ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine ranks No. 2 in nation for underserved care
ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine also ranked as a Tier 1 school for primary care
and inside the top 50 for graduates practicing in rural areas and in primary care.
East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine earned high marks in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Medical School Rankings – particularly in primary care and impact in rural and underserved communities.
Since its founding more than a half-century ago, the college has been committed to the betterment of health care in this region and beyond. And each year – fittingly not long after the college’s Match Day ceremony, where soon-to-be graduates learn where they will head for residency – that commitment is reflected in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual best medical school rankings.
2025 is no different.
In U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of schools with the “Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas,” the Quillen College of Medicine ranked second in the nation. The Quillen College of Medicine was also designated a “Tier 1” school in the “2025 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care” ranking – placing it inside the top 16 in the nation.
Both rankings were the best among colleges in Tennessee.
This national recognition is a direct reflection of Quillen’s commitment to serving the Appalachian region and underscores why ETSU is the flagship institution of Appalachia — a university deeply rooted in its mission to uplift rural communities through education, health care and service.
“I am always proud to see our commitment to serving our rural and underserved populations recognized,” said Dr. Bill Block, dean of the college and ETSU vice president for Clinical Affairs. “What makes these rankings so special is that they go beyond speaking of what the college has done and instead speak to the outsized impact our graduates have on the communities they call home after their time at Quillen – with many practicing in our region.”
Quillen has increased opportunities and pathways for admission for students hailing from rural areas, a true testament to the college’s commitment to serving the underserved.
A hallmark of this commitment is the college’s EQUIP program, designed to identify and mentor students from rural and underserved areas interested in attending Quillen. EQUIP is an acronym for Expanding Quillen to the Underserved through an Integrated Program.
Additionally, the college hosts annual summer camps that are free of charge for students from rural areas to foster an interest in medicine through hands-on learning experiences, lectures and admissions guidance.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings also spoke to the commitment to serving in rural areas and in primary care – ranking inside the top 50 nationally for “Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas” and “Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care.”
“For more than 100 years, East Tennessee State University has been guided by its mission to improve the lives of people in this region and beyond,” said ETSU’s Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “The Quillen College of Medicine is a shining example of that mission.”
To view the full U.S. News & World Report’s “2025 Best Medical Schools” rankings, visit https://bit.ly/4lnZnyc. To learn more about the Quillen College of Medicine, visit etsu.edu/com/.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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