University of Minnesota Medical School Maintains Top National Rankings in Primary Care and Research
U.S. News & World Report again places the Medical School among the nation’s top programs for training future physicians and advancing discovery.
The University of Minnesota Medical School remains among the nation’s leading medical institutions, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. The Medical School is again ranked in Tier 1 for Primary Care and Tier 2 for Research.
The rankings underscore the Medical School’s land-grant mission: training physicians to serve Minnesota communities while advancing discoveries that improve lives.
“These rankings are ultimately about our impact. They show that we are successfully preparing the next generation of physicians to serve Minnesota and pushing the boundaries of science to find new cures,” said Carol Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, interim dean of the Medical School and interim executive vice president for health affairs. “In my time at the University of Minnesota, I have already seen incredible passion from our faculty and students. I am proud to be on this team and look forward to continuing to support the vital work we are doing together for our patients and our state.”
The Medical School’s Tier 1 placement in Primary Care reflects its strength in preparing students for primary care residencies and the high regard it has earned among residency directors nationwide. The ranking also underscores the Medical School’s efforts to address physician shortages in Greater Minnesota through rural training opportunities.
Its Tier 2 placement in Research speaks to the breadth and consistency of the school’s scientific enterprise, including work aimed at improving care for patients in Minnesota and beyond.
U.S. News & World Report bases its graduate school rankings on multiple factors, including peer assessment, research activity, and student selectivity. Together, the latest rankings reinforce the University of Minnesota Medical School’s national reputation in both medical education and research.