The Carver College of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine program accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, serving as Iowa’s only LCME-accredited allopathic medical school. Its curriculum integrates basic sciences with early clinical experiences across University of Iowa Health Care facilities, the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and regional medical education sites.
In addition to the MD program, the college offers highly ranked graduate health sciences programs, including a physician assistant program tied for No. 1 nationally and a physical therapy program ranked No. 2 by U.S. News & World Report for 2026–2027. The college also supports graduate medical education through residency and fellowship training in a broad range of specialties.
Demand for Carver College of Medicine graduates remains strong, with Match Day outcomes showing placement across dozens of specialties and states; the Class of 2026 matched into 29 specialties across 32 states, and more than half entered primary care fields. The college’s emphasis on rural and underserved populations aligns with state and national health workforce priorities, as reflected in U.S. News rankings for graduates practicing in rural areas and health professional shortage areas.
The college’s research enterprise continues to expand, supported by major centers such as the Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center. Sustained investment in interprofessional education, biomedical research, and statewide clinical partnerships positions the institution to address evolving health care needs in Iowa and beyond.
Carver College of Medicine holds the distinction of being Iowa’s only LCME-accredited allopathic medical school, giving it a unique role in training physicians for the state and region. Its physician assistant and physical therapy programs are consistently ranked among the top five nationally, with the PA program ranked No. 1 and the DPT program ranked No. 2 in the 2026–2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
The college is also a leading academic medical center for research, supported by more than 80 core research facilities and over 280 laboratories, with UI Health Care research teams securing more than $250 million in external funding in the past year. Longstanding institutional strengths include pioneering contributions to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, and orthopedic care.
