How hard is it to get into medical school in Illinois?
The nine Illinois schools reporting both numbers took 71,720 applications for 1,401 seats, about 51 applications for every place. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has the shortest odds of the group at 16 applications per seat.
| School | Applications | Class size | Applications per seat | Share who enrol | Median MCAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | 1,209 | 78 | 16 | 6.5% | 508 |
| University of Illinois College of Medicine | 7,557 | 315 | 24 | 4.2% | 513 |
| Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University | 8,000 | 201 | 40 | 2.5% | 510 |
| Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine | 8,072 | 160 | 50 | 2.0% | 520 |
| Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | 11,382 | 188 | 61 | 1.7% | 510 |
| Carle Illinois College of Medicine | 2,923 | 47 | 62 | 1.6% | 513 |
| University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine | 6,395 | 90 | 71 | 1.4% | 522 |
| Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine | 13,384 | 170 | 79 | 1.3% | 510 |
| Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center | 12,798 | 152 | 84 | 1.2% | 510 |
Share who enrol is the class divided by the applications, so it sits below a school's acceptance rate, because schools admit more people than take up a place. It is the closest figure the published numbers support.
These are the odds across everyone who applied, so a score at or above a school's median shortens them considerably. The schools that admit at the lowest medians nationally and your own chances of getting in both go further into it.
Medical schools in Illinois at a glance
All nine medical schools in Illinois are below, with median MCAT and GPA, tuition in and out of state, class size and the share of applicants who reach interview. Each figure is the most recent one the school has published.
2026–27 cycle data. Last updated 30 August 2026.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| School | Degree | Apply through | Founded | Median MCAT | Median GPA | In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition | Class size | Secondary essays | Interview rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1927 | 522 | 3.93 | $89,667 | $89,667 | 90 | 7 | 5.63% |
| Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1859 | 520 | 3.92 | $101,726 | $101,726 | 160 | 13 | 8% |
| University of Illinois College of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1882 | 513 | 3.73 | $82,682 | $115,862 | 315 | 5 | n/a |
| Carle Illinois College of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 2018 | 513 | 3.87 | $79,112 | $92,438 | 47 | 7 | n/a |
| Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center | MD | AMCAS | 1837 | 510 | 3.64 | $90,487 | $90,487 | 152 | n/a | 5.4% |
| Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | MD | AMCAS | 1912 | 510 | 3.78 | $89,486 | $89,486 | 188 | 5 | 5-10% |
| Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1967 | 510 | 3.74 | $90,395 | $90,395 | 170 | 12 | n/a |
| Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University | DO | AACOMAS | 1900 | 510 | 3.63 | $76,099 | $76,099 | 201 | n/a | n/a |
| Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1970 | 508 | 3.88 | $62,199 | n/a | 78 | 5 | n/a |
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What medical schools in Illinois look for
Median MCAT across Illinois runs from 508 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to 522 at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Where your score sits in that spread shapes which of them to apply to, so application, so check it before you build a list. What counts as a good MCAT score sets out the national picture, and the percentile tables show what each scaled score means.
Between 3.63 and 3.93 is where median GPA sits. A GPA below that band is still in the conversation with a strong MCAT, and a single cycle is long enough to raise an MCAT score. If you have already tested, the retake calculator prices what another attempt would take, and the score calculator converts an AAMC practice test into a scaled score.
For residents, tuition starts at $62,199 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and reaches $101,726 at Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine. Medical school tuition across the US and Canada puts those numbers in context.
They do not all use the same application. It is AMCAS for eight, AACOMAS for one. Applying across services means duplicating work, so check which one each school on your list takes before you start.
Secondaries are the next hurdle after the primary. The seven schools here we hold prompts for ask 54 essays between them, from 5 up to 13 at Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle, so you can draft before they arrive.
One of the nine awards a DO alongside the MD programs. Both lead to licensure and residency, and DO programs generally admit at lower median scores, which is why they belong on most lists. The medical schools that admit at the lowest medians covers that ground nationally.
Between them these programs read about 71,720 applications a year for roughly 1,401 seats, near enough 51 applications per place. Those totals double-count anyone applying to more than one school, so treat the ratio as a measure of how much reading each committee does rather than as your odds. It is the reason a screening score matters before anyone reads a word of your essays.
Every school here sends a secondary, and the load is uneven. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine asks for 3 Written, and the rest range from one required essay to several more once optional prompts open up. Two of them interview by MMI, which rewards different preparation from a conversational panel. Our secondary prompt database carries the current prompts for each of them, so you can draft in June instead of reacting in August.
On the US News research ranking, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine places highest at 20. Rankings shift little from year to year and matter far less than fit, funding and where you want to train, though they do shape how competitive a given cycle feels.
Free checklist
Illinois's medical schools sit between a 508 and a 522 median MCAT. The checklist covers everything else your application is graded on.
Every phase of the application cycle, what is due when, and what to have ready before you open AMCAS.
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University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 8.9/10
Founded in 1927, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is a private institution that combines cutting-edge research with a focus on compassionate care. Located in Chicago, it prepares students to lead in medicine with innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and global impact.
Median GPA
3.93
Median MCAT
522
Location
Chicago
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$89,667.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$89,667.00
Class Size
90
US News Ranking (Research)
20
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
30
Total Applicants
6,395
Secondaries Required
3 Written
Interview Rate
5.63%
Interview Format
Remote Video Interview
Address
924 E 57th St Suite 104, 60637
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 8.8/10
Founded in 1859, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is a private institution in Chicago, known for its cutting-edge research and patient-centered care. With a focus on innovation and global health, Feinberg prepares students to lead and collaborate in the rapidly evolving field of medicine.
Median GPA
3.92
Median MCAT
520
Location
Chicago
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$101,726.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$101,726.00
Class Size
160
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 1
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 4
Total Applicants
8,072
Secondaries Required
3 Written
Interview Rate
8%
Interview Format
Combination of Faculty + Senior Med Student Interview
Address
420 E Superior St, 60611
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Competitiveness: 4.7/10
Founded in 1882, the University of Illinois College of Medicine is a top-tier public institution in Chicago, blending rich history with cutting-edge research. With world-class facilities and real-world experience, students here are at the forefront of innovation in healthcare—shaping the future while living in one of the nation’s most dynamic cities.
Median GPA
3.73
Median MCAT
512
Location
Chicago
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$82,682.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$115,862.00
Class Size
315
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 2
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 2
Total Applicants
7,557
Secondaries Required
5 Written, 2 if Applicable
Interview Rate
Interview Format
HYBrid (MMI, Faculty InteRview)
Address
1835 W Polk Street, 60612
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
Competitiveness: 4.1/10
Founded in 1837, Rush Medical College is a private institution at the heart of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Known for its hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and focus on patient care, it’s where future medical leaders are made—ready to redefine the field.
Median GPA
3.64
Median MCAT
510
Location
Chicago
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$90,487.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$90,487.00
Class Size
152
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 3
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 3
Total Applicants
12,798
Secondaries Required
2 Written
Interview Rate
5.4%
Interview Format
Not yet DeteRmined
Address
600 S Paulina St Suite 202, 60612
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Competitiveness: 3.4/10
Founded in 1912, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University is a private institution focused on innovation, research, and patient-centered care. Located in the heart of Chicago, it prepares students to lead and transform the future of medicine.
Median GPA
3.78
Median MCAT
513
Location
North Chicago
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$89,486.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$89,486.00
Class Size
188
US News Ranking (Research)
Unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Unranked
Total Applicants
11,382
Secondaries Required
5 written
Interview Rate
5-10%
Interview Format
MMI
Address
3333 Green Bay Road, 60064
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Competitiveness: 3.1/10
Founded in 2018, Carle Illinois College of Medicine is a public institution blending engineering and healthcare to redefine medicine. Located in Urbana-Champaign, it’s where innovation, technology, and hands-on learning come together to shape the future of healthcare.
Median GPA
3.87
Median MCAT
517
Location
Champaign
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$79,112.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$92,438.00
Class Size
47
US News Ranking (Research)
Unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Unranked
Total Applicants
2,923
Secondaries Required
3 short written essays
Interview Rate
Interview Format
Address
807 S. Wright Street Suite 320, 61821
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 3.0/10
Founded in 1967, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine is a private institution that blends clinical excellence with a focus on community service. Located in Chicago, it prepares compassionate leaders ready to make an impact in healthcare.
Median GPA
3.74
Median MCAT
512
Location
Maywood
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$90,395.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$90,395.00
Class Size
170
US News Ranking (Research)
Unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Unranked
Total Applicants
13,384
Secondaries Required
5 written
Interview Rate
Interview Format
Both in-person and Virtual Interview
Address
2160 S 1st Ave, 60153
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 2.3/10
Founded in 1970, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is a public institution focused on training compassionate physicians for underserved communities. Located in Springfield, it blends innovation with hands-on learning to make a real-world impact in healthcare.
Median GPA
3.88
Median MCAT
509
Location
Springfield
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$62,199.00
Out-of-State Tuition
NA
Class Size
78
US News Ranking (Research)
UNRanked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
unranked
Total Applicants
1,209
Secondaries Required
3 written
Interview Rate
Interview Format
MD: 2 1-on-1 MD/JD: 3 1-on-1
Address
801 N Rutledge St, 62702
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Competitiveness: 2.2/10
Founded in 1900, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University is a private institution offering a patient-centered approach to osteopathic medicine. Located near Chicago, it blends tradition with innovation, preparing students to make a real impact in healthcare.
Median GPA
3.63
Median MCAT
510
Location
Downers Grove
Degree
DO
In-State Tuition
$76,099.00
Out-of-State Tuition
$76,099.00
Class Size
201
US News Ranking (Research)
Unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Unranked
Total Applicants
8,000
Secondaries Required
2 written, 1 resume, 1 list
Interview Rate
Interview Format
PANEL INTERVIEW
Address
555 31st Street, 60515
Common questions about medical schools in Illinois
How many medical schools are in Illinois?
Nine medical schools. Eight award an MD and one awards a DO. Every one is listed in the table above with its median MCAT, median GPA and tuition.
What MCAT score do you need for medical school in Illinois?
Median MCAT runs from 508 to 522, so a score at or above 510 puts you in range at about half of them. A median is the midpoint rather than a cut-off, and roughly half of each admitted class scored below it. What counts as a good MCAT score goes through how to read those numbers, and our guide to raising a score covers how to raise one.
What GPA do you need for medical school in Illinois?
Medians land between 3.63 and 3.93. A GPA under that band is workable when the MCAT is strong, which is the part of the application still open to change once your transcript is fixed.
How much does medical school cost in Illinois?
In-state tuition runs from $62,199 a year at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to $101,726 at Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine, before living costs. Tuition across the US and Canada sets those against the national range.
Which Illinois medical school is easiest to get into?
By median MCAT, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine admits at the lowest score of the group at 508. That makes it the most forgiving on numbers, though secondaries, interviews and mission fit still decide the outcome. Our secondary prompt database carries the essays each school asks for.
What is the acceptance rate at medical schools in Illinois?
Schools here report roughly 71,720 applications against about 1,401 seats, which works out near one place for every 51 applications. That is not a per-applicant acceptance rate, because most people apply to fifteen or twenty schools and get counted at each one. Read it as a measure of how crowded each committee's desk is, and as the reason a screening MCAT and GPA come first. Individual schools publish their own rates, and the in-state and out-of-state figures usually differ sharply.
Which application service do Illinois medical schools use?
Amcas for eight, aacomas for one. The table above lists it per school, so you can group your list by service before you start writing.
What secondary essays do Illinois medical schools ask for?
Across the seven we hold prompts for, 54 in total, ranging from 5 to 13 at Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine. Secondaries arrive within days of a verified application and the turnaround runs to about two weeks, so prewriting is the difference between a considered essay and a rushed one. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle.
Are there DO schools in Illinois?
Yes. Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University awards a DO rather than an MD. Osteopathic programs lead to the same licensure and compete for the same residencies, and they generally admit at lower median MCAT and GPA, so leaving them off a list narrows your options for no good reason. The table above shows their numbers beside the MD programs.
Can you get into a medical school in Illinois with a low GPA?
It happens, and the MCAT is usually what carries it. With medians between 3.63 and 3.93, a GPA a few tenths under still gets read when the test score sits at or above the median and the rest of the application is strong. An upward trend across your transcript reads better than a flat average, and a post-bacc or a master's is the standard route when the gap is wider than that. Raising an MCAT score is the faster of the two levers.
When should you apply to medical school in Illinois?
AMCAS opens in May and submitting in the first weeks of June is the strongest position, because most schools review on a rolling basis. Work back from that to pick a test date on the AAMC calendar, leaving room for a retake if the first score comes in short.
Medical schools in other states
Every state in the Midwest with a medical school, on the same figures: Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
The medical school hub carries all 59, including Northeast, the South, the West, Canada.
Where to go next
- Studying for the MCAT now? The live MCAT course runs one cohort at a time with 515+ scorers teaching it.
- Want one-on-one help? MCAT tutors in Illinois are matched on the section costing you points, and our tutoring packages list what each one includes.
- Building an application rather than a score? Medical school admissions coaching covers the list, the essays and the interviews.
- Deciding whether to sit it again? The retake calculator gives you a verdict and a date.
- Just browsing? The free MCAT resources are a good place to start, and our reviews and student score stories show what the jumps look like.
- Looking beyond the medical schools in Illinois? The medical school hub lists every state and province with a program.