Located in Davis, CA, UCD offers students significant hands-on experience from the beginning. During the first and second years, students participate in physical exams and emergency medicine. The third year focuses on six clinical rotations, each eight weeks in length. Rotations are in surgery, internal medicine, OB/Gyn, pediatrics, psychiatry and primary care. In the fourth year, students focus on specialization and create their own curriculum. U.S. News estimates graduates of UCD's medical program have a debt of approximately $118,321.
Located in Irvine, CA, UCI provides students with four years of intensive medical training. First-year students must complete 10 interview modules based on medical cases; they must also shadow doctors and attend workshops. In the second year, students expand on physical examination skills and partake in three clinical rotations. Content studies are applied to clinical rotations. Third-year students participate in clerkships and more training modules. The fourth year focuses on clerkships and a sub-internship. U.S. News estimates graduates of UCI's medical program have a debt of approximately $112,793.
Located in La Jolla, CA, UCSD offers a four-year medical program or an eight-year combined BSc/M.D. program. The first and second year are comprised of coursework, though second-year electives can be taken in clinical preceptorships or community outreach programs. The clinical work officially starts in third year. U.S. News estimates graduates of UCSD's medical program have a debt of approximately $98,773.
Loma Linda University offers first- and second-year students a small taste of practical experience. The third year consists of clerkships and rotations. The fourth year is comprised of sub-internships, study in emergency medicine, neurology, ambulatory care, and electives.
Located in Los Angeles, CA, UCLA's medical program is divided into three phases. The first phase encompasses years one and two and is rooted in study, though hands-on electives are available. During phase two, students are given a two-week review before entering clerkships. The third phase allows students to choose a specialty. Further, students can choose to pursue a joint degree in health management through Anderson School of Management or UCLA's School of Public Health. U.S. News estimates graduates of UCLA's medical program have a debt of approximately $107,589.
Located in Los Angeles, CA, USC requires four years of study but offers a fifth year for extended research. The first two years consist of course work to prepare students for clinical study, culminating in nine weeks of case studies. The third and fourth years are made up of clerkships, including 32 weeks of selective and elective clerkships. A year of research can be included anytime after completion of the first year of study, increasing the total program time to five years. U.S. News estimates graduates of USC's medical program have a debt of approximately $170,870.
Located in Pomona, CA, the Western University of Health Sciences offers a four-year medical program. The first phase lasts one semester and teaches the fundamentals of medicine. The second phase lasts until the end of the second year and teaches students about organ systems and the diseases and conditions that affect them. The third phase consists of clinical rotations and runs through the third and fourth years of study. Osteopathic teachings are included when appropriate. U.S. News estimates graduates of Western University of Health Sciences' medical program have a debt of approximately $191,254.
Located in San Francisco, CA, UCSF does not allow clinical study until the third year. In their third year students perform clerkships. Between clerkships, students take refresher courses on previous health topics and participate in discussions regarding practicing medicine. During the fourth year students are allowed to choose clinical rotations and electives that suit their intended medical path. U.S. News estimates graduates of UCSF's medical program have with a debt of approximately $101,333.
Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University provides students with two years of course work, followed by two years of clerkships. A sub-internship is undertaken after the clerkships are completed. U.S. News estimates graduates of Stanford's medical program have a debt of approximately $86,137.
Located in Vallejo, CA, Touro University students spend the first two years in the classroom, and the third and fourth years consist of clinical experience and clerkships in all major areas of medicine. U.S. News estimates graduates of Touro University's medical program have a debt of approximately $156,000.