Top HBCU Medical Schools of 2023
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- The Association of Medical Colleges reports that 5% physicians identified as Black or African American.
- Only six HBCUs operate medical schools today.
- HBCU medical schools work to eliminate healthcare disparities.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) medical schools fill diversity gaps in medicine. The Association of Medical Colleges reports that 5% of active physicians identify as Black or African American while 5.8% identify as Hispanic, and 17.1% identify as Asian.
Meanwhile over half (56.2%) of active physicians identify as white. HBCU medical schools correct these disparities.
In 2020, over 100 HBCUs existed in the United States, yet only six HBCUs operate medical schools. Although several HBCU medical schools trained African American and Black physicians in the 19th and early 20th centuries, these programs were forced to close due to limited resources.
Top Three Accredited HBCU Medical Schools
1. Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Howard University College of Medicine are among the top HBCU medical schools currently in operation.
Meharry Medical College, located in Nashville, Tennessee, was founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College. One of the oldest U.S. historically Black medical schools, Meharry is also one of the largest.
In 2019, Meharry graduated 88 students with a total of 742 graduates between 2009 to 2019. With an acceptance rate of only 1.19%, Meharry is selective, as the average acceptance rate for medical school is 6.30%.
Degree programs at Meharry include a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Each fall, the Meharry Alumni Association, Inc., awards a variety of scholarships, gifts, and financial assistance.
2. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
Morehouse School of Medicine was originally founded as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College in 1975. Between 2009 and 2019, Morehouse graduated a total of 417 medical professionals, reaching its largest graduating class in 2019 at 56 graduates. The acceptance rate at Morehouse is 1.31%.
Academic programs at MSM include Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS), Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS), Master of Science in Biomedical Research (MSBR), Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.).
The school offers a variety of grant and scholarship opportunities to enrolled students.
3. Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1868,Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) boasts “the largest concentration of Black faculty and student scholars in the country.” Degree programs at Howard include MD degrees, as well as dual degree programs for BS/MD and MD/Ph.D.
Howard University graduated 682 medical professionals between 2009 and 2019 with 71 graduates in 2019.
In fall 2021, HUCM accepted 122 students out of 11,211 applicants with an acceptance rateof 1.09%, according to Howard’s president, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick.
Students can apply for scholarships on Howard’s website, which also offers information on student loans and debt management.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Reasons to Consider an HBCU for Medical School
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of physicians to grow 3% by 2031. Medicine is a demanding field both to master and break into. This is especially true for people of color, many of whom do not feel welcomed or valued on traditional campuses.
According to Wayne A.I. Frederick, president of Howard University, only 5% of doctors were Black in 2018, half of which trained at Howard.
HBCUs train Black physicians, operating with cultural competency and fostering belonging for its students. Attend a top HBCU to find supportive learning environments where you’ll learn from and with people who accept your background and cultural experiences while working to eliminate healthcare disparities.
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