS — Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Authorship and review
Reviewed for factual accuracy against publicly available primary sources. Requirements change; verify directly with the relevant school, accreditor, examination authority or licensing body.
Written by
MBBSinAmerica Editorial Team
Research and editorial desk
The editorial desk compiles US medical education information from accreditor publications, medical school websites, examination authorities and federal data releases, and records a source and verification date for every figure published.
Areas of expertise: LCME accreditation records, AMCAS and MD admissions processes, USMLE and ECFMG requirements, NRMP Match reporting.
Reviewed by
Medical Review Board
MD / MBBS reviewers with US graduate medical education experience · United States
Review panel members check that descriptions of degrees, examinations, accreditation and residency processes reflect the current published requirements of the responsible bodies, and that no page implies a guaranteed admission, examination or Match outcome.
Review date: 2026-09-12
Reviewers receive no payment from medical schools, test preparation providers or recruitment agencies, and review assignments are unrelated to advertising relationships.