Top 25 Osteopathic Medical Schools in 2026

The best osteopathic medical schools train physicians who match into residency at rates close to their MD peers, with a strong pull toward primary care and a focus on preventive, patient-centered care. Michigan State, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Ohio University's Heritage College are among the names that come up most often.

Below, you will find a comparison table, a profile of each school, a clear breakdown of DO vs. MD programs, and an admissions process you can act on.

What Is Osteopathic Medicine?

Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medicine practiced by doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), who are fully licensed physicians trained in the same scientific model as MDs. DOs complete four years of medical school, pass licensing exams, and complete residency, with additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating illness. The field emphasizes preventive care and treating underlying causes alongside symptoms.

Key Principles of Osteopathic Medicine

• Osteopathic philosophy prioritizes treating the body as an interconnected system.
• Osteopathic principles emphasize holistic care and preventive medicine.
• DOs are fully licensed medical doctors who can specialize in primary care or any other field.

DO programs are recognized for their commitment to community health, rural medicine, and training primary care physicians for underserved populations.

Read: How to Explain Why You Chose Osteopathic Medicine (Interview Guide)

The 25 Osteopathic Medical Schools at a Glance

U.S. News & World Report no longer assigns numbered ranks to individual osteopathic programs. Since 2024, it has sorted medical schools into four performance tiers for primary care and research rather than numbered ranks, and DO schools lead its lists for graduates practicing in primary care, rural areas, and underserved areas. In the 2026 lists, nine of the top ten schools for primary care graduates were osteopathic programs, and 16 of the top 20 were DO schools.

How We Selected These Schools

We included fully COCA-accredited osteopathic medical schools with established graduating classes and publicly available admissions or outcomes data. We evaluated programs using five factors: residency match performance, board pass rates, clinical training network, tuition, and entering-class academic profile. Because comparable data are not available for every school, this list is not a numerical ranking. Schools are presented by founding year.

The table below compares all 25 schools on the factors that actually shape your decision: location, tuition, average GPA, and MCAT.

Note: GPA and MCAT figures are from AACOM. These figures change yearly, so confirm current numbers on each school's admissions page before applying. Verified June 2026.

Read: DO Application (AACOMAS) Guide: How to Apply to Osteopathic Programs

DO School Acceptance Rates

DO program acceptance rates range from roughly 5% at the most selective schools to about 33% at the most accessible. Western University of Health Sciences COMP sits near the low end at approximately 5.7%, while William Carey University accepts around 33% of applicants. Most programs fall between these points, and rates shift year to year with applicant pool size and class composition.

Acceptance rate is not the same as matriculation rate. Across individual DO programs, the average matriculation rate (matriculants divided by applicants at a given school) was about 4.9% in 2025, ranging from roughly 2.4% to 10.0%, according to AACOM's AACOMAS applicant and matriculant data. A single national "acceptance rate" can be misleading, since applicants apply to many programs and self-select by stats, so use individual-school figures rather than any one aggregate number to gauge your odds.

Note: Acceptance rates change every cycle. Confirm current figures on each school's official admissions page before building your list.

A Closer Look at the 25 Osteopathic Medical Schools

Below is a short profile of each school, ordered by founding year. Each entry covers what the program is known for, who it fits, and the stats applicants care about most. These osteopathic programs rank among the top medical schools for primary care, and their DO graduates match into a wide range of specialties. Use the profiles to narrow your list before you start applications.

A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

A.T. Still University Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine, founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still. It carries the longest track record in the field and stays rooted in primary care and rural service. Enrolled students average a 3.62 GPA and a 502.9 MCAT, according to ATSU-KCOM's admissions office. Kirksville fits applicants who value osteopathic tradition and want broad early clinical exposure across community sites.

Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Des Moines University is one of the oldest and largest osteopathic schools, now based on a modern campus in West Des Moines, Iowa. It is known for strong board pass rates and a wide clinical rotation network. Enrolled students average a 3.71 GPA and a 507.1 MCAT. Confirm current figures through the DMU DO program before applying. DMU suits academically strong applicants who want a well-resourced and research-friendly program.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is one of the most respected DO schools, with a focus on primary care, preventive medicine, and community service. Founded in 1899, it has campuses in Pennsylvania and Georgia. PCOM's DO program reports an entering-class average of 3.58 GPA and 502.5 MCAT. PCOM fits applicants drawn to service-oriented care and a long institutional reputation.

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University)

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine sits on Midwestern University's Downers Grove campus and trains a large class each year. It pairs a structured preclinical curriculum with strong Chicago-area clinical sites. Enrolled students average a 3.66 GPA and a 508.8 MCAT, per CCOM at Midwestern University. The school suits applicants who want a big-program feel with deep hospital affiliations.

Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kansas City University (KCU) is one of the largest medical schools in the country by enrollment, with campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. It emphasizes primary care and service to the Midwest. Enrolled students average a 3.68 GPA and a 504.5 MCAT. See KCU's osteopathic medicine admissions for current requirements. KCU fits applicants who want strong primary care training and a large peer network.

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

MSUCOM stands out for its integration within a major public research university and its statewide clinical training network. Students can access research and academic-medicine opportunities that are less common at standalone osteopathic schools, while rotating across multiple Michigan communities. Michigan State's COM also reports an enrolled average of 3.75 GPA and 506.7 MCAT. MSUCOM suits applicants interested in research, academic medicine, or competitive specialties.

The main drawback for nonresidents is the substantially higher out-of-state tuition. MSUCOM is best suited to applicants seeking research access, broad clinical exposure, and a path toward academic medicine or more competitive specialties.

University of North Texas HSC – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

TCOM stands out as a public osteopathic medical school with a strong primary care mission, a competitive entering class, and unusually low tuition for Texas residents. Its location in Fort Worth gives students access to a large and diverse clinical environment, while its public funding makes it especially attractive to applicants seeking a lower-cost medical education. The school’s 3.82 average GPA and 507.2 average MCAT indicate that affordability does not make admission less competitive. The main limitation is that its value proposition is strongest for Texas residents, who receive a substantial tuition advantage and may benefit from the school’s regional focus. TCOM is best suited to applicants with strong academic credentials who want public-school resources, broad clinical exposure, and a lower debt burden.

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

WVSOM is built around training physicians for rural and medically underserved communities, particularly across Appalachia. Its distributed clinical model gives students substantial exposure to community hospitals, outpatient practices, and smaller healthcare systems rather than concentrating training in a single academic medical center. That structure can be a major advantage for applicants interested in family medicine, internal medicine, or practicing in areas with limited physician access. Its entering-class averages of 3.62 GPA and 501.0 MCAT make it more accessible than several academically selective programs on this list, though applicants should still demonstrate a clear commitment to the school’s service mission. WVSOM is best suited to students who want community-based clinical training and are comfortable pursuing a career outside a large urban medical system.

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Heritage College’s main strength is its three-campus model in Athens, Dublin, and Cleveland, which gives students access to different clinical settings across Ohio. Its mission is closely tied to training physicians for the state’s primary care and underserved communities. With an average GPA of 3.68 and an MCAT of 503.5, it is a strong fit for applicants with Ohio ties and a clear interest in community-based medicine.

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey is among the more selective programs on this list. It offers strong clinical partnerships through the Virtua Health system. Enrolled students average a 3.72 GPA and a 507.9 MCAT. Verify current numbers at Rowan-Virtua SOM admissions. Rowan-Virtua suits competitive applicants, especially New Jersey residents, who want a selective public-affiliated program.

Western University of Health Sciences COMP

Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) in Pomona, California, is a long-established West Coast DO school within a larger health sciences college, with a second campus in Oregon. It is known for early clinical skills training. COMP reports an enrolled average of 3.72 GPA and 508.4 MCAT. COMP fits applicants who want strong California and Pacific Northwest clinical ties.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) trains a large class on Long Island, with a second site in Arkansas. It offers broad clinical rotations across New York hospitals. Enrolled students average a 3.69 GPA and a 504.6 MCAT, according to NYITCOM admissions. NYITCOM suits applicants who want access to a dense Northeast clinical network.

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) is the only medical school in Maine and a leading trainer of New England primary care physicians. It emphasizes rural and community care. Enrolled students average a 3.58 GPA and a 503.0 MCAT. See the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine for current admissions details. UNECOM fits applicants focused on primary care in the Northeast.

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern University's Patel College is a large Florida DO program with campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater. It offers a wide range of dual-degree options and research opportunities. NSU's DO program reports an average of 3.71 GPA and 504.5 MCAT. Nova fits applicants who want a big program with strong Florida clinical sites.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is the largest medical school in the country and one of the most affordable private options. It offers multiple learning tracks, including problem-based and directed study pathways. Enrolled students average a 3.64 GPA and a 502.3 MCAT, per the LECOM College of Osteopathic Medicine. LECOM suits applicants who want flexibility in learning style at a lower cost.

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University)

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine sits on Midwestern University's Glendale campus and offers a strong Southwest clinical network. It pairs traditional preclinical training with early patient contact. Enrolled students average a 3.58 GPA and a 504 MCAT, according to AZCOM at Midwestern University. The school fits applicants who want to train and potentially practice in the Southwest.

Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) in Vallejo focuses on primary care, community service, and social justice in healthcare. It draws heavily from California applicants. Enrolled students average a 3.59 GPA and a 506.1 MCAT. Confirm current figures via Touro University California's osteopathic medicine admissions. TUCOM fits applicants committed to underserved care in Northern California.

University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

The University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) trains physicians for Appalachia and rural Kentucky. Its mission centers on primary care in underserved areas. KYCOM admissions reports an average enrolled GPA of 3.51 and a 498.6 MCAT. KYCOM suits applicants with strong ties to rural service and Appalachian health.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) operates campuses across Virginia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Louisiana, with a focus on rural and medically underserved areas. Enrolled students average a 3.68 GPA and a 503.2 MCAT, per VCOM admissions. VCOM fits applicants drawn to Appalachian and Southeast community medicine and global health outreach.

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) has campuses in Colorado and Utah and runs a structured rural medicine track. It is a for-profit school with a strong primary care output. Enrolled students average a 3.61 GPA and a 504.4 MCAT. See RVUCOM admissions for current requirements. RVUCOM suits applicants who want Mountain West clinical training and a defined rural pathway.

Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) in Tennessee serves the Appalachian region with a primary care mission. It offers a supportive, community-focused environment. Enrolled students average a 3.60 GPA and a 497.0 MCAT, according to LMU-DCOM admissions. LMU-DCOM fits applicants committed to rural Appalachian healthcare.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) has campuses in Harlem, Middletown, and Montana, with a mission centered on training physicians for underserved communities. TouroCOM admissions reports an enrolled average of 3.48 GPA and 501.4 MCAT. TouroCOM suits applicants committed to urban and rural underserved care.

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) in Mississippi focuses on training primary care physicians for the rural South. Enrolled students average a 3.50 GPA and a 498.1 MCAT. Verify current numbers at the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine. WCUCOM fits applicants who want to serve rural and underserved communities in the Gulf South.

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a Christian-based osteopathic education with a focus on rural and underserved service. It is one of the newer schools on this list. Enrolled students average a 3.63 GPA and a 503.3 MCAT, per LUCOM admissions. LUCOM fits applicants who want a faith-based environment and a service mission.

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis is Indiana's first osteopathic school, with a Catholic mission and a primary care focus. According to Marian's College of Osteopathic Medicine, enrolled students average a 3.77 GPA and a 500.8 MCAT. Marian suits applicants drawn to a values-based program and Midwest primary care training.

How to Choose the Right Osteopathic Medical School for You

Choose an osteopathic medical school by matching its strengths to your goals, then weighing cost, location, and residency match rates. A school strong in rural primary care fits a different applicant than one known for research output or competitive specialties. Confirm the program holds full COCA accreditation, check which primary care specialties its graduates match into, and compare your GPA and MCAT to its averages to gauge your odds. Most accredited DO schools also qualify students for federal financial aid, which matters when you compare the total cost.

Three schools show how missions differ:

• Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is known for clinical training, research access, and a large, diverse patient population.
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine centers on primary care, preventive medicine, and community service.
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine runs a rural medicine program that places students in underserved areas for hands-on training.

Use this quick checklist when comparing schools:

• Full COCA accreditation (not just provisional)
• Residency match rate and recent match list
• Your GPA and MCAT vs. the school's averages
• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition and total cost
• Location and clinical rotation sites
• Mission fit (primary care, rural health, research, or specialties)

DO vs. MD: What Is The Difference?

DO and MD programs train fully licensed physicians and overlap far more than they differ. Both follow the same evidence-based scientific model and prepare students for the same licensing exams, residencies, and specialties. The clearest distinction is that DO training adds osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic skill set, and historically emphasizes prevention and primary care. In practice, individual schools and physicians vary more than the two degrees do as categories.

Since 2020, DOs and MDs have competed in a single accreditation system for residency. In the 2026 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Main Residency Match, DO seniors reached a record 93.2% PGY-1 match rate, up from 92.6% in 2025 and close to the 93.5% rate for U.S. MD seniors.

Read: DO vs. MD: Differences, Pros & Cons, Salaries, & Which is Better for You

What Does The Osteopathic Curriculum Look Like?

The osteopathic curriculum mirrors an MD program for the first two years, then adds OMT training throughout. Early years cover the basic sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. The final two years move into clinical rotations across specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and psychiatry. The added OMT coursework teaches hands-on diagnosis and treatment that MDs do not study.

Many DO programs require a community-based primary care rotation in a rural or medically underserved area during the fourth year. This reflects the field's roots in serving health professional shortage areas, and it helps explain why so many graduates practicing primary care come from DO programs.

How Do You Get Into an Osteopathic Medical School?

To get into an osteopathic medical school, build a strong GPA and MCAT, gain clinical and research experience, and show genuine interest in osteopathic medicine. The best medical schools want more than stats, so most competitive applicants pair solid numbers with clear evidence of service, leadership, and patient contact. A letter from a DO physician and a focused personal statement that explains why you chose osteopathic medicine both strengthen your file. Pre-med students should start the application process early, since DO schools use rolling admissions.

A few things separate competitive applicants:

• Aim for a GPA and MCAT at or above your target schools' averages.
• Build clinical exposure by shadowing a DO, volunteering, or working in healthcare.
• Show scientific thinking through research, even a single small project.
• Commit to a few extracurriculars deeply rather than spreading across many.
• Secure strong letters, ideally including one from a DO physician.
• Write a focused personal statement explaining why you chose osteopathic medicine, with specific stories.

What Career Paths Can a DO Pursue?

A DO can enter nearly any medical career, from primary care to competitive surgical specialties. Most DOs practice in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Others match into cardiology, dermatology, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, or psychiatry. DOs also work in academic medicine, research, public health, and healthcare administration, and many DO graduates serve in underserved or rural communities.

The path is wide open. A DO degree closes very few doors, though the most competitive specialties still favor high board scores and research.

The Bottom Line

The right osteopathic medical school is the one whose mission, cost, and match outcomes fit your goals. The strongest DO programs combine full COCA accreditation, high residency match rates, and established clinical networks, and they train a large share of the country's primary care, rural, and underserved-community physicians. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is known for research access and a statewide clinical network, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for primary care and community service, and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for rural and Appalachian training.

With 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine delivering instruction at 75 teaching locations across 36 states, applicants have real range to match a program to their goals. Compare schools on accreditation, match performance, cost, location, and mission fit, then weigh your GPA and MCAT against each program's averages to build a list you can act on.

Work With Medical School Admissions Coaches

Get personalized guidance from top medical school admissions coaches who can help you build a balanced school list, strengthen your application, and prepare for interviews at competitive DO and MD schools. You can also join a medical school application bootcamp and livestreams with admissions experts to guide your application strategy, clinical experience, and long-term residency goals.

See: The 10 Highest-Rated Med School Coaches

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FAQs

What is the hardest osteopathic medical school to get into?

• The most competitive osteopathic medical schools are those with the lowest acceptance rates and the highest entering-class stats. Western University of Health Sciences COMP is among the most selective, at roughly 5.7%, alongside other programs that combine large applicant pools with above-average GPA and MCAT profiles. At the other end, William Carey University is one of the more accessible nationally recognized programs at around 33%. Acceptance rates change every cycle, so confirm current figures on each school's admissions page before applying.

Is a DO less respected than an MD?

• No. DOs and MDs are both fully licensed physicians, and in the 2026 NRMP Main Residency Match, U.S. DO seniors reached a record-high 93.2% PGY-1 match rate, close to the 93.5% rate for U.S. MD seniors. DOs complete the same residencies, practice in every specialty, and hold identical licensure.

What are the most reputable DO schools?

• The most reputable DO schools combine full COCA accreditation, strong residency match rates, and established clinical networks. U.S. News no longer assigns numbered ranks to DO programs, sorting them into performance tiers instead, so no single school holds a definitive top spot.

What percent of DOs become surgeons?

• About 4% of DOs practice in general surgery, according to the American Osteopathic Association's 2025 report. Roughly 45% of DOs work in non-primary care specialties overall, with the most common being emergency medicine, anesthesiology, OB-GYN, psychiatry, and general surgery. DOs are eligible for every surgical residency, though the most competitive surgical specialties remain MD-dominated.

Which is harder, MD or DO?

• Both are equally rigorous. DO and MD students complete four years of medical school, pass licensing exams, and finish residency, and their admissions stats are similar. DO students take on additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).