12 Best Psychiatry Residency Programs 2024 - Rankings & Fees

September 10, 2024
6 min read
Contents

”Jonathan

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 7/9/24

Are you interested in studying psychiatry? To help you choose the right psychiatry residency program for you, take a look at our guide. 

In this guide, we’ll go over the best residency programs for psychiatry. We’ll also help you decide when to choose a psychiatry residency program, go over deciding factors, and more.

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Best Psychiatry Residency Programs

Below is an extensive list of the best psychiatry residency programs in the U.S. 

1. Columbia University Medical School

Columbia University Medical School has an excellent Psychiatry Residency program. PGY1’s, PGY2’s, and PGY3’s have classes daily, while PGY4s have classes three times a week. The resident’s classes coincide with their clinical activities to help them develop the skills and knowledge needed for future practice.

Columbia University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #1 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location New York, New York
Average GPA 3.9
Average MCAT Score 522
Faculty-Student Ratio 4:1
In-state tuition $66,816

2. Harvard University Medical School

Harvard University Medical School has a Psychiatry Residency program and is among one of the most respected programs in the U.S. The program teaches students to:

  • Be competent when identifying psychiatric disorders in all age groups.
  • Be knowledgeable in psychiatric theories and the social, economic, ethnic, and biological factors that influence development.
  • Have a sense of respect and responsibility towards a patient.

Harvard University Medical School offers an outstanding education to students and is a great school to consider for your psychiatry residency.

Harvard University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #2 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Boston, Massachusetts
Average GPA 3.9
Average MCAT Score 520
Faculty-Student Ratio 14.6:1
In-state tuition $66,284

3. Johns Hopkins University Medical School

The Psychiatry Residency program at Johns Hopkins University Medical School allows students to foster outstanding clinical experience. When residents graduate from the John Hopkins psychiatry residency program, they have the opportunity to work in every clinical practice setting and lead clinical and research teams. 

The curriculum incorporates lectures, seminars, and recitations. The curriculum and the clinical rotations prepare students for a career in the psychiatric field. 

Johns Hopkins University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #3 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Baltimore, Maryland
Average GPA 3.92
Average MCAT Score 521
Faculty-Student Ratio 5.2:1
In-state tuition $59,700

4. The University of California-San Francisco Medical School

The University of California-San Francisco Medical School has an Adult Psychiatry Residency Training program that trains residents to become leaders in this area of healthcare. They offer students a didactic curriculum, clinical experiences, and clinical fellowships. Residents can expect top-notch education from one of the best medical schools in the country. 

The University of California-San Francisco Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #4 (Tie) in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location San Francisco, California
Average GPA 3.8
Average MCAT Score In the 90th percentile
Faculty-Student Ratio 3.9:1
In-state tuition $38,073

5. The University of Pennsylvania Medical School

The University of Pennsylvania Medical School has a Psychiatry Residency program where residents participate in clinical experiences, the didactic curriculum, and research. The didactic curriculum integrates many aspects of modern psychiatry into different departments of Neuroscience, Psycho-Pharmacology, and Psychotherapy. 

Opportunities are available to residents who want to venture into the research field. These research opportunities are presented as mentorships, monthly forums, peer networking, protected research time, and funding opportunities. 

The University of Pennsylvania Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #4 (Tie) in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average GPA 3.9
Average MCAT Score 521
Faculty-Student Ratio 4.6:1
In-state tuition $61,586

6. Yale University Medical School 

The Psychiatry Residency program at Yale University offers residents clinical and centralized didactic curriculum and research training. Residents participate in both inpatient and outpatient work in various settings for their clinical curriculum. Besides the clinical curriculum, residents also take classes based on the didactic curriculum.

Yale University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #6 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location New Haven, Connecticut
Average GPA 3.8
Average MCAT Score 519
Faculty-Student Ratio 4.2:1
In-state tuition $67,484

7. The University of Pittsburgh Medical School

The General Psychiatry Residency program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School offers diverse clinical experiences, including training in neuroscience, psychotherapy, and psychosocial interventions. 

The medical school also offers a five-week clerkship opportunity, during which third-year students can work in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. In addition to the clerkship, students attend learning sessions to learn fundamental skills for the field

The University of Pittsburgh Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #7 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Average GPA 3.8
Average MCAT Score 514
Faculty-Student Ratio 4.4:1
In-state tuition $61,194

8. Cornell University (Weill)

Cornell University's psychiatry residency program stands out for its excellence in several key ways. It boasts a renowned faculty of leading experts, cutting-edge research opportunities, a diverse patient population, and a strong emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care. Its location in the heart of New York City provides unmatched clinical exposure, making it a top choice for aspiring psychiatrists.

Cornell University (Weill)
U.S. News Ranking #8 (Tie) in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location New York, NY
Average GPA 3.91
Average MCAT Score 519
Faculty-Student Ratio 4.1:1
In-state tuition $62,650

9. Duke University Medical School 

The Medicine-Psychiatry Residency program at Duke University Medical School teaches students to be compassionate when providing medical and psychiatric care to diverse populations. The program's goal is to provide residents with comprehensive training in medicine and psychiatry. 

Graduates of the residency program are eligible for board certification in both disciplines. The program combines the disciplines through didactics, case conferences, and journal article discussions, which take place weekly. This unique residency allows residents to venture out to medicine and psychiatry.

Duke University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #8 (Tie) in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Durham, North Carolina
Average GPA 3.9
Average MCAT Score 520
Faculty-Student Ratio 2.7:1
In-state tuition $63,310

10. The University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen)

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) psychiatry residency program stands out for its unique blend of cutting-edge research opportunities, multicultural patient exposure, and a strong emphasis on fostering diversity and inclusion. Its location in a culturally vibrant and diverse city enriches clinical experiences, making UCLA's program distinctive and highly sought after.

The University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen)
U.S. News Ranking #8 (Tie) in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Los Angeles, CA
Average MCAT Score 514
Average GPA 3.81
Faculty-Student Ratio 3.6:1
In-state tuition $40,562

11. New York University Medical School 

The Psychiatry Residency program at New York University Medical School provides students with clinical, academic, and research opportunities. The school emphasizes research and encourages students to pursue research opportunities. 

Students also attend a class weekly as a part of their didactic curriculum. The didactic curriculum focuses on cultural, structural, and global mental health. The curriculum focuses on those components because the school is aware that the drivers of socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial inequalities in mental health are socially based.

New York University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #12 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location New York, New York
Average GPA 3.9
Average MCAT Score 523
Faculty-Student Ratio 2.5:1
In-state tuition $0

12. Stanford University Medical School

Stanford Medical School offers a General Psychiatry Residency program consisting of clinical rotations and events where residents interact and teach medical students on their rotations. Students also have the opportunity to do their rotations at Stanford Outpatient Clinics, Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto VA, and Menlo Park VA. 

Besides the clinical rotations, students also follow a didactic curriculum where they meet once a week for a few hours. 

Stanford University Medical School
U.S. News Ranking #12 in Best Medical Schools for Psychiatry
Location Stanford, California
Average GPA Not specified
Average MCAT Score 519
Faculty-Student Ratio 2.3:1
In-state tuition $63,747

How to Choose Which Psychiatry Residency Program to Apply to

Choosing the right psychiatry residency program is an important decision that will shape your career and future as a mental health professional. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting which programs to apply to:

  1. Accreditation: Make sure the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This accreditation guarantees that the program meets the necessary standards for education and training.
  2. Program Size and Location: Consider the size of the program and its location. Larger programs may offer more diverse training experiences, while smaller programs may provide more personalized attention. Also, think about whether you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural setting.
  3. Clinical Rotations: Look for programs that offer plenty clinical rotations, including inpatient, outpatient, consult-liaison, child and adolescent, geriatric, and addiction psychiatry. Exposure to various subspecialties will help you find your areas of interest and provide a well-rounded training experience.
  4. Research Opportunities: If you are interested in pursuing research, look for programs with strong research infrastructure and faculty mentorship. Ask about the availability of research funding, dedicated research time, and opportunities to present at conferences or publish papers.
  5. Faculty and Mentorship: Investigate the faculty members' experience, research interests, and mentorship style. A supportive and engaged faculty can very well be the deciding factor to where you want to grow your education.
  6. Fellowship Opportunities: If you have a specific subspecialty interest, such as child and adolescent psychiatry or forensic psychiatry, consider programs that offer fellowship opportunities in those areas.
  7. Work-Life Balance: Residency can be demanding, so you must find a program that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Ask about the call schedule, vacation time, and support systems in place for resident well-being.
  8. Program Culture: Reach out to current residents and alumni to get a sense of the program's culture, camaraderie, and overall satisfaction. A supportive and collaborative environment can make all the difference in your training experience.
  9. Career Development: Look for programs that offer career development resources, such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and assistance with job placement after graduation.

By carefully considering these factors and aligning them with your personal and professional goals, you can select psychiatry residency programs that best fit your needs and aspirations. Remember to research thoroughly, attend program interviews, and trust your instincts when making your final decision.

If you need extra help applying to your residency program, book a free residency consultation with one of our counselors. They have the inside knowledge to get you into your top pick.

But don’t just take our word for it. Take Greg, for example. He matched into Duke University Hospital after being paired with one of our residency counselors. Here’s what he had to say about his experience.

“Although I definitely worked hard to get here, Inspira helped me match with one of my top residency programs. I found my consultant’s attention to detail and organizational abilities most striking. The timeline we used to track my progress and ensure every deadline was met was so valuable (time management has always been my biggest struggle). I’m incredibly relieved everything turned out the way it did. 10/10 for Inspira!”

FAQs: Best Psychiatry Residency Programs

If you still have questions after reading this guide, check out these frequently asked questions. 

1. What Is The Best Residency for Psychiatry?

According to the U.S. News, the best residency program for psychiatry is at Columbia University, followed by:

  • Harvard University
  • John Hopkins University
  • University of California-San Francisco
  • University of Pennsylvania 
  • Yale University

These Ivy League schools are extremely competitive, but they do offer the best programs in the country for a psychiatry residency. It’s also important to note that these schools do offer scholarships, fellowships, and loans to help with the cost of tuition. 

2. Is Psychiatry A Competitive Residency?

No, psychiatry isn’t a competitive residency. The probability of a person matching is about 76%. Recent data shows that psychiatry had 2,486 applicants and 1,858 spots. However, it is even less competitive for M.D. seniors. 

3. Is Psychiatry A Hard Residency?

As with anything else a person studies, hard work is one of the main components that determines whether something is going to be complicated or not. Hard work is also needed to make things easier when you're invested in a program. 

However, psychiatry may be complex for those who find science not their strongest suit. However, you probably don't have that problem because you've graduated from medical school. Fun fact: psychiatry is also one of the happiest specialties in medicine!

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best psychiatry residency program can be a difficult decision. There are plenty of great schools out there that can offer you a great education and excellent training. However, after reading this guide, you'll better understand what each school offers.

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