The Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Medical School (2024)
/Learn how the best liberal arts colleges prepare their students for med school and determine if this is the right premed education for you
identifying the best liberal arts colleges for medical school can help set your child up for success as a premed
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Part 1: Introduction
Colleges today boast hundreds of majors, from astrobiology to comic art to theme park engineering, and everything in between. With so much to choose from, some students with their sights set on becoming doctors may wonder if they have to miss out on the veritable fairground of undergraduate studies.
The good news is: according to the AAMC, only 57 percent of entering medical students in 2023 held degrees in biological sciences. What did the other half major in? Some opted for the humanities, while many others went the route of physical and social sciences—all of which fall under the umbrella of a liberal arts education.
| Major | |||||||||
| Biological Sciences | |||||||||
| Humanities | |||||||||
| Math and Statistics | |||||||||
| Physical Sciences | |||||||||
| Social Sciences | |||||||||
| Specialized Health Sciences | |||||||||
| Other | |||||||||
| All Majors | |||||||||
In fact, when taken as a whole, students whose majors were outside of the biological sciences matriculated into medical school at a higher rate than students with biological science majors. So, there’s no need to worry if your premed child wants to study something along the lines of English, art history, psychology, or sociology.
You may have imagined premed students crammed together in huge lectures on anatomy and physiology. While those lectures are part of a premedical education, it’s equally legitimate for your child to choose a smaller campus where they can take seminars on non-medical or non-biological subjects.
At a liberal arts college they might still pursue a biological sciences major, supplementing it with humanities and social science courses in a way that may not be possible at a large research institution.
(Suggested reading: The Best Premed Majors to Get Into Medical School)
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Part 2: What is a liberal arts college and how is it different from a university?
When parents hear the term “liberal arts college,” they might furrow their brows and wonder what sort of education these institutions provide. In short, liberal arts colleges emphasize undergraduate study across a wide variety of subjects including the arts, sciences, and humanities. Although this traditional definition does not differentiate it significantly from a university, there are some notable differences between the two.
Liberal arts colleges
Primarily invest resources in undergraduate education
Lower total number of students enrolled (smaller classroom sizes)
Teaching styles tend to rely on smaller classroom discussions
Easier access to faculty
More opportunities to get involved in a leadership role
Universities
Invest resources in both undergraduate and graduate educations
Higher total number of students enrolled (larger classroom sizes)
Teaching style tends to rely on large lecture halls
More nationally recognized faculty
More research opportunities and available options already established
Ultimately, the decision to pursue a liberal arts college or university depends on a combination of factors, ranging from your child’s preferred learning style to the types of extracurricular activities they hope to take advantage of.
As your child decides between a liberal arts college and university, one of the most important questions to ask is, “How do they learn best?” If they prefer a smaller community of students and easier access to faculty, a liberal arts school could allow them the opportunity to thrive. On the other hand, maybe they’re determined to get involved with biological research with a faculty member who already has an established lab. In that case, they should focus on larger institutions that offer students the opportunity to personalize their research interests.
But, most importantly, as long as your child’s college provides an enriching experience and allows them to achieve at a high level academically, they will be well equipped to get accepted into medical school and succeed as a physician. Top liberal arts schools, such as the ones listed below, will offer premed students excellent opportunities to secure a spot in medical school after graduation.
Can my child get a liberal arts education at an Ivy League or other university?
Liberal arts colleges aren’t the only schools that offer a liberal-arts-style education. Many universities also emphasize liberal arts tenets, such as in-depth classroom discussion and learning broadly across academic disciplines. Typically, this type of education can be found in a university’s College of Letters and Science, College of Arts and Science, or another similarly named division.
Nevertheless, not all liberal arts style educations are equal. Deciding which college or university to attend can radically influence how medical schools interpret your application. Aside from small liberals arts colleges, both Ivy League schools and so-called “Public Ivies” offer phenomenal, rigorous programs that admissions teams will look favorably upon. These schools wed the benefits of a large research institution to the philosophy of a liberal arts education—the idea that studying widely, without necessarily having a pre-professional aim, is beneficial no matter where it leads.
Public Ivies (such as the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, University of Texas–Austin) offer top liberal arts programs as well as science degrees. A premed educations at any of these schools will prepare you to do well on the MCAT and get you one of those coveted acceptances. The UC system, in particular, is chock full of Public Ivies (such as UC Berkeley and UCLA) that offer students both liberal arts curricula and a wealth of research opportunities.
(Related reading: How to Get Into Ivy League Schools and The Best Premed Schools in California)
Liberal arts colleges vs. universities
Deciding where to pursue your undergraduate degree depends on your intended major, your preferred learning style, and how you want to spend four years as an undergrad.
Small liberal arts colleges like Swarthmore and Williams have total undergraduate enrollments of about 2,000 students or less, whereas mid-size private schools like Johns Hopkins and Washington University in St. Louis boast total undergraduate enrollments of about 6,000 and 8,000, respectively.
This means that the class sizes your child encounters in the liberal arts college will be significantly smaller, especially when it comes to premed basic science requirements. Does a big lecture hall of several dozen students suit your child, or do they prefer smaller groups with more individualized attention and greater opportunities to stand out?
One benefit of smaller schools is that your child can form relationships with professors both in and out of the sciences, and network with mentors more easily. This will give them a leg up when it comes to securing top-notch letters of recommendation for medical school. We’ve seen many premed applicants come in from large universities who have lots of research experience but lack personal relationships with their professors because their premed science courses were overrun and office hours were too crowded.
It's also important to note that most schools require a letter of recommendation from a non-science faculty member. This requirement emphasizes the importance of student work outside the science realm. Medicine is becoming more and more interdisciplinary, with growing emphases and progams focused on ethics, informatics, communication, and team collaboration. A liberal arts school might prepare you child for this trend, while offering them the chance to get a fantastic non-science letter—one that sets them apart from every applicant at a large research university who asked their biology lecture professor.
In addition, faculty at smaller schools are often under less pressure to “publish or perish.” They may have chosen to work at these colleges because they have a deep commitment to pedagogy as opposed to competing for grant money or becoming public figures in their field. This can rub off on the students at these colleges as well, creating a less competitive atmosphere that results in a healthier, more sustainable education experience.
One flip side, however, is that faculty at larger universities tend to be leading scholars in their area of expertise. And, attending larger schools may provide students with more exposure and opportunities for research. Many universities host research fairs and a variety of clubs that help students get involved with scientific investigation. There is significantly less emphasis on research within a liberal arts college. Which is not to say, however, that these opportunities don’t exist or that cutting edge research isn’t taking place at these institutions. Many liberal arts colleges, in fact, have made significant investments into the sciences in recent years. See, for instance, Vassar College’s new Bridge Building for Laboratory Sciences.
How can students at a liberal arts college get involved in research?
Students attending liberal arts colleges can reach out to their school’s research labs and inquire about work opportunities. For example, Williams College encourages incoming students, as well as current students, to pursue both summer and winter research opportunities with biology faculty. They also offer students the opportunity to study at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, which is predominantly affiliated with MIT.
Although liberal arts colleges may not always have several research facilities on sight, as you can see from the above example, they typically develop extensive networks with partner universities. Schools usually offer an annual lab open house to provide students with information on what sort of opportunities are available to them. Many liberal arts colleges also offer honors research projects, which are often semester-long courses that culminate in a scientific publication—something sure to impress a medical school admissions committee.
The takeaway: if your child wants a small liberal arts experience for college and plans on attending medical school, they should be prepared to make a comprehensive plan to make up for their school’s weak spot—a dearth of major research labs. Keep in mind, however, that while students at small liberal arts colleges typically have fewer overall opportunities to get involved with research, there is also a silver lining: less competition for the opportunities that are available.
Do liberal arts colleges offer resources and support for premeds?
The short answer is: yes. It is important to remember that liberal arts colleges are cognizant that there are hundreds of hopeful premed students at their institutions. Many schools, especially those that are highly ranked, offer students thorough guidance on how to take advantage of the premed opportunities they provide. There are health sciences offices, advisory committees, healthcare-related experiences, volunteer opportunities, and networking events all organized for premed students.
Liberal arts colleges also tend to have significantly fewer students enrolled, so they are often able to provide customized support. Premed advisory groups can help connect liberal arts students with research mentors, volunteering and shadowing opportunities, and tutoring services to help them thrive.
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Part 3: The best liberal arts colleges for medical school
We’ve listed our picks for the best liberal arts colleges for medical school below, taking into account factors such as: each school’s medical school acceptance rate, how many students from each school apply to medical school, reputation, and U.S. News & World Report rankings.
When viewing each college’s medical school acceptance rate, keep in mind that the national medical school acceptance rate is currently 41 percent.
(Note: Unless otherwise noted, “Number of medical school applicants” refers to the number of students and alums who applied to enter medical school in Fall 2024. “Medical school acceptance rate” refers to the rate at which graduates of these liberal arts colleges get into at least one medical school.)
U.S. News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 1
Location: Williamstown, MA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 8%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
U.S. News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 2
Location: Amherst, MA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 7%
Number of medical school applicants: 58
Medical school acceptance rate: 75–80% on average
U.S. News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 4 (tie)
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 7%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 81% in 2022
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 4 (tie)
Location: Pomona, CA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 7%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 85%
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 4 (tie)
Location: Wellesley, MA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14%
Number of medical school applicants: 54
Medical school acceptance rate: 77% in 2019
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 9 (tie)
Location: Brunswick, ME
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 9%
Medical school acceptance rate: 87% average over the last 15 years
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 9 (tie)
Location: Northfield, MN
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 17%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 82% average over the past 5 years
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 11 (tie)
Location: Middlebury, VT
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 13%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 91% over the past 5 years
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 11 (tie)
Location: Grinnell, IA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 11%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 66%
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 11 (tie)
Location: Middletown, CT
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14%
Number of medical school applicants: 52
Medical school acceptance rate: ranged from 65–76% over the last 5 years
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 11 (tie)
Location: New York, NY
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 9%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 84% who have at least a 3.5 GPA and 510 MCAT
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 16 (tie)
Location: Davidson, NC
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 17%
Number of medical school applicants: 60 (13–15% of each class apply to medical, dental, or veterinary school each year)
Medical school acceptance rate: 79% of first time applicants get into medical, dental, or veterinary school
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 16 (tie)
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 19%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 88%
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 16 (tie)
Location: Northampton, MA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 23%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 80% of “qualified applicants” (applicants who graduated with GPAs of 3.7 or higher and MCAT scores of 512 or higher)
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 21 (tie)
Location: Haverford, PA
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: previously reported as 95% between 2015 and 2020
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 21 (tie)
Location: Hamilton, NY
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 12%
Number of medical school applicants: 51
Medical school acceptance rate: 75% in 2022
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 24
Location: Lewiston, ME
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: Roughly 75%
News & World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 25 (tie)
Location: Waterville, ME
Undergraduate acceptance rate: 8%
Number of medical school applicants: <50
Medical school acceptance rate: 68%
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Part 4: What medical schools should a liberal arts student apply to?
As your child reaches the end of college and prepares to apply to medical school from a liberal arts college, they may want to consider which admissions committees seem predisposed to accepting liberal arts grads.
If your child majored in, say, history or anthropology, they can take into account which medical schools accept high rates of non-biological science majors when creating their medical school list, among other factors. For example, among the 2021 entering class at Brown’s Alpert School of Medicine, 45 percent majored in the humanities or social sciences.
Additional schools where humanities and social science majors are readily accepted can be found here. MSAR is another highly useful resource that reports the percentage of science/math majors among each medical school’s latest entering class.
Nevertheless, your child’s major doesn’t reflect whether they’ve attended a liberal arts college or a university. The fact of the matter is that your child can major in any discipline at either type of institution. Plenty of liberal arts students graduate with majors in the biological sciences.
And, to reiterate an earlier point, your child’s major has little to do with how likely they are to get into medical school. Far more important are factors like their GPA, MCAT score, and medical school personal statement.
Final Thoughts
When determining whether a liberal arts college or a university will better prepare your child for medical school admissions success, the most important factor to consider is which environment will allow them to thrive. This will be different for every student and it will also depend on the particularities of the schools themselves. Within the category of “liberal arts” there is still a great deal of variation. We encourage you to visit colleges and explore their individual options in greater depth in order to find the premed experience that is right for your child.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.
