MBBS in USA for Indian Students: Fees, Eligibility & Requirements

Why Study MBBS in USA?

Studying MBBS in USA after 12th for Indian students yields a higher return on their investment and gives them access to premium quality education that is the best in the world. To give you an example, the degree you get after doing MBBS in USA is MCC, WHO, and ECFMG approved and allows you to practice in USA, India, and many other countries (provided that you meet the licensing requirements of the country). Some other reasons to study MBBS in USA for Indian students include:

• Students don’t need to give the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice or be a doctor in India.
• There are a large number of scholarships available for Indian students applying for MBBS in the USA.
• Jobs in the USA for physicians are expected to grow significantly and are predicted to have a shortage of over 86,000 physicians by the year 2036.
• The USA has dozens of top-ranking medical schools that provide top courses for MBBS in the USA for Indian students,including names like Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, and Stanford University.
• The USA offers the highest salaries for doctors in the world, as well as strong job security.

Top 5 Medical Colleges in USA for Indian Students

The MBBS colleges in USA for Indian students provide the best medical education in the world and are ranked at the top. To give you an example, a total of 5 USA medical institutes come in the top 10 and 23 come in the top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Medicine. These include prestigious names like:

1. Harvard Medical School (HMS)

The Harvard Medical School of Harvard University is considered to be the best medical school in the world. The college has over 11,000 faculty members who are at the top of their field and provide students with high-level clinical experience and training.

What’s even more great about doing MBBS in USA at Harvard Medical School is that Indian students can benefit from their generous financial aid, which can significantly lower the cost of MBBS in USA for them. At HMS, around 70% students receive need-based financial help.

2. Stanford University School of Medicine

The Stanford University School of Medicine was one of the first medical schools in the USA to be established on the West Coast. It is a popular choice for MBBS in USA for Indian students because it combines technology with medicine and provides students with an interdisciplinary way of learning.

3. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is a top college for MBBS in USA that leaves most of the Ivy League institutions behind. The university is known for providing modern medical education and is one of the largest centres of biomedical research in the US. Its medical departments rank at the top nationally: Anesthesiology (#1), Surgery (#1), Internal Medicine (#1), and Paediatrics (#4).

4. University of California, San Francisco

The University of California is another one of the best MBBS colleges in USA for Indian students and is a leader in graduate medical education. Many of the UCSF specialities, like surgery, family medicine, and internal medicine, also rank in the top five in the USA. What makes this an ideal school for MBBS in USA for Indian students is that the college focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

5. Yale School of Medicine

The Yale School of Medicine is a highly selective MBBS school in the USA which is known for its biomedical research. The institute is the perfect school for MBBS in USA after 12th for Indian students who are looking for research-intensive education with extensive resources, world-renowned faculty, and institutional prestige.

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in USA

The eligibility criteria and requirements to pursue MBBS in USA for Indian students include:

Academic Requirements

• To do MBBS in USA, Indian students need to first have a bachelor’s degree in a related field/subjects like Biology, Physics, or Chemistry.
• A GPA of around 3.5 or higher is required to get MBBS admission in USA for Indian students.
• Some MBBS universities in the USA also require research or clinical experience.

Standardised Testing

• MCAT scores of around 510 or higher are required to study MBBS in USA after 12th for Indian students.
• International students need to demonstrate language proficiency through tests like IELTS (6.5 – 7.0) and TOEFL (90 – 100).
• A valid NEET score is required for students who want to practice medicine in India after completing MBBS in USA.

Document Requirement

When applying for MBBS admission in USA for Indian students, they need to submit important documents like:

• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Statement of Purpose(SOP)
• Clinical/volunteer experience
• Official academic transcripts
• Resume/CV

Admission Process for MBBS in USA

Students need to complete a multi-step process to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the USA, which is equivalent to an MBBS. These steps for admission for MBBS in USA for Indian students include:

Step 1: Complete a 4-Year Bachelor's Degree

To study MBBS in USA, students first need to get an undergraduate degree, preferably from a US university. Also, there is no “required” pre-med major that students need to complete. However, students must complete their bachelor’s in courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and English.

Step 2: Take the MCAT

Once done with the bachelor’s degree, students need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). It is a multiple-choice exam which tests the critical thinking ability and scientific knowledge of students. Note that most MBBS colleges in USA for Indian students require higher scores for admission.

Step 3: Apply to MD Programs 

Use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to apply to an MD program. During your application, you will need to submit documents like:

• Personal information
• Academic transcripts
• Score for the MCAT exam
• Extracurricular activities and work experience
• Personal statement
• Recommendation letters

Once done with this application, a medical institute in the USA might send you a secondary application to fill out. Do note that these secondary applications might require additional fees and essays.

Step 4: Attend Interview

The last step is to attend interviews if required by the college. These interviews generally vary from institute to institute, but are generally either traditional one-on-one or panel interviews. The purpose of these interviews is to assess your communication skills, ethical judgement, and suitability for a career in the medical field.

Scholarships for Indian Students to Pursue MBBS in USA

Below is a list of all the major MBBS in USA with scholarship options that can help you lower the cost of MBBS in USA as an Indian student. Discover below:

University Scholarships for MBBS in USA for Indian Students

Here are the top university-specific scholarships that Indian students can get:

Government & Embassy Scholarships for Studying MBBS in the USA

Here are the government scholarships that can help you lower the Cost of Studying in USA for Indian Students, as most of them provide a stipend and living expenses as well:

Private & Non-Profit Scholarships for MBBS in the USA

Lastly, here are private and non-profit scholarships that cover the USA MBBS fees for Indian students. Take a look:

Also Read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in USA

Top jobs and Average Annual Salary after MBBS in USA

Doing MBBS in USA provides more than just high-quality education; it opens doors to high-paying jobs whose annual salaries can exceed $100,000 (INR 88 lakhs). Some high-paying medical jobs in the USA include:

Also Read: Part Time Jobs in USA

Conclusion

Summing up, doing MBBS in USA for Indian students includes a multi-step and rigorous process that is different from the traditional MBBS pathway in India. The US equivalent of MBBS is the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree that takes four years to complete. However, if you have already completed MBBS in India, then you can pursue residency in the US (given that you meet all the US requirements). If you want more help regarding MBBS in USA then you can connect with our study abroad consultants for USA who can assist you every step of the way and simplify your study in USA journey.

FAQs

1. Is MBBS Available in the USA like in India?

No, unlike in India, in the USA, MBBS is not a bachelor’s degree. Instead, it is a postgraduate program. To become a doctor in the USA, students need to first complete a four-year graduate degree and then complete a four-year Doctor of Medicine program.

2. Is NEET Required for MBBS/MD in the USA?

NEET is an India-specific entrance and eligibility test for MBBS and is not required or accepted for pursuing an MD or MBBS degree in the USA. Instead of NEET, aspiring medical students need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

3. What Subjects Are Required in High School to Pursue Medicine in the USA?

There is no mandatory subject requirement for studying medicine in the US. However, it is generally recommended that students take challenging subjects in high school, like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, and Statistics.

4. Can I Work While Studying for an MD in the USA?

Students can work while studying MD in the USA. But it is a challenging course and is generally not recommended to work while studying. As an international student on an F-1 visa, the work rules are pretty restrictive, and students are only allowed to work 20 hours a week.

5. Can I Practice in the USA After Completing an MD there?

After completing an MD, students can practice in the USA by completing the residency program and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).