Nevada is one of the largest states in the United States, and the three med schools it has are great options for pursuing your medical education. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the best medical schools in Nevada and discuss all that you’ll need to get into them, so prep your college lists and questions to ask medical school admissions and read on.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) is the oldest medical institution in the state, established over 50 years ago. Next comes the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM), which was founded in 2004. The most recent addition to Nevada’s medical schools is the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV school), which was founded in 2014.

Many factors come into play while determining the best med school for you. UNR Med is located near the bustling downtown Las Vegas area, while the UNLV school is close to its famous casinos and Arts District. On the other hand, TUNCOM is perfect for students looking for a more laid-back and suburban atmosphere.

Each of these schools has different strengths and specializations. Read on to find out which one suits you best.

Top Medical Schools in Nevada

1. 1. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
2. 2. Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
3. 3. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas

1. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

U.S. News Ranking: #28 in medical school diversity

Tuition: $31,056 (in-state, full-time)

Average GPA: 3.63

Average MCAT Score: 508

Acceptance Rate: 11.60%

2. Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

U.S. News Ranking: #79 in occupational therapy

Tuition: $61,455 (full-time)

Average GPA: 3.54

Average MCAT Score: 507

Acceptance Rate: 8%

3. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas

U.S. News Ranking: Unranked

Tuition: $28,644 (in-state, full-time)

Average GPA: 3.6 to 3.7

Average MCAT Score: 510

Acceptance Rate: 3.33%

1. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

UNR Med, Nevada’s first medical school, is research intensive and community based. It aims to improve clinical services and research in the region and across the world. Over 1,800 MD graduates have trained at this institution and have gone on to excel in primary and specialty health care. It’s ranked #28 in the U.S. News list of most diverse medical schools and #60 in most graduates practicing in primary health care fields.

The first two years of the program focus on providing basic medical training in the classroom and clinic environments. During the third year, students are involved in clerkships in fields like neurology, family medicine, and OB/GYN. The fourth year consists of rural-based community training as well as electives.

The school has a faculty-to-student ratio of 0.5:1. Given its stellar reputation and years of experience, getting admission to this institution is not easy. 

Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

TUNCOM is home to Nevada’s premier osteopathic medicine program. It gives students personalized attention and practical hands-on experience with patient actors to help them prepare for their career goals. The school has an excellent residency match/placement of 99.4% and a COMLEX Level 1 first-time pass rate of 97%.

The curriculum gives students a solid foundation in clinical knowledge and medical health science. During the first year, you’ll learn more about the human body through lab sessions and lectures. The second year revolves around behavioral medicine and clinical reasoning to deepen your understanding of osteopathic clinical practices. Third-year students must complete clerkships to gain clinical experience while the fourth-year curriculum focuses on emergency medicine and clinic management review.

While the school fees are on the higher end, it has plenty of financial aid options that you can apply for.

Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Though the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine is fairly new, it is already on its way to becoming a leading medical college in the region. The 1,135,000-square-foot facility gives students access to advanced technology and world-class education.

The school’s curriculum is divided into three phases. Phase I focuses on problem-based learning where students explore patient cases to learn about the real-life processes of being a physician. Phase II is the Longitudinal Interleaved Clerkship, where students complete six core clerkships across the year. Phase III includes three rotations: a sub-internship, Nevada Community Medicine, and a capstone.

The diverse and talented student body is trained to specialize in community-based learning and problem-solving capabilities. With a healthy 1:1 male-to-female ratio and 27% first-generation college students, the college provides a diverse environment for your medical studies.

Which Med School in Nevada Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right medical school is a crucial decision that will likely impact your career prospects. While the three med schools in Nevada have similar entry requirements, they differ in other factors.

For example, the fee at TUNCOM is significantly higher for Nevada residents than the other two since it does not have a separate fee structure for in-state students.

The colleges also have varying approaches to education – UNR Med focuses on medical research, while UNLV is ideal for those who prefer community-based learning.

How Do I Get Accepted to a Nevada Med School?

All three med schools require competitive MCAT scores to get in. To improve your chances of getting a seat at your preferred university, you must get the best score possible, especially if your GPA is not in the top tier. 

But how do you improve your MCAT score? We’re here to help! Our MCAT Live Online Course comes with highly engaging videos, 160 learning modules, and unlimited class retakes to help you master the course material. If you prefer one-on-one learning, sign up for our Personalized MCAT Tutoring Program, where you can study under the guidance of tutors with 520+ scores. 

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