The 10 Most Underrated Pre-Med Colleges in the U.S.
What’s Covered:
If you want to enter your undergraduate studies as a medical school candidate, you have a grueling but rewarding road ahead of you. Though you may think there’s usually a pre-med college major, there generally isn’t one per se. Most students on the pre-med track actually major in a biological science field for their bachelor’s.
That being said, people from any major can apply to med school as long as they take the appropriate prerequisite courses. Here’s a list of the best majors for pre-med students!
It is increasingly difficult to gain admission to a medical school in the U.S. Most competitive medical school candidates have outstanding GPAs, an exceptionally high MCAT score, ample shadowing/clinical experience, previous work experience in the medical field, along with other non-medical extracurricular involvement.
So, if you’re looking to go down the pre-med path, it’ll be beneficial to attend a college that will support you on your pre-med journey. Below you’ll find the 10 most underrated pre-med colleges in the U.S. Check these out and see if they might be a good fit for you!
How We Put This List Together
The traditional college rankings do a decent job of ranking the best pre-med universities, but they leave some key factors out. Here at CollegeVine, we like to advise families on the most underrated colleges based on the outcomes that these schools could bring for their students like starting salary/ROI, job placements, and other resume-building factors.
Thus, when putting this list together, we used the following criteria:
- ROI and career outcome rankings
- Whether there is access to attractive job markets post-graduation
- Unique opportunities the school may have
The 10 Most Underrated Pre-Med Colleges
1. University of Houston
Located in Downtown Houston, The University of Houston (commonly referred to as U of H), ranks in the top 100 of ROI and career outcomes, according to our data. It is known not only for its value and return on investment, but also for its strong research activity and R1 status.
U of H has 23 health-related undergraduate majors that can help an aspiring medical candidate. They also have a pre-medical professional track for undergraduate students, along with numerous research opportunities.
2. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), located in the scenic Ewing Township, has one of the highest four-year graduation rates of all colleges and universities in the nation. It’s also near Philadelphia and New York City, two cities with competitive job markets.
TCNJ is ranked in the Top 150 in ROI and career outcomes. They also have a strong pre-med plan and a great BS/MD program for students who are looking for guaranteed admission into TCNJ’s medical school. Finally, there is no minimum transcript requirement for admission into TCNJ.
3. Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a small, Jesuit, liberal arts institution located in Baltimore. 99% of students receive some sort of financial assistance from the university. They also have a special pre-health advising program for pre-med students.
Loyola University Maryland is highly ranked in ROI and career outcomes. With access to the Washington, D.C., job market, Loyola pre-med students have numerous opportunities to gain medical experience.
In 2025, 63% of Loyola’s medical school applicants with a committee letter matriculated to either allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical schools.
4. Ursinus College
Ursinus College, located in charming CollegeVille, Pennsylvania, is just 30 miles from Downtown Philadelphia. It places in the top 6% of ROI and career outcomes for all universities.
Students who attend Ursinus College have great access to the Philadelphia and New York City job markets. The school also offers a special pre-health advising program. 99% of students also benefit from some form of financial assistance.
5. Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is located in Stillwater, about 60 miles from both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. OSU offers tons of opportunities for pre-med students, including early admissions opportunities to doctoral-health programs, assured undergraduate admission as long as you meet certain criteria, and more than $320 million in scholarships.
OSU students have access to the Oklahoma City and Dallas job market, just a few hours away by car. The school is highly ranked in ROI and career outcomes.
6. San Diego State University
San Diego State University (SDSU) has a very modern campus with numerous resources to help pre-med undergraduate students. Students can also take advantage of the gorgeous weather and beaches when they need to de-stress.
They also have an extensive health advising office that helps with everything med school related, including pre-med course lists and numerous other resources to help you build your application. Finally, SDSU is highly ranked in ROI and career outcomes.
7. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is located in scenic Missouri and students there have access to the Saint Louis and Chicago job markets. The university is well ranked in ROI and career outcomes.
Saint Louis University offers a robust pre-health program, as well as the Medical Scholars Program, which allows first-time freshmen to gain conditional acceptance to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. And if you’re interested in studying in Madrid, Spain, Saint Louis University has a satellite campus where U.S.-based undergraduate students can study.
8. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware has locations in Newark, Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Lewes. Each of these locations is strategically close to the Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia job markets. They rank in the Top 60 in ROI and career outcomes.
UDel offers strong pre-health services through the Center for Health Profession Studies. Additionally, there are two distinct pathways through which University of Delaware undergraduate students can gain admission to the Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Students can be evaluated by the Health and Professional Evaluation Committee, the results of which can help you gain admission to any U.S. med school. Students can also apply for the Medical Scholars Program, which is an early admissions program offered just for second-semester freshmen.
9. Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is home to about 6,500 undergraduate students. It is ranked in the Top 25 for ROI and career outcomes.
Case offers strong scholarships for undergraduate students, and strong pre-med resources. They also have a Pre-Professional Scholars Program for students looking to gain conditional admission to Case Western Reserve’s School of Medicine.
10. Drexel University
Drexel University has several campus locations in Philadelphia and is home to around 13,300 undergraduate students.
Drexel University ranks among the Top 75 in terms of ROI and career outcomes. It also offers a BA/BS+MD program for students who want to gain early acceptance to Drexel University’s medical school. Learn more about their pre-health advising here.
For More Information
With these schools in mind, you may have found a college that aligns with your future med school goals. At CollegeVine, we’re committed to making college guidance accessible to all who want it. That’s why, on our college applications guidance platform, you can use our free chancing engine, build a best-fit school list, and learn how to improve your profile—all for free.
Sign up for a CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your journey to a college as a pre-med. Also check out Sage, our AI tutor and advisor, who can improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school by helping you show what you have to offer beyond the numbers!
