6 Medical Schools With Free iPads for Students 2027

Between anatomy apps, digital textbooks, and point-of-care ultrasound training, medical students rely on technology more than almost any other group in higher education, which is part of why several medical schools give free iPads to students as a standard part of enrollment. These programs aren't a recent trend either; some schools have been outfitting incoming classes with iPads for well over a decade as part of their broader approach to medical education.

Below, we'll highlight medical schools with confirmed, documented iPad programs, along with what these devices are typically used for and what to know before you enroll. 

Do Medical Schools Give Students Free iPads?

Some medical schools provide programs for students to get a free iPad, and it's a more established practice than you might expect. A handful of schools have built iPad distribution directly into their curriculum for years, using the devices to deliver course materials, support point-of-care ultrasound training, and replace the mountains of paper handouts that used to define medical education.

These programs exist because of how medical students actually learn and work, not just as a recruiting perk. iPads make it easier to annotate lecture slides, study anatomy through interactive apps, and carry a full library of course material through clinical rotations, all without the bulk of textbooks or a laptop. That said, these programs are still tied to specific schools rather than being standard across every medical program, so it's worth confirming a school's offerings directly rather than assuming. 

6 Medical Schools With Free iPads for Students

All six schools below are fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the national accrediting body for MD programs in the U.S. and Canada, so we won't repeat that distinction in each profile. Instead, we'll focus on where each school is located, its regional accreditation, a quick look at its program, and the specifics of its iPad initiative. 

1. UC San Diego School of Medicine

Located in La Jolla, California, UC San Diego is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Its School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the U.S. It offers a research-driven MD curriculum alongside dual-degree options, and the school shares its device program with the neighboring Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Through the Triton MedTech program, launched in 2020, all medical and physician assistant students receive an iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and AppleCare+ coverage for the duration of their studies, and they take ownership of the devices when they graduate. The initiative is designed to give every student equal access to classroom technology regardless of financial background, and it helped earn UC San Diego recognition as an Apple Distinguished School.

2. UC Irvine School of Medicine

Another top medical school on the West Coast is UC Irvine, which is based in Irvine, California, and is also accredited by the WSCUC. The School of Medicine is known for its iMedEd Initiative, a longstanding effort to integrate digital tools like iPads and point-of-care ultrasound directly into the medical curriculum from day one.

UC Irvine became the first medical school in the nation to equip incoming students with personal iPads in 2010. Today, every student is required to have an iPad, and the school provides assistance to make sure each student has access to one. Students also receive a personal handheld ultrasound device as part of the school’s broader technology curriculum, and the program earned UC Irvine Apple Distinguished School status for six consecutive cycles between 2012 and 2025.

3. Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine, located in New York City, falls under Cornell University's accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The medical school has built a reputation for integrating Apple technology throughout its curriculum, from note-taking and presentations to secure exam delivery.

Weill Cornell Medicine provides an iPad to every incoming medical student, and each device comes loaded with a curated set of apps that support the curriculum from the first year onward. The program contributed to Weill Cornell Medicine’s recognition as an Apple Distinguished School for 2021–2024, which reflects the school’s broader strategy of using mobile technology for teaching, assessment, and collaborative learning.

4. University of Kentucky College of Medicine

The University of Kentucky, based in Lexington, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its College of Medicine trains students through a curriculum that draws on the university's Smart Campus initiative for classroom technology.

Incoming M1 students receive an iPad through the Smart Campus iPad program as part of their enrollment. Because of these devices, a personal laptop isn’t required, though students may still choose to bring one. Details on exactly what each student receives are available through the university’s Smart Campus program ahead of orientation.

5. Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University

Based in Spokane, Washington, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine operates under Washington State University's accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The college trains students through a community-based medical education model, rotating them through clinical sites across the state's Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver regional campuses.

As part of onboarding, incoming students sign an iPad user agreement and pick up their device during a scheduled appointment window ahead of the semester. The iPads, which are gifted to students by the college’s donors, come with a keyboard case and Apple Pencil. The college’s Office of Technology manages the devices as part of its broader technical requirements. Students also need a personal laptop that meets the specifications for exam software.

6. University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is located on the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus in Tucson and falls under the university's accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The college offers a three-phase MD curriculum that integrates early clinical training with ongoing coursework in the basic sciences.

Each medical student receives a fully loaded iPad to use throughout medical school. The college’s IT team preloads the devices with tools students rely on daily, including the Examplify exam app, Notability for note-taking, Panopto for recorded lectures, and ClinicalKey for clinical reference, along with quick links to anatomy resources like Netter’s Anatomy Atlas.

How We Rank Schools 

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. From there, we narrow our selections based on a few key factors that matter most to students considering a medical school with a free iPad program.

• Accreditation: Each school holds LCME accreditation for its MD program, along with regional accreditation from a nationally recognized organization, such as the WSCUC, MSCHE, SACSCOC, NWCCU, or HLC.
• Confirmed iPad Program: Every school on this list has a documented, current initiative that provides iPads to enrolled medical students as part of their education.
• Curriculum Integration: We prioritized schools where the iPad program is built directly into coursework, exams, or clinical training rather than offered as a standalone perk.
• Program Transparency: Each school clearly outlines what the iPad program includes, such as eligibility, device specifications, and how the technology supports the curriculum.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Medical School With a Free iPad Program 

A free iPad program can be a meaningful part of a medical school's learning environment, but it shouldn't be the reason you choose one school over another. A few key factors are worth weighing alongside the device benefit.

• Start with LCME accreditation and program fit: Confirm the school's accreditation status and curriculum structure align with your goals before factoring in any technology perks.
• Look at how the iPad is used in coursework: Some programs build the device into exams, anatomy study, and point-of-care ultrasound training, while others use it more as a general note-taking tool.
• Consider whether the device is required or optional: At some schools, using the provided iPad is mandatory for coursework and testing, which is worth knowing if you'd prefer to use your own device.
• Weigh the program against overall cost and fit: A strong iPad initiative doesn't offset a school that's a worse fit academically, geographically, or financially, so keep the bigger picture in view.

What to Know Before Enrolling in a Free iPad Program 

Once you've chosen a school with a free iPad program, it helps to understand exactly how the program works before your first semester begins. A few details are worth confirming ahead of time.

• Whether the device is truly free or fee-based: Some schools cover the iPad at no additional cost, while others build it into tuition or a technology fee that's part of your overall costs regardless.
• What's included with the device: Programs vary in whether they provide accessories like an Apple Pencil, keyboard, or protective case, along with coverage like AppleCare+.
• How the device is managed: Many medical school iPads are enrolled in a mobile device management (MDM) system, which can limit certain settings or require school approval for updates and changes.
• Whether you keep the iPad after graduation: Some programs let students keep the device once they've completed their degree, while others require it to be returned if a student withdraws or transfers.

FAQs About Medical Schools With Free iPads for Students

Still have questions about how these programs work? Here are answers to some of the most common ones prospective students ask.

Do All Medical Students at These Schools Receive a Free iPad?

At the schools on this list, the iPad program is generally built into enrollment for incoming students rather than limited to a select few. Requirements can still vary by school, so it's worth confirming the specifics directly with the program you're considering.

Is the iPad Required, or Can I Use My Own Device?

This depends on the school. Some programs require students to use the provided, school-managed iPad for coursework and exams, while others are more flexible about supplementing it with a personal device.

What Happens to the iPad After Graduation?

Policies vary by school, though many programs allow students to keep the device once they've completed their degree. Some schools require the iPad to be returned if a student withdraws or transfers before finishing the program.

Do These Programs Affect Tuition Costs?

In some cases, the cost of the iPad is built into tuition or a mandatory technology fee, while other schools cover it separately at no additional charge to students. Reviewing a school's official cost of attendance can help clarify how the device factors into your overall expenses.

Are There Other Schools Known for Similar Tech Programs?

Several medical schools beyond this list have their own technology initiatives, including device programs, simulation labs, and digital curriculum tools. Contacting a school's admissions or IT office directly is the best way to confirm what's currently offered.

Do I Still Need a Laptop If My School Provides an iPad?

It depends on the school. At the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, a laptop is optional because students receive an iPad. At Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, students still need a personal laptop for exams. Check each school’s technology requirements before you buy anything.

Do Physician Assistant or Pharmacy Students Get iPads Too?

At some schools, yes. UC San Diego’s Triton MedTech program provides iPads to physician assistant students as well as medical students, and its device initiative also includes the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. If you’re applying to another health sciences program, ask whether it participates in the school’s device program.

Who Pays for These iPads?

Funding varies by school. Some schools pay for the devices through their own technology initiatives, and others rely on donors. At Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, for example, the iPads are gifted to students by donors. If cost matters to you, ask the school whether any part of the device’s cost appears in your fees.

Find Your Perfect Medical School

A free iPad program can be a meaningful part of a medical school's approach to teaching and technology, but it's worth treating it as a bonus rather than a deciding factor. If you're still exploring your options, take a look at more resources on Learn.org to compare schools, understand financial aid, and find the programs that best fit your goals.