MBBS (MD) in USA is equivalent to an MD-level degree program, the reason being that MBBS in America is not a bachelor’s program it is a postgraduate program. This article will discuss about MBBS in America, MBBS fees in America, top medical colleges and other related details for international students.
MBBS in America is not referred to as MBBS because it is an MD program. Applicants who want to study in USA for MBBS degree will have to first qualify for a BSc degree in a relevant field and then go for a pre-med certificate course which finally leads to an MD course in the USA. Thus, the process is the same but the terminology and the path towards the degree are different in USA, unlike India.
In USA, standalone there is no MBBS degree. MBBS degree is a dual degree program leading to an MD. So MBBS-MD in USA is treated like a postgraduate course of study. This program usually lasts between 7-10 years at US universities. It is not just longer duration degree program but also one of the hardest degree in the world to complete. MBBS (MD) in US is also expensive, the fee for international students can range from USD 200,000 to USD 300,000 for the complete course. To understand about Medical Education in USA in detail, check out the details below for MBBS in USA.
MBBS in USA Highlights 2026
For those Indian students who wish to take up medicine courses in US will have to complete MBBS (MD) degree in order to practice. Here are some key highlights of this globally renowned medicine program in US:
- Around 150 US universities offer MBBS (MD) courses to international students.
- MBBS is more commonly referred to as the Master of Medicine or MD course.
- Medicine is a STEM education course, and applicants can apply for OPT post-degree completion.
- In the USA, MBBS is a postgrad program which is not the case in India. In India MBBS is an undergrad program.
- More than 40,000 applications are submitted for admission to MBBS in USA by international students and only 20,000 get through.
- Jobs after MBBS in USA are highly paid, the starting annual average salary of a doctor in the USA is USD 200,000.
- During training, residents earn significantly less, typically ranging from USD 60,000 to USD 75,000 annually.
- The duration of MBBS in the USA is between four to six years which also includes the residency program.
Why Study MBBS in USA?
The USA is the top-ranking country for higher education abroad and is renowned for its medical courses. Students also wish to pursue MBBS in USA because it has a good return on investment. The other reasons why international students wish to study MBBS in USA are because:
- MBBS degrees or MD degrees from US universities are accredited and approved by WHO, MCC and other leading agencies, hence it is widely accepted across the globe for practice.
- On average MBBS in America attracts international students because of its job growth in the country since there is a shortage of medical practitioners.
- There are a variety of scholarships available to cater to American MBBS fees for Indian students.
- There are over 30+ specialisations available for MBBS applicants in the USA. Out of which Neuro and Cardio are the most preferred ones.
- All major US universities offer MBBS (MD) program, with varying specialisations. They also offer residency on-campus as well.
There will be an increase in specialisations of psychiatrists, obstetricians, neurologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, paediatricians, and cardiologists by 2032. The shortage of 86,000 doctors, as well as an AAMC report showing a physician shortage in the USA. This is the reason why the salaries are high, ROI is high while admisisons and medicne courses are tougher in US.
Based on QS’s subject rankings for ‘Medicine’ for the year 2025 are as follows for the best medical colleges in America for international students:
There are more than 130+ US universities that offer an MBBS cum MD degree to international students. But these are top-ranking courses in the field of Medicine subject as per QS for the year 2025. Check out the list of Top 10 Medical Universities in USA.
How to Become a Doctor in USA?
To pursue a career as a doctor in USA, students have to go through a procedure in the USA that is quite different from India after 10+2. In USA, there is no such MBBS degree, as MBBS/MD is a combined degree. Therefore, candidates can pursue an MD (Doctor of Medicine) course directly after acquiring an undergraduate degree. See the steps in the process of how to become a doctor in USA:
1. Pre-Medical Degree with an MD afterwards
- Take admission to a 4-year pre-medical undergraduate degree, such as a BSc in USA with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other related course.
- Having a qualified undergraduate degree is mandatory to get admitted to an accredited medical university in the USA.
2. Submit MCAT Exam Scores
After completing the pre-medical degree, applicants should appear for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). The MCAT exam is a standardised exam required for admission to medical schools in the USA.
3: Apply for MD Program in US University
- Once applicants receive their MCAT scores, they can then begin applying to their preferred MD (Doctor of Medicine) programs.
- An average MCAT score of 512 is essentially required for admission to US universities for medicine courses.
- An MD program is four years long, with classroom-based learning and intensive clinical training.
Step 4: Pass the USMLE to Become a Doctor in USA
To finally become a doctor in USA and begin their practice in US itself, taking the USMLE (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3) exams is the last step. Qualifying for these exams is essential to becoming a licensed medical practitioner in the USA.
MBBS in USA Course Details
MD in USA is a popular medical course where admissions are limited and the tuition fees are very high because it is offered for six and a half years. The MBBS course in USA is ideally divided into three stages:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree first and get towards the MD degree completion.
- Complete the pre-med school which may last a year just to help students understand US medical programs.
- Qualify for USMLE 1 which is important as part of the clinical training. After completing the training appear for the USMLE 2 exam after qualifying applicants can apply for the residency program in the USA.
Check out the other following sections which will help students understand MBBS or MD in USA in detail and talk about different arenas relating to the course.
MBBS Course Specialisations in USA
There are over 30+ specialisations offered in USA as part of MBBS or MD program. Some of the most popular ones are as follows:
- Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
- Cardiothoracic Medicine
- Emergency Medical Services
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine-Critical Care Medicine
- Allergy & Immunology
- Medical Toxicology
- Pain Medicine
- Brain Injury Medicine
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
- Chemical Pathology
MBBS in America Fees
The following is the tuition fee for those applying for MBBS in USA or MD in USA as Indian students:
| Top US Universities for MBBS |
First-Year Tuition Fee |
Tuition Fee for Indian Students |
| Harvard University |
USD 69,300 |
INR 57,58,588 |
| Stanford University |
USD 84,996 |
INR 70,62,870 |
| Johns Hopkins University |
USD 62,850 |
INR 52,22,615 |
| University of California, LA |
USD 84,125 |
INR 69,90,493 |
| University of California, San Francisco |
USD 57,369 |
INR 47,67,163 |
| Yale University |
USD 64,990 |
INR 54,00,441 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
USD 59,570 |
INR 49,50,059 |
| Columbia University |
USD 45,520 |
INR 37,82,553 |
| University of Pennsylvania |
USD 71,935 |
INR 59,77,547 |
| Duke University |
USD 63,000 |
INR 52,35,080 |
MBBS in America for Indian students fees is slightly on the higher side but there are enough financial aids available to cover these costs while studying in USA.
Scholarships for MBBS in USA
There are various types of scholarships offered in USA for Indian students pursuing MBBS degrees. There are:
- Need-based scholarships (partial or full)
- Merit-based scholarships
- Government funded scholarships
- External scholarships
Each US university offers some financial aid for its medical students to waive the financial burden. Thus, applicants can check the university they’re applying to and check the funding options.
MBBS in USA Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for MBBS admissions in USA, Indian applicants will have to fulfil a couple of eligibility requirements. The details are as follows.
Academic Requirements
- A bachelor’s in Science in any related subject like Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics.
- GPA score of 3.0 or above on a 4.0-point scale. (may vary with the university of application, use a GPA calculator)
- Clinical or research experience may also be required at universities like UCSF or Cornell University.
Standardized Testing
For Indian students applying for MBBS in USA, will have to submit either MCAT or NEET scores for admission. Those who have already taken these exams in previous years can check their score validity based on the US university they are applying to for MBBS admissions.
Other Requirements
Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, applicants applying for MBBS in USA will also have to submit:
How to Apply for MBBS in America?
All applications for MBBS or MD in USA are accepted through AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). AMCAS is the centralised application portal for medical students applying for admissions at US universities. The applicants can just register and sign in on the AMCAS website and begin filling the form.
MBBS Salary in America
Since, the salaries after MBBS in USA are lucrative, let us check out some of the highest-paid jobs in USA for Indian students:
| Top Jobs after MBBS in USA |
Average Annual Salary of Grads after MBBS in USA |
| Anaesthesiologist |
USD 428,700 |
| Cardiologist |
USD 324,666 |
| Neurologist |
USD 213,180 |
| Oncologist |
USD 234,350 |
| Orthodontist |
USD 292,601 |
| Paediatrician |
USD 181,719 |
| Dermatologist |
USD 284,735 |
Thus, the average doctor salary in USA at the MD level is also very high, which in turn makes it one of the highest paying job in USA.
Indian students aspiring to pursue MBBS in America can choose to pursue the course irrespective of the fact that the course is long and expensive. There are ample scholarships available and applicants can avail them based on the university they are applying to. Secondly, the jobs after MBBS (MD) in USA are very well paid, thus, the return on investment is profitable for Indian students in all aspects. Finally, admissions are very tough and highly selective, yet once qualified, applicants can get high in the ladder and get a license to practice Medicine in USA.
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International students who wish to study at Iowa State must have at least GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission. International transfer applicants must have a minimum equivalent GPA of C+ on a scale of A to F or 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for all transferable courses.