Healthcare education in Illinois

Illinois has 8 MD schools and 1 DO school (Midwestern University in Downers Grove). Chicago is a major hub for medical education and research, with Northwestern, University of Chicago, Rush, Loyola, and the University of Illinois all operating teaching hospitals in the metropolitan area. Downstate programs at Southern Illinois University serve rural communities.

Illinois is home to 8 MD schools and 1 DO school.

Middle schoolHigh schoolUndergraduatePrograms

Pipeline programs and pre-med resources

Northwestern University offers the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME), a 7-year combined BS/MD program for incoming freshmen, one of the most competitive BS/MD programs in the country.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine operates the Urban Health Program, which provides academic support, mentoring, and pipeline activities for students from underserved backgrounds pursuing careers in medicine. Carle Illinois College of Medicine (the country’s first engineering-focused medical school) offers a distinctive curriculum integrating engineering and medicine.

Multiple Chicago-area hospitals offer structured volunteer programs, clinical research opportunities, and summer health careers enrichment for pre-med students at all levels.

For students in Illinois, we recommend starting with our level-specific guides: Middle School, High School, or Undergraduate. See also our What Is Pre-Med? and Pre-Med Requirements pages.

Scholarships and loan repayment


Illinois MAP Grant
Need-based state grant for Illinois residents. Apply via FAFSA. Administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Details at isac.org.

Medical Student Scholarship Program
Illinois offers scholarships for medical students who commit to practicing primary care in underserved Illinois communities after residency. Check current terms through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For federal programs available in all states, see our Income-Driven Repayment, PSLF Guide, and Military Medical Scholarships pages.

Medical schools in Illinois

Carle Illinois College of Medicine (MD, Urbana) | Website
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University (MD, North Chicago) | Website
Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO, Downers Grove) | Website
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (MD, Maywood) | Website
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (MD, Chicago) | Website
Rush Medical College of Rush University (MD, Chicago) | Website
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (MD, Springfield) | Website
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MD, Chicago) | Website
University of Illinois College of Medicine (MD, Chicago) | Website

For complete data including application systems and school details, see our Medical Schools Database and filter by state.

Help us improve this page

If you know of a Illinois-specific program, scholarship, or resource that should be listed here, please use the Contact Us form or the “Share Your Thoughts” button. We update state pages regularly based on community input.

Last verified: March 2026