UNM School of Medicine Ranked in the Top for Primary Care

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is among top medical schools in the nation according to new “Best Graduate School” rankings by U.S. News & World Report, a multifaceted media company dedicated to helping consumers, business leaders, and policy officials make important decisions about products, education, and health care.

U.S. News and World Report ranks medical schools into two categories: Best Medical Schools: Research and Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.

In the category “Best Medical School: Primary Care,” the UNM School of Medicine has been designated as a tier-1 medical school, the highest of the four possible tiers. This tier-1 designation places UNM ahead of the pack, solidifying its place among medical schools as “best of the best.”

“We are so excited that we have ranked #7 in the nation for diverse medical schools as well as the most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas,” said Patricia Finn, MD, dean of the UNM School of Medicine. “We are ranked highly for most graduates practicing in primary care and practicing in rural areas. These recognitions underscore our dedication to addressing the foremost health needs in our state.”

By emphasizing excellence in primary care education, we ensure our students are fully prepared to deliver comprehensive and accessible health care. Our commitment to diversity within our curriculum and student body enriches our learning environment and equips graduates to serve culturally diverse populations with empathy and sensitivity. These rankings resonate deeply with my personal mission of integration of scientific discovery with health equity, keeping the patient at the center, while training the next generation for our local and global community.

— Patricia Finn, MD, UNM School of Medicine Dean

In the category of “Best Medical Schools: Research,” UNM is ranked tier-3.

Additionally, the UNM School of Medicine achieved the following impressive rankings:

• #7 in Most Diverse Medical Schools
• #7 in Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas
• #15 in Most Graduates in Primary Care
• #26 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas 

“Primary Care rotations and learning opportunities in rural settings, Tribal communities, and underserved areas is an important strength of our programs and has resulted in our graduates practicing in these areas,” said Doug Ziedonis, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System.

These recognitions highlight our dedication to fostering a more equitable and just health care system. Congratulations to our teams at the School of Medicine who put our patients and students first each day.

— Doug Ziedonis, MD, MPH, MPH, Executive Vice President of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System

The methodology of determining rankings, according to U.S. News & World Report, began in the winter of 2023-2024, when the organization surveyed 196 medical and osteopathic schools fully accredited in 2024 by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association. This data and third-party statistics were used to calculate the tiers and the diversity and practice rankings.