Last Updated on January 28, 2024 by Michael Tijani
California, the most populated state and also the third-largest by area in the U.S. is home to various highly-ranked medical/tertiary institutions across the state. If you are a resident of California and a prospective medical student looking to cut costs while avoiding student debts from some of the overly expensive medical schools in California. In this article, we will take you by the hand and show you some of the cheapest medical schools in California where you can apply to start your career in the medical profession.
List Of The Cheapest Medical Schools in California
Below, we made a list of some of the cheapest medical schools in California to help you make an informed decision in your career journey, you will get to know the average GPAs, the in-state tuitions, the minimum MCAT scores, and the acceptance rates of these institutions.
1. California State University, Stanislaus
California State University, Stanislaus has a total of four (4) colleges that accommodate 45 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s degree programs and 2 graduate certificate programs, six (6) school credential programs, and a doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership.
The school offers pre-medicine courses and programs under its College of Science that prepare students for medical school.
It was ranked the #10 college in the United States by Social Mobility Index college rankings, the school is considered to have one of the most affordable medical colleges in California.
The school has a GPA of 3.5 or higher in grades 10, 11, and 12. High school English GPA of 3.3 or higher. Weighted math GPA of 3.5 or higher and completed an approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 (C- or better) in High school Biology and Chemistry with a grade of B (3.0 GPA) or better.
California State University, Stanislaus School of Medicine Acceptance rate: 19%
2. St. George’s University School of Medicine
St. George’s University has partnered with California State University, Fullerton to offer students an opportunity to obtain a BS/MD degree. Through the partnership, qualified students are able to pursue a career in medicine at St. George’s University following successful completion of the BS degree or pre-health professions certificate at CSU Fullerton. CSU students who apply and are admitted to the combined degree program may enter the four-year MD program at SGU upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree program.
3. UC San Diego School of Medicine
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine is the graduate medical school of the University of California, San Diego. It was established in 1968. It is the only medical school in the San Diego metropolitan area. The school is closely affiliated with the medical centers that are part of UC San Diego Health.
The most popular residency and specialty programs are internal medicine, anesthesiology, dermatology, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology (diagnostic), and surgery.
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.73 and an average MCAT composite score of 34.2 out of 45 and a 3.4% acceptance rate.
Tuition: $35,000 (in-state); $48,000 (out-of-state)
4. David Geffen School of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine is the medical school of the University of California, Los Angeles. The school was established in 1951. The David Geffen School of Medicine is an internationally recognized leader in research, medical education, and patient care.
The school was first established as The University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine before being renamed in 2001 in honor of media mogul David Geffen who donated a whopping $200 million in unrestricted funds. With an In-state Tuition of $42,266, the David Geffen School of Medicine is considered one of the cheapest medical schools in California. The school has an acceptance rate of 3.9%, with an average MCAT score of 517.
5. The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
- The average GPA is 3.78
- Acceptance Rate- 8.6%
- The Average MCAT is 514.5.
- Tuition: $33,000 (in-state); $45,503(out-of-state)
6. Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine is a faith-based medical school established in 1909. Since its establishment, the school has been training skilled medical professionals with a commitment to Christian service. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 0.7%. For the 2021 entering class, the average BCPM GPA was 3.77, the cumulative GPA was 3.83, and the average total MCAT score was 510.
In-state Tuition: $56,044
7. Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine is the medical school of Stanford University and is located in Stanford, California. The school was established in 1908.
The school offers various programs which include: neuroscience, immunology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and molecular biology.
Stanford University School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 2% with an In-state Tuition of $20,078 which makes the school amongst the cheapest medical schools in California.
8. UCSF School of Medicine
The University of San Francisco School of Medicine is the public research medical school of the University of California, San Francisco, it is located at the base of Mount Sutro on the Parnassus Height campus in San Francisco, California.
UCSF School of Medicine was founded in 1864 by Hugh Toland, and it is the oldest medical school in California and Western United States.
The University is dedicated entirely to health science, and its major centers are on medical and biological research and teaching. The school currently boost of a student body of about 1,428 students with 152 doctoral students. UCSF School of Medicine has an average GPA is 3.85
The UCSF School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 2%, with an average MCAT of 517.
Tuition: $35,000 (in-state); $47,000 (out-of-state).
9. UC Davis School of Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine’s average GPA is 3.0
- The average MCAT is 509.
- Tuition: $38,000 (in-state) / $49,000 (out-of-state).
- UC Davis School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 1.8%
10. ECU Brody School of Medicine
The Brody School of Medicine is a medical school at East Carolina University. It is a public medical school located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States.
Brody School of Medicine offers a Doctor of Medicine program, combined Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine / Master of Business Administration programs, and standalone Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Public Health programs. The college is fully accredited by the SACSCOC and also LCME.
The following are the requirements you would need for admission:
- Acceptance Rate: 8.00%
- Median GPA: 3.66
- Median MCAT: 508
- In-state Tuition: $8,416
Conclusion
Generally, most medical schools in California can be very expensive. The average annual cost of a public medical school is estimated at $49,842. While the average annual cost of a private medical school is estimated at $59,555. On average, an in-state resident pays $51,464 a year for medical school. On average, an out-of-state resident pays $57,933 per annum for medical school.
However, we have listed some of the cheapest medical schools in California where you can apply for studies without the fear of drowning in college debts.
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