Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine continues to earn high national rankings related to mission-driven outcomes

The Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University has once again earned national recognition for delivering on its mission to train physicians who serve where they are needed most.  The newly released 2026 U.S. News and World Report for Graduate Medical Schools has ranked the college among the top institutions in the country for making an impact in rural and underserved regions.

Out of the 172 schools surveyed nationally, the college ranked in the top 10 (#9, up from #13) for placing graduates in underserved areas and in the top fifteen (#13, up from #20) for placing graduates in rural communities.  This noteworthy achievement is a testament to the fact that our graduates are living our mission and making a commitment to serving vulnerable populations in designated health professional shortage areas. In addition, the college ranks in the top half of all U.S. medical schools in placing graduates into primary care specialties, reflecting a continued dedication to improving access to essential health care for all.

These outstanding rankings directly align with the college’s mission to educate and train physicians who desire to serve rural and underserved populations across Michigan and beyond. Through a curriculum strengthened by community-based learning and longitudinal clinical experiences, students gain firsthand exposure to the unique challenges and great rewards of practicing in these settings.

“Our college was founded on the belief that a mission-focused medical education program will make a significant difference in the health of our communities,” said interim dean Tina Thompson. “Our students are advancing our legacy by choosing paths that align with our mission to provide exceptional service and increase health care access in areas of need. Our faculty, staff and leadership are so proud to support them in that journey.”

The impact the college is making in the health care field was evident in the recent Match results for the Class of 2026.  Sixty-eight percent of graduates are entering primary care fields or specialties identified as areas of critical need, and more than half of the graduating class will remain in Michigan for residency training. These new physicians will improve the health care workforce in key disciplines and reinforce the college’s role in building a sustainable pipeline of medical providers for the state.

“We know that health care systems nationwide continue to struggle with provider shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” said Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon. “The Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU stands out as an exemplary model of how mission-driven education can result in measurable, meaningful outcomes for patients and communities.”

The Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University was founded in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, in 2010 and was named by Covenant HealthCare in 2025.  The college will soon be moving to its new home in the CMU MyMichigan Health Medical Education building on the MyMichigan Health campus in Saginaw.