Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is a private nonprofit university in South Los Angeles and a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Its purpose is unusually focused: train health professionals, researchers and community leaders who can help address health inequities. CDU has three colleges—Medicine, Nursing, and Science and Health—so applicants can compare a direct medical degree with nursing, public health, imaging and other clinical pathways.

Programs: choose the credential and the patient-care role

Undergraduate options include an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology and bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Radiologic Sciences and Psychology with an emphasis in Community Counseling. Graduate choices include the MD, Physician Assistant Studies, Genetic Counseling, Biomedical Sciences, Urban Health Disparities, nursing practitioner programs and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. CDU also offers residency training and a postbaccalaureate premedicine pathway. The program directory identifies the college and entry requirements for each degree.

Applicants to medicine should distinguish CDU’s new four-year MD program from its older CDU/UCLA medical education pathway. The joint pathway is no longer accepting new cohorts; the final cohort is expected to graduate in 2027. The standalone CDU MD is active, but the 2026–27 university catalog describes its LCME accreditation as preliminary. Read the current accreditation and admissions information carefully before committing. Nursing, radiologic technology, public health, PA and genetic-counseling programs each have their own professional accreditors and licensing requirements.

Budget by program before applying

CDU’s 2026–27 catalog lists full-time undergraduate tuition per semester of $9,400 for Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Psychology and Radiologic Sciences; $10,000 for Radiologic Technology; and $10,600 for the traditional BSN. These figures are tuition, not the complete cost of attendance: fees, supplies, insurance and living expenses may add substantially. The catalog says full-time tuition applies at 12 or more units and gives different rates below that level. Graduate tuition varies widely by program—for example, the catalog lists $19,000 per semester for Physician Assistant Studies and $15,000 for Genetic Counseling. Review the program-by-program cost pages, and request the current MD budget directly; the MD webpage’s posted estimate is not clearly labeled for the current catalog year.

Financial aid may combine federal or state grants, CDU scholarships, loans and Federal Work-Study. CDU asks students to submit the FAFSA using school code 013653; eligible California students who cannot use the FAFSA may need the California Dream Act Application. The university also maintains a list of external health-care and general scholarships, but availability and deadlines vary and awards are not guaranteed. Ask the Financial Aid Office to separate grants from loans and to confirm which awards renew. Full-time students must carry qualifying health insurance or obtain an approved waiver. CDU’s financial-aid information and its scholarship list explain next steps.

Check the published results for your own program

For Radiologic Technology, CDU reports 2025 completion of 41 out of 48 students (85.4%). Twenty-three of 37 graduates passed the ARRT exam on their first attempt within six months (62%); that year is below the program’s stated 75% benchmark, while the published five-year average is 82.3%. The school reports that all 69 graduates actively seeking work in radiologic sciences across the 2020–24 cohorts were placed within 12 months. These measures use different cohorts and definitions, and job placement excludes graduates not seeking work. Ask for the latest report and how clinical placements are arranged. CDU publishes additional retention, graduation and licensing information on its student success page.

What students mention—and a practical housing point

Student reviews describe supportive instructors, small classes and a close connection to the university’s community-health mission. Some reviewers also raise the cost of attendance, financial-aid administration, limited class schedules for students who work, and the challenge of finding affordable housing. Housing deserves special attention: CDU confirms that it does not have on-campus residence halls, though it provides an off-campus housing and roommate search portal. Build rent and transportation into the budget before accepting an offer. Read the student comments for differing experiences, and ask current students in your particular college about clinical schedules and support.

Los Angeles campus and admissions contact

The university’s main location is 1731 E. 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059; call (323) 563-4800. The campus safety report says most buildings are open Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; individual offices have their own schedules, and the Financial Aid Office lists weekday in-person hours of 9 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m. CDU does not list another branch campus in its current catalog. Prospective students can request program information, start an application, or contact the admissions team to discuss requirements and visit options.