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What is WWAMI? WWAMI is the UW School of Medicine’s multi-state medical education program. The acronym, WWAMI, stands for the states served by the MD and Graduate Medical Education programs: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. First- and second-year students train at the Foundations site on the campus of our partner University in their home state of residence: UW Seattle campus, Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University), Laramie, WY (University of Wyoming), Anchorage (University of Alaska Anchorage), Bozeman, MT (Montana State University) and Moscow, ID (University of Idaho). Hundreds of clinical clerkship sites serving our third- and fourth-year students are also located throughout the five states,as are many residency and fellowship opportunities.
Medical Schools in Washington State: How to Get In (2023)
Which are the best medical schools in Washington State? Learn how hard it is to get into Washington medical schools, plus admissions strategies to make it happen
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Washington State: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
Part 3: Washington State medical school profiles
Part 4: Washington State medical school admissions strategies
Appendix A: Washington State medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Washington State medical schools by institution type
Appendix C: Washington State medical schools by region
Part 1: Introduction
Famous for its stunning natural beauty and output in the arts and technology, Washington is a diverse state that offers medical students a wide range of experiences.
While a medical student in Washington, you’ll have the opportunity to see work from the famous sculptor Dale Chihuly in the Museum of Glass in Tacoma or to attend a Seattle Seahawks or Mariners game. You can also opt to explore the outdoors at one of Washington’s three national parks: Mount Rainer, Olympic, and North Cascades. Plus, as a Washington medical student, you can boast that Washington is home to many legendary musicians and bands, such as Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, and Modest Mouse.
Washington is also known for its three medical schools, each located in a different city and unique in its curricular structure and extracurricular opportunities. Given this, it is likely you can identify a Washington medical school that aligns with your professional aspirations.
Our goal for this guide is to provide you with an overview of the strengths and differences between each of the Washington medical schools, as well as to highlight unique features of each institution so you can prepare an informed application aimed towards receiving an acceptance offer from your top-choice school.
Part 2: List of medical schools in Washington State: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
We dug up the latest rankings and statistics on Washington medical schools so you can compare the schools side-by-side. While putting this information together, we observed the following takeaways:
- Two allopathic medical schools and one osteopathic medical school are located in Washington.
- All Washington medical schools matriculate high percentages of in-state residents, with the most favorable numbers found at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
- The University of Washington is the only Washington medical school to appear in the 2023 U.S. News Research rankings; however, it lands in the top 10.
- The first-year class sizes of Washington medical schools vary significantly from an intimate 80 students to one of the largest class sizes in the U.S. at 270 students per class.
In the table below, each Washington medical school’s national ranking is listed inside parentheses, whereas each school’s relative rank is shown outside parentheses. Relative rankings help us answer the question, “Which are the ‘best’ medicals school in Washington?”
(Note: We strongly recommend that you sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date information on MD programs and that you sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
| Washington Medical Schools | U.S. News Ranking | Location | Degree | Year Est. | Annual Tuition & Fees | Avg. GPA | Avg. MCAT | Interview Rate | First-Year Class Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington School of Medicine* | 1 (9) | Seattle | MD | 1946 | $40,182 IS $70,845 OOS |
3.75 | 511 | 47.7% IS 4.7% OOS |
270 (53.0% IS) |
| Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine* | UR | Spokane | MD | 2015 | $40,526 IS $40,526 OOS |
3.61 | 508 | 33.9% IS 3.1% OOS |
80 (91.3% IS) |
| Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | UR | Yakima | DO | 2005 | $57,650 IS $57,650 OOS |
3.5 | 504 | NA | 146 (47.2% IS) |
*Public medical schools in Washington | UR: Unranked | IS: In-state | OOS: Out-of-state | NA: Not available
University of Washington School of Medicine
Committed to excellence in training the next generation of physicians, researchers, and health professionals.
Overview
The University of Washington School of Medicine is dedicated to improving the general health and well-being of the public. In pursuit of its goals, the School is committed to excellence in biomedical education, research and healthcare.
Education & Research Program
PhD & research programs
UW Medicine ranks among the top academic research institutions to receive National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The UW Medicine research powerhouse is driven by outstanding collaboration and interdisciplinary programs. Our internationally acclaimed graduate and postdoctoral training programs prepare students to advance science as members of an inclusive research community.
MD program
The UW School of Medicine’s MD program serves a culturally rich, racially, and socio-economically diverse five-state region known as WWAMI (an acronym for the states served). We promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our medical education program, with a focus on educating and training students who are passionate about medicine and making a difference in their communities. Please read our Medical Student Education Program Strategic Plan and Priorities for more information about our Mission, Vision and Values.
MD/PhD program
Our Medical Scientist Training Program offers outstanding medical education, augmented with pathways for students wishing to integrate clinical care with social action, and research opportunities in one of the most innovative biomedical research centers in the world. Students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine, students with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Residency & fellowship programs
Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in the UW School of Medicine provide clinical specialty and subspecialty training in 120+ residency and fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and 80+ non-ACGME programs.
Rehabilitation medicine degrees
Our highly-regarded education and training programs include a residency program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, medical student clerkships, and fellowship training in several areas. Research is also a major focus.
Health profession degrees
Interested in allied health careers? The UW School of Medicine offers outstanding training in several additional health program degrees, including:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Healthcare equity is not owned by one department or leader–everyone shares responsibility. To this end, we are committed to becoming an anti-racist institution that is diverse, equitable and welcoming of all people in our learning, working and healing environments.
Why University of Washington School of Medicine?
Since opening our doors in 1946, our mission has evolved to improving the health of the public by educating and empowering the next generation of physicians, researchers and stewards of wellness in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Our leadership is committed to building and sustaining a diverse academic community of faculty, staff, trainees and students.
Education & research in Seattle
The UW School of Medicine utilizes four UW Medicine hospital campuses in the greater Seattle area for medical training: UW Medical Center — Montlake, UW Medical Center — Northwest, Harborview Medical Center, and Valley Medical Center. In addition, we have a large UW Medicine primary care clinic network, and long-standing partnerships to train medical and PhD students at the Seattle VA Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Research facilities and PhD training are located on the Health Sciences campus at the University of Washington, at UW Medical Center Montlake and Harborview, and at the South Lake Union research hub in downtown Seattle. The School is headquartered in Seattle on the Health Sciences campus, adjacent to UW Medical Center Montlake.
Learning throughout the WWAMI region
What is WWAMI? WWAMI is the UW School of Medicine’s multi-state medical education program. The acronym, WWAMI, stands for the states served by the MD and Graduate Medical Education programs: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. First- and second-year students train at the Foundations site on the campus of our partner University in their home state of residence: UW Seattle campus, Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University), Laramie, WY (University of Wyoming), Anchorage (University of Alaska Anchorage), Bozeman, MT (Montana State University) and Moscow, ID (University of Idaho). Hundreds of clinical clerkship sites serving our third- and fourth-year students are also located throughout the five states,as are many residency and fellowship opportunities.
Hear from Current and Incoming Trainees
As the new academic year begins, 502 new residents and fellows are joining UW Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs to further their medical and dental training.
