2026 data, updated August 2026
NEJM is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 29.8 against 8.7 for JAMA, about 3.4 times higher. Both are Q1 journals in their best subfield. JAMA is the larger journal, with 1,837 papers in 2025 against 987 for NEJM.
| Measure | JAMA | NEJM |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Journal Metrics Score | 8.7 | 29.8 |
| Best subfield quartile | Q1 | Q1 |
| Rank in field | #157 of 6,272 in Medicine | #10 of 6,272 in Medicine |
| Acceptance rate (publisher-reported) | Not published | Not published |
| Median days, submission to acceptance | No PubMed data | No PubMed data |
| Access model | Subscription or hybrid | Subscription or hybrid |
| Indicative APC (OpenAlex) | None on record | None on record |
| Papers published in 2025 | 1,837 | 987 |
| h-index (OpenAlex) | 1,011 | 1,507 |
| Publisher | American Medical Association | Massachusetts Medical Society |
Bold marks the stronger figure where one direction is better. Journal Metrics Score is a two-year citation average; quartiles and field ranks are computed within OpenAlex subfields and site fields. Data source: OpenAlex (CC0). Submission-to-acceptance days come from PubMed received and accepted dates and include revisions. Acceptance rates appear only where the publisher publishes one. APCs are indicative OpenAlex values.
Fit with each journal's scope matters more than any single number. Read a few recent papers in your topic in both journals before deciding.
NEJM is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 29.8 against 8.7 for JAMA, about 3.4 times higher. Both are Q1 journals in their best subfield. Which is better for your paper depends on its scope and how broad the result is; citation data measures the journals, not individual papers.
JAMA does not publish an acceptance rate. NEJM does not publish an acceptance rate. Without published rates for both, compare their field rank and scope instead.
JAMA is not fully open access. NEJM is not fully open access. Confirm current fees on each journal's website.