Last updated: April 2026. MCAT averages, acceptance rates and match data are verified against the most recently available AACOM, NRMP and individual school sources. Data changes annually — verify directly with each school before making application decisions.
If you are reading this, you are probably in one of two situations. Either you are a pre-med student trying to figure out whether the DO path is right for you and which programs are worth applying to, or you have already taken the MCAT and you are building your application list. Either way, the standard “here are the top 10 ranked schools” articles you have probably already read are not giving you what you actually need to make a good decision.
This guide is different. We cover 12 of the most frequently referenced DO programs in the country using the metrics that actually matter. We explain what those metrics mean in practical terms for an applicant. We walk through the application process and timeline. And we include a section on the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, not as the focus of the guide, but as one strong program worth understanding alongside the others.
A few things worth knowing before we get into the data.
There are 46 accredited DO programs operating across 73 locations in 36 states. The distinction between schools and locations matters because some institutions, like LECOM, operate multiple campuses under one accreditation while others run a single site. In 2026, U.S. News moved to a tier-based system for DO schools rather than individual numeric rankings, partly because many strong programs declined to fill out the statistical survey required for placement. Being unranked does not mean a program is lower quality. ATSU-KCOM, PCOM, LECOM and ICOM are all unranked for exactly that reason, and all four have outcomes data that competes with Tier 1 and Tier 2 programs.
One more structural change that shapes how you should think about DO school selection. In June 2020 the ACGME and AOA completed a single accreditation merger that brought all U.S. residency programs under one unified system. DO and MD graduates now apply through the same Electronic Residency Application Service and match through the same National Resident Matching Program. There is no longer a separate DO residency track. This means the question is no longer whether DO graduates can access the same residencies as MD graduates. They can and the data proves it. The question is how well a specific school prepares its graduates to compete for them.
What to Look for in a DO School — An 8-Point Evaluation Framework
Before we profile individual programs here is the framework for evaluating them. A school that is genuinely excellent for one student may be the wrong fit for another and the metrics that matter most depend entirely on where you are trying to go.
1. Residency Match Rate
This is the single most important outcome metric a DO school can publish. It measures whether the program actually prepares its graduates for the next step. The gold standard across top DO programs is 99% and above.
Something most guides skip: there is a meaningful difference between a PGY-1 match rate and an overall GME placement rate. PGY-1 refers specifically to first-year postgraduate positions matched through the NRMP algorithm. Overall GME placement rates can include additional pathways like SOAP and military matches. When comparing programs ask which figure is being reported and whether it includes all graduates or only those who participated in the main match. Both numbers matter and they can differ.
In the 2025 NRMP Main Residency Match, DO seniors matched at a 92.6% PGY-1 rate, an all-time high. MD seniors matched at 93.5%. Less than one percentage point separates the two groups and the gap has narrowed consistently since the 2020 merger. Individual programs vary significantly from this national average, which is why school-level match data matters more than the aggregate figure when evaluating specific programs.
2. Primary Care and Rural Health Placement
In the 2024 U.S. News rankings, all 14 of the top medical schools for graduates practicing primary care were DO schools. This was the first time in history this had happened. In the 2025 rankings the number was eight of the top ten, and in the 2026 rankings nine of the top ten. The trend is clear and consistent even if the specific count shifts year to year.
This reflects something real about the alignment between osteopathic training’s whole-person philosophy and what primary care practice demands. Primary care placement rate measures the percentage of a school’s graduates who end up practicing in primary care specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and general practice. If this is the direction you are heading, primary care placement rate deserves more weight in your evaluation than any U.S. News tier.
3. COMLEX Board Performance
Every DO student must pass the COMLEX-USA, a three-level examination series, before receiving a state medical license. How a school’s students perform on COMLEX relative to national averages is a meaningful signal of curriculum quality.
COMLEX performance data is not always publicly reported in a standardized way. Some schools publish pass rates, others publish average scores and others report neither without being asked. If board performance is a priority ask admissions offices specifically for their COMLEX pass rates and average scores relative to national benchmarks before committing to a program.
Many DO students targeting competitive specialties choose to also sit for the USMLE Step 2 CK. Since Step 1 went pass/fail in 2022, Step 2 CK has become the primary differentiating exam score in competitive residency applications. Taking both exams is not required but it expands options in highly competitive surgical and procedural fields. Whether this dual-board strategy makes sense for you depends on your target specialty and should be discussed with your academic advisor early in medical school.
4. Curriculum Structure and OMM Integration
Not all DO programs structure their curriculum the same way. Some use traditional lecture-based formats. Others use problem-based learning, directed study, hybrid models or accelerated pathways. LECOM alone offers five distinct learning formats. If you know how you learn best, curriculum structure deserves more weight in your school selection than most applicants give it.
OMM training is required across all DO programs and typically ranges from 200 to 500 additional hours beyond the standard medical curriculum. How that training is integrated, whether it runs as a separate track or is woven into clinical case discussions, affects how students ultimately internalize and use it.
5. Accreditation Status
All DO programs must hold accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Full accreditation is the baseline you should require of any program you seriously consider. Some programs begin with provisional accreditation and work toward full status over time. This matters because accreditation status affects eligibility for federal financial aid, ability to sit for licensing examinations and how residency programs view your degree. Verify a school’s current accreditation status directly through the COCA website rather than relying on the school’s own materials.
6. Tuition and Total Cost of Attendance
Annual tuition across DO programs ranges from under $20,000 to over $70,000. But sticker tuition is only part of the real cost. A $61,000 program in San Francisco costs considerably more to attend than a $67,000 program in a mid-sized city with a lower cost of living. When comparing programs on cost, calculate true total cost of attendance including housing, transportation and living expenses for the city where the school is located.
It is also worth knowing that several DO programs in underserved or rural areas qualify their graduates for federal and state loan repayment programs. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 in tax-free loan repayment for primary care physicians serving in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Idaho has its own Rural Physician Incentive Program for physicians who practice in underserved communities after training. For students heading into primary care in rural areas these programs can meaningfully change the financial picture.
7. Geographic Mission and Practice Location
Research on physician geographic distribution consistently shows that physicians tend to practice within a few hundred miles of where they completed their training. Where a school is located is not just a lifestyle consideration. It is a meaningful predictor of where your career will be built.
If you already know where you want to practice, this factor should carry significant weight in your decision. A school in the region where you intend to build your career gives you clinical relationships, community familiarity and geographic positioning that a school 2,000 miles away cannot replicate.
8. Mission Alignment and Institutional Culture
Mission alignment is mentioned in almost every DO school guide and almost never given a practical framework for evaluation. Here are specific questions worth asking during school visits and interviews to actually assess it.
What percentage of your graduates enter primary care? What communities does your clinical rotation network primarily serve? How many of your graduates end up practicing within your state or region? What does your incoming class look like in terms of prior community service and healthcare experience? What does the school specifically look for in applicants that grades and test scores alone cannot capture?
The answers tell you far more about institutional culture than any marketing material will.
DO School MCAT and GPA Averages
The national average MCAT for DO matriculants in 2024 was approximately 500, according to AACOM data compiled by UConn Pre-Medical Advising. A separate third-party analysis puts the figure at 502.97 for the same cycle. The national average GPA for DO matriculants in 2024 was approximately 3.59 according to AACOM’s own GPA report, though some sources citing AACOM data report it as 3.63. The safe and honest characterization is that national average GPA falls in the 3.59 to 3.63 range across recent cycles depending on the source and methodology.
These are averages across all 42 accredited programs and they mask significant variation between schools. Individual program averages range from around 3.38 GPA and 502 MCAT at the lower end to 3.71 GPA and 509 MCAT at the most selective programs.
A few things worth knowing that most guides skip.
DO programs evaluate both your cumulative GPA and your science GPA as separate metrics. A strong overall average built on non-science coursework does not read the same way as a strong overall average that includes strong science performance. If there is a meaningful gap between your two GPAs, address it directly in your personal statement.
MCAT averages at most DO schools have been rising year over year. Data from 2020 or 2021 that still circulates on some sites is no longer accurate for programs that have become more selective. Always verify with the school’s most recent published data or contact admissions directly.
One more thing the numbers-focused part of this process makes easy to miss. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine is ranked number one in the nation for graduates practicing primary care. Its average accepted GPA is 3.38 and average MCAT is 504. That outcome at those academic benchmarks tells you something important: the most mission-aligned programs are selecting on fit and commitment as much as on numbers.
DO School MCAT and GPA Comparison Table
| School | Avg Accepted GPA | Avg Accepted MCAT |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State U COM | 3.5–3.7 | 506–508 |
| Western U of Health Sciences COMP | 3.6 | 507 |
| UNT Health Science Center TCOM | 3.6+ | 504–506 |
| Lake Erie COM | 3.2–3.5 | 502 |
| A.T. Still U — KCOM | 3.71 | 503 |
| Des Moines U COM | 3.64–3.66 | 507–508.5 |
| Edward Via COM | 3.6 | 506 |
| William Carey U COM | 3.4+ | 500+ |
| Nova Southeastern U | 3.5+ | 506 |
| Philadelphia COM | 3.5 | 505 |
| Touro U California COM | 3.56 | 509 |
| Alabama COM | 3.38 | 504 |
| ICOM | 3.54 | 505.4 |
| National Average (AACOM 2024) | ~3.59–3.63 | ~500–503 |
| Source: AACOM 2024–2025 data, individual school admissions pages, UConn Pre-Medical Advising national data summary. Figures represent incoming class averages from the most recently available cycle. Verify with each school directly as averages change year over year. | ||
Where does your profile fit?
If your GPA is above 3.6 and your MCAT is above 505, you are competitive across most programs on this list including the more selective ones. If your GPA is in the 3.4 to 3.6 range and your MCAT is in the 500 to 505 range, you are in the overlap zone where mission fit, clinical experience, a strong personal statement and a letter from a practicing DO physician carry significant weight. If your numbers sit below those ranges, focus on programs with more accessible benchmarks, a very strong non-academic application and clear alignment with that school’s specific mission.
DO School Acceptance Rates
DO program acceptance rates range from approximately 5% to 33% depending on the school. The national overall acceptance rate across all DO programs is approximately 63% per the 2025 AACOM application cycle data, but that figure is structurally misleading and worth explaining.
The 63% national average reflects the ratio of acceptances to applicants across the entire system. It does not mean any individual student has a 63% chance of being accepted somewhere. Students self-select which programs to apply to based on their profiles, which means the applicant pool for more selective programs is already filtered before acceptance rates are calculated. The national figure is an artifact of how the data aggregates, not a realistic individual odds estimate.
Acceptance Rate Ranges Across Profiled Programs
| School | Approximate Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama COM | ~5% |
| Western U of Health Sciences COMP | ~5.7% |
| Edward Via COM | ~6% |
| Touro U California COM | ~8–10% |
| A.T. Still U — KCOM | ~9% |
| UNT Health Science Center TCOM | ~7–10% (TX residents) / ~1% (OOS) |
| Lake Erie COM | ~11% |
| Philadelphia COM | ~12% |
| Michigan State U COM | ~10–12% |
| Nova Southeastern U | ~15% |
| Des Moines U COM | ~16% |
| William Carey U COM | ~33% |
| Source: Individual school data and third-party admissions resources. Rates vary by application cycle and applicant pool composition. Verify with each school directly. | |
What actually affects your acceptance odds
Academic benchmarks are the starting point but not the whole story at most DO programs.
Clinical experience matters and shadowing a practicing DO physician specifically is commonly expected at osteopathic programs. It signals that you have actually seen what osteopathic medicine looks like before deciding it is the right path. Programs can tell the difference between an applicant who has done this thoughtfully and one who logged hours to check a box.
Your personal statement needs to address why osteopathic medicine specifically, not just why medicine generally. A statement that could be submitted unchanged to either DO or MD programs signals that you have not done the thinking osteopathic admissions committees expect.
Rolling admissions matters more than most applicants realize. Most DO programs use rolling admissions, meaning an application submitted in June competes in a much larger pool of available seats than the same application submitted in October. Applying early meaningfully affects your odds.
One structural note for Texas applicants: TCOM uses TMDSAS rather than AACOMAS. This is a completely separate application system specific to Texas medical schools. If you are a Texas resident and TCOM is on your list, know this before you start your applications.
How many programs should you apply to?
Most admissions consultants recommend applying to 15 to 25 DO programs for applicants in the middle of the academic range. Stronger applicants may apply more selectively. Applicants closer to program minimums should apply more broadly. The cost of applications is real but the cost of a gap year is considerably higher.
DO Match Rates — What Residencies Can DOs Get?
Since the 2020 ACGME single accreditation merger, DO graduates apply to all residency programs through the same system as MD graduates. There is no separate DO match. In the 2025 NRMP Main Residency Match, DO seniors matched at a 92.6% PGY-1 rate, an all-time high, compared to 93.5% for MD seniors. Less than one percentage point separates the two groups.
Source: NRMP 2025 Main Residency Match Results and Data
DO seniors matched into 40 specialties in 2025. According to NBOME data the breakdown of positions filled by DO seniors in key specialties was as follows.
DO senior representation in 2025 specialties — percentage of specialty positions filled by DO seniors
| Specialty | DO Senior % of Filled Positions |
|---|---|
| Family Medicine | 32.6% |
| Emergency Medicine | 35.9% |
| Internal Medicine | 16.6% |
| Pediatrics | 21.0% |
| Psychiatry | 22.8% |
| OB-GYN | 19.8% |
| Anesthesiology | 17.1% |
| General Surgery | 13.3% |
| Physical Medicine and Rehab | 35%+ |
| Source: NBOME 2025 Match Day data. Figures represent the percentage of each specialty’s filled PGY-1 positions that went to DO seniors, not the percentage of DO seniors entering each specialty. | |
DO seniors represent more than one third of total filled PGY-1 positions in physical medicine and rehabilitation, emergency medicine and family medicine. They filled approximately 20% or more of positions in psychiatry, pediatrics and OB-GYN.
Where the path requires more deliberate preparation
Highly competitive surgical specialties, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, dermatology and plastic surgery, remain fields where DO applicants need more strategic preparation. DO seniors matched into all of these fields in 2025 but plastic surgery specifically had only 2 DO seniors among 221 filled positions. In orthopedic surgery DO seniors posted a 1.3 percentage point gain year over year, a positive trend but still a field where MD representation dominates heavily.
Students targeting these specialties should plan for dual board preparation including USMLE Step 2 CK, strong research output and competitive away rotations. The path is real but requires deliberate preparation starting early in medical school.
A note on USMLE Step 1 going pass/fail
Since Step 1 went pass/fail in 2022, Step 2 CK has become the primary differentiating exam score in competitive residency applications. DO students previously considering USMLE primarily for a strong Step 1 score need to recalibrate. The conversation now centers on Step 2 CK performance and that preparation needs to be built into second year planning, not decided in third year.
What individual school match rates tell you and what they don’t
The 92.6% national average includes every DO graduate across all 42 programs. A student at a school with a 99% match rate is operating at the program level, which is meaningfully different from the national average.
Match rate also tells you whether graduates matched. It does not tell you where they matched or into what caliber of program. Ask programs directly about their specialty distribution and the range of programs their graduates are entering, not just the headline match rate number.
The Primary Care Rankings — What DO Schools Are Actually Achieving
This is worth its own section because it is one of the most significant data points in American medical education and most applicants have never seen the full list.
In the 2024 U.S. News rankings, AACOM documented that all 14 of the top medical schools for graduates practicing primary care were osteopathic programs. This was the first time in history this had happened. In 2025 the number was eight of the top ten. In 2026 it was nine of the top ten. Across all three recent cycles DO schools dominate the top of this list consistently.
Top 14 Primary Care Medical Schools
| Rank | School |
|---|---|
| #1 | Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) |
| #2 | Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| #3 | Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM |
| #4 | William Carey University COM |
| #5 | Touro University California COM |
| #6 | A.T. Still University — School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona |
| #7 | Western University of Health Sciences COMP |
| #8 | A.T. Still University — Kirksville COM |
| #9 (tie) | Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk COM |
| #9 (tie) | University of North Texas Health Science Center — Texas COM |
| #11 | Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine |
| #12 (tie) | Marian University Tom and Julie Wood COM |
| #12 (tie) | Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| #14 | Michigan State University COM |
| Source: AACOM Primary Care Rankings Press Release, July 2024 | |
Additionally in the 2024 rankings six of the top ten schools nationally for graduates practicing in rural areas were DO programs. ATSU-KCOM held the number one rural health position, followed by William Carey University COM.
Individual School Profiles — 12 Notable DO Programs
These are not rankings. They are honest profiles of what each school genuinely offers and who it is best suited for.
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) East Lansing, Michigan | Founded 1969
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5–3.7 | 506–508 | ~10–12% | ~$44,338 (IS) / ~$89,182 (OOS) | ~99% | Tier 2 |
MSUCOM carries a distinction no other DO school can claim: the first osteopathic medical school at a public university in the United States. It launched the first DO/PhD dual degree program in the country in 1979, reflecting a research culture that has defined this program for over five decades.
Three campuses in East Lansing, Clinton Township and Detroit give students geographic flexibility and exposure to a range of patient populations. The systems-based integrated curriculum moves students into clinical settings early. MSUCOM appeared in the top 14 for primary care graduates and in the top 10 for graduates practicing in underserved areas in the 2024 U.S. News rankings.
Dual degree options: DO/PhD (first in the nation), DO/MBA
Best for: Students who want a public university affiliation, dual degree options including a research track and more manageable in-state tuition relative to private DO programs.
Western University of Health Sciences — COMP Pomona, California | Founded 1977
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 507 | ~5.7% | ~$70,000+ | ~99% | Tier 1 |
WesternU COMP holds the highest U.S. News tier of any DO school in the country. At approximately 5.7% acceptance it is one of the most selective programs on this list. The school ranks seventh nationally for primary care graduates in the 2024 rankings and benefits from a robust interprofessional education model sharing clinical sites with WesternU’s other health science programs. Tuition is among the highest of any DO program.
Best for: Highly competitive applicants who want the most elite U.S. News tier available in DO education and clinical access across Southern California.
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 507 | ~5.7% | ~$70,000+ | ~99% | Tier 1 |
University of North Texas Health Science Center — Texas COM (TCOM) Fort Worth, Texas | Founded 1970
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6+ | 504–506 | ~7–10% (TX) / ~1% (OOS) | Under $20,000 (IS) | ~98% | Tier 2 |
TCOM wins one category by a wide margin: tuition. Under $20,000 per year for Texas residents makes this the most affordable DO education in the country. The school has received the highest level of accreditation from COCA and ranks in the top ten nationally for primary care graduates. The structural limitation is significant: 90% of seats are reserved for Texas residents and the out-of-state acceptance rate approaches 1%. TCOM also uses TMDSAS rather than AACOMAS.
Best for: Texas residents who want the most affordable DO education in the country without sacrificing primary care outcomes or national recognition.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Erie, PA; Greensburg, PA; Bradenton, FL; Elmira, NY | Founded 1992
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2–3.5 | 502 | ~11% | ~$52,000–$57,000 | 99.4%* | Unranked (declined survey) |
TCOM wins one category by a wide margin: tuition. Under $20,000 per year for Texas residents makes this the most affordable DO education in the country. The school has received the highest level of accreditation from COCA and ranks in the top ten nationally for primary care graduates. The structural limitation is significant: 90% of seats are reserved for Texas residents and the out-of-state acceptance rate approaches 1%. TCOM also uses TMDSAS rather than AACOMAS.
Best for: Texas residents who want the most affordable DO education in the country without sacrificing primary care outcomes or national recognition.
A.T. Still University — Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) Kirksville, Missouri | Founded 1892
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Placement Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.71 | 503 | ~9% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | 99.5% (4-yr rolling)* | Unranked (declined survey) |
ATSU-KCOM is the oldest osteopathic medical school in the world, founded by Andrew Taylor Still himself in 1892. The school’s official postgraduate placement page reports a four-year rolling average placement rate of 99.5%, which includes SOAP and military pathways in addition to the main NRMP match. BeMo lists the school’s match rate separately at 99.2%. It ranked eighth nationally for primary care graduates in the 2024 U.S. News rankings and in the top ten for rural and underserved graduates.
This figure is a placement rate that includes SOAP and military matches, not strictly a PGY-1 NRMP match rate.
Best for: Students who want to train at the birthplace of osteopathic medicine with a deep rural health mission and a 130-year institutional legacy.
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) West Des Moines, Iowa | Founded 1898
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.64–3.66 | 507–508.5 | ~16% | ~$61,393 | ~99–100% | #2 primary care graduates (2024) |
DMU-COM is ranked second in the nation for graduates practicing primary care in the 2024 U.S. News rankings. The school opened a brand new 88-acre campus in West Des Moines in summer 2023. An acceptance rate around 16% makes it one of the more accessible strong programs on this list. The school also offers a global health program with international rotations and a post-graduation OMM fellowship.
Best for: Students who want a top-two national ranking for primary care outcomes, modern facilities and a more accessible admissions process.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) Virginia, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama | Founded 2002
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.64–3.66 | 507–508.5 | ~16% | ~$61,393 | ~99–100% | #2 primary care graduates (2024) |
VCOM’s Class of 2025 achieved a combined final match rate of 99.6% across all four campuses with an initial match rate of 97%, significantly above the national DO average of 92.6%. These figures are confirmed on VCOM’s official website. VCOM also claims the lowest tuition among private osteopathic medical schools, saving students an estimated $50,000 to $60,000 compared to the average private DO program over four years. Sixty-three percent of the Class of 2025 matched into primary care specialties.
Final match rate includes SOAP. Initial match rate of 97% is the stricter PGY-1 figure.
Best for: Students who want the strongest match outcomes among private DO schools at the most affordable private DO tuition, with a mission focused on rural, Appalachian and military communities.
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Founded 2010
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4+ | 500+ | ~33% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | ~99% | Tier 2; #1 rural health graduates |
WCUCOM is ranked number one in the nation for graduates practicing in rural areas in the 2024 U.S. News rankings and number four nationally for primary care graduates. A 33% acceptance rate makes it one of the most accessible entry points to nationally recognized DO education. Academic benchmarks of minimum 3.4 GPA and MCAT of 500 are among the most accessible of any nationally recognized DO program.
Best for: Students with a rural medicine mission who want national recognition and accessible admissions standards.
Nova Southeastern University — Dr. Kiran C. Patel COM (NSU-KPCOM) Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater, Florida | Founded 1981
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5+ | 506 | ~15% | ~$68,858 | ~99% | Tier 4 |
NSU-KPCOM offers something genuinely rare: a campus where DO and MD students train side by side, sharing clinical sites, simulation centers and interprofessional education experiences. South Florida provides access to one of the most diverse patient populations in the country. Dual degree options include DO/MPH and DO/MBA.
Dual degree options: DO/MPH, DO/MBA
Best for: Students who want to train alongside MD peers in a diverse South Florida clinical environment with interprofessional education built into the program.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Philadelphia, PA; Suwanee, GA; Moultrie, GA | Founded 1899
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 505 | ~12% | ~$55,000–$65,000 | ~98–99% | Unranked (declined survey) |
Founded in 1899, PCOM is one of the oldest and most established private DO institutions in the country with over 12,000 living alumni worldwide and campuses spanning Philadelphia, the Atlanta metro and South Georgia. PCOM uses a holistic admissions process with no minimum GPA requirement. Like ATSU-KCOM, it chose not to participate in the U.S. News survey.
Best for: Students who value institutional legacy, a large alumni network, multi-campus geographic options and holistic admissions review.
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-CA) Vallejo, California | Founded 1997
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.56 | 509 | ~8–10% | ~$63,910 | ~98–99% | Tier 2 |
TUCOM-CA carries the highest average MCAT of any program on this list at approximately 509. It ranks Tier 2 in U.S. News and fifth nationally for primary care graduates in the 2024 rankings. Located on Mare Island in the San Francisco Bay Area, students have access to one of the most clinically diverse markets in the country.
Best for: Academically strong applicants who want a Tier 2 ranked program with top-five primary care outcomes and Bay Area clinical access.
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) Dothan, Alabama | Founded 2013
| Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Acceptance Rate | Tuition/Year | Match Rate | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.38 | 504 | ~5% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | ~99% | #1 primary care graduates (2024) |
ACOM is ranked number one in the entire nation for graduates practicing primary care in the 2024 U.S. News rankings. Not number one among DO schools. Number one among all medical schools in the United States. For a program that did not exist until 2013 this is a remarkable achievement. With an average GPA of 3.38 and MCAT of 504, ACOM’s incoming class does not look like a number-one ranked program by traditional metrics. But 99% of graduates match into residency and more go into primary care than graduates of any other school in the country. That gap between academic benchmarks and outcomes tells you something important about what mission-driven selection actually produces.
Best for: Students with a genuine primary care mission who want to train at the school producing more primary care physicians than any other in the United States.
What Sets ICOM Apart
We are including this section because prospective students researching DO programs deserve honest information about ICOM alongside the other programs on this list. The goal here is not to tell you ICOM is the best choice. It is to tell you what ICOM actually offers, what it does not offer and who it is genuinely the right fit for.
The basics
ICOM is Idaho’s first and only osteopathic medical school, founded in 2016 and located in Meridian in the Treasure Valley adjacent to the Idaho State University Health Sciences Center. The facility is 94,000 square feet across three floors, purpose-built for medical education. Students come from 27 states and only 22% of the Fall 2024 entering class were Idaho residents, meaning students are choosing ICOM specifically rather than defaulting to it for proximity.
The outcomes data
Since the first graduating class ICOM has produced 588 graduates. Of those, 99 to 100% have matched into residency. More than 25 have served as chief residents and more than 15 have secured fellowship matches in competitive subspecialties including programs at Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic. Students perform at or above the national average on COMLEX board examinations. BeMo Academic Consulting lists ICOM’s match rate at 99.8%.
For a program founded in 2016, these outcomes are directly competitive with programs that have been operating for five to thirteen decades longer.
How ICOM sits in the data
ICOM’s average accepted MCAT of 505.4 exceeds LECOM (502), ATSU-KCOM (503) and ACOM (504). Its average accepted GPA of 3.54 is above LECOM (3.2), ACOM (3.38) and at or above PCOM (3.5) and WCUCOM (3.4+). Its tuition of $67,490 per year sits below WesternU COMP at over $70,000 and NSU-KPCOM at $68,858 while delivering comparable match outcomes.
What ICOM does not offer
Being direct about this matters. ICOM does not have the 130-year legacy of ATSU-KCOM or the 125-year alumni network of PCOM. It does not have the research infrastructure of MSUCOM or the Tier 1 U.S. News placement of WesternU COMP. It has not had the time to build the depth of graduate relationships and regional reputation that institutions operating for generations carry. These are real considerations for students who weigh legacy and research infrastructure heavily.
The unranked status
ICOM chose not to participate in the U.S. News statistical survey, which is why it appears unranked. This is the same decision made by ATSU-KCOM, PCOM, LECOM and others. It reflects a choice about where to invest institutional resources, not a reflection of educational quality. ICOM’s full accreditation from COCA is current.
The geographic mission
Idaho and the Mountain West have a genuine and growing physician shortage. Communities across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the broader region have significant gaps in primary care access that have been building for years. ICOM was built specifically to address that problem. Fifty-four percent of graduates enter primary care specialties, reflecting a student body that largely chose this program because of that mission.
If you want to practice in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming or the Pacific Northwest, where you train matters. ICOM is the only DO school in Idaho and the Mountain West. That is a factual differentiator no other program can replicate.
What ICOM looks for in applicants
Beyond GPA and MCAT, ICOM evaluates mission alignment seriously. Shadowing a DO physician is expected as evidence that you understand what osteopathic medicine looks like in practice. Clinical experience in underserved or rural settings is viewed favorably. Community service history is considered. Your personal statement needs to speak specifically to why osteopathic medicine and why ICOM, not just why medicine generally. A letter from a practicing DO physician is commonly expected.
Rolling admissions means applying early in the cycle meaningfully affects your odds. Aim to have your AACOMAS application verified and submitted as close to the opening date as possible.
Who ICOM is right for
Students drawn to primary care, family medicine, rural health or community medicine who want outcomes that compete with the strongest programs in the country. Students who want to train in one of the fastest-growing regions of the United States and who intend to build their careers in the Mountain West or Pacific Northwest. Students who connect with a mission rooted in addressing real physician shortages in real communities.
ICOM is not the right fit for every applicant. Students who want a research-intensive environment, a large multi-generational alumni network or a specific U.S. News tier will find programs on this list that serve those priorities better.
DO School Dual Degree Options
Several programs on this list offer dual degree pathways worth knowing about if you are considering research, public health, business administration or an accelerated path.
| School | Available Dual Degrees |
|---|---|
| Michigan State U COM | DO/PhD (first in the nation, est. 1979), DO/MBA |
| Nova Southeastern U | DO/MPH, DO/MBA |
| Des Moines U COM | Available through DMU’s broader health science programs |
| LECOM | Joint degree pathways vary by campus |
The DO/PhD track at MSUCOM is worth specific mention for students considering a physician-scientist career. It was the first such program in the country and offers research infrastructure that most DO schools cannot match. If academic medicine and federally funded research are part of your long-term picture, MSUCOM has the deepest infrastructure for that path among DO schools on this list.
Master Comparison Table
| School | Avg GPA | Avg MCAT | Accept % | Tuition/Yr | Match/Placement Rate | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State U COM | 3.5–3.7 | 506–508 | ~10–12% | ~$44,338 (IS) | ~99% | Tier 2, first public DO school, DO/PhD |
| Western U of Health Sciences COMP | 3.6 | 507 | ~5.7% | ~$70,000+ | ~99% | Tier 1, most selective |
| UNT Health Science Center TCOM | 3.6+ | 504–506 | ~7–10% (TX) | Under $20,000 (IS) | ~98% | Tier 2, lowest tuition |
| Lake Erie COM | 3.2–3.5 | 502 | ~11% | ~$52,000–$57,000 | 99.4%† | Largest class, MCAT waiver |
| A.T. Still U — KCOM | 3.71 | 503 | ~9% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | 99.5% (placement rate)‡ | Oldest DO school in world, 1892 |
| Des Moines U COM | 3.64–3.66 | 507–508.5 | ~16% | ~$61,393 | ~99–100% | #2 primary care (2024) |
| Edward Via COM | 3.6 | 506 | ~6% | Lowest private | 99.6% final / 97% initial* | Lowest cost private, strong mission |
| William Carey U COM | 3.4+ | 500+ | ~33% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | ~99% | #1 rural health (2024), Tier 2 |
| Nova Southeastern U | 3.5+ | 506 | ~15% | ~$68,858 | ~99% | Dual DO/MD campus |
| Philadelphia COM | 3.5 | 505 | ~12% | ~$55,000–$65,000 | ~98–99% | Est. 1899, holistic review |
| Touro U California COM | 3.56 | 509 | ~8–10% | ~$63,910 | ~98–99% | Tier 2, #5 primary care (2024) |
| Alabama COM | 3.38 | 504 | ~5% | ~$55,000–$60,000 | ~99% | #1 primary care nationally (2024) |
| ICOM | 3.54 | 505.4 | — | $67,490 | 99–100% | Only DO school in Idaho/Mountain West |
GPA and MCAT figures represent incoming class averages from most recently available data 2023–2025. Tuition reflects most recently reported academic year. Rankings references are 2024 U.S. News unless noted. ATSU-KCOM, PCOM, LECOM and ICOM are unranked by U.S. News because those schools declined to participate in the statistical survey, not because of outcomes quality.
DO Schools by Region
For students who already know where they want to practice, geographic distribution matters.
Northeast:
PCOM (Philadelphia), LECOM (Erie PA, Elmira NY), New York Institute of Technology COM, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York campuses)
Southeast:
VCOM (Virginia, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama), NSU-KPCOM (Florida), WCUCOM (Mississippi), ACOM (Alabama), Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk COM (Tennessee)
Midwest:
MSUCOM (Michigan), ATSU-KCOM (Missouri), DMU-COM (Iowa), Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University Heritage COM, Kansas City University COM, Marian University COM (Indiana)
South and Southwest:
TCOM (Texas), Oklahoma State University COM, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
West and Mountain West:
WesternU COMP (California), TUCOM-CA (California), Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM (Washington), ATSU-SOMA (Arizona), Midwestern University Arizona COM
Mountain West and Pacific Northwest gap:
ICOM in Meridian, Idaho is the only DO school in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, Washington is the closest geographic neighbor. For students intending to practice throughout this region these two programs serve an area no other DO school covers.
How to Choose the Right DO School for You
If primary care or community medicine is your goal, look at primary care placement rates. In the 2024 U.S. News rankings all 14 top schools for primary care graduates were DO programs. ACOM at number one, DMU-COM at number two, WCUCOM at number four and ATSU-KCOM at number eight are the programs most directly built around this mission.
If match outcomes are your primary concern, VCOM’s Class of 2025 achieved a 99.6% final match rate and 97% initial match rate. ATSU-KCOM reports a 99.5% four-year rolling placement rate. ICOM reports 99 to 100%. At this level the differences are marginal and curriculum quality, board support and specialty fit matter more than the headline number.
If cost is a real factor, TCOM is the clear winner for Texas residents at under $20,000 in-state. For everyone else run the total cost of attendance calculation including cost of living, not just tuition. Also research federal and state loan repayment programs for primary care physicians in underserved areas.
If a dual degree matters, MSUCOM for DO/PhD is the strongest option. NSU-KPCOM offers DO/MPH and DO/MBA for students interested in public health or healthcare administration.
If institutional legacy matters, ATSU-KCOM at 130 years, PCOM at 125 years and MSUCOM’s decades of public university affiliation carry historical weight that newer programs are still building toward.
If geographic mission is central, where you train shapes where you practice. ICOM is the only DO school in the Mountain West. WCUCOM has the strongest rural health outcomes for students committed to rural Mississippi and the Southeast. TCOM provides the infrastructure and affordability for Texas residents committed to practicing in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which DO school is ranked number one?
The answer depends on what you are measuring. WesternU COMP holds the highest U.S. News tier (Tier 1). Alabama COM is ranked number one in the nation for graduates practicing primary care in the 2024 U.S. News rankings. William Carey University COM leads for graduates practicing in rural areas in the same cycle. VCOM achieved a 99.6% final match rate and 97% initial match rate for its Class of 2025, among the strongest match outcomes of any DO school. No single program leads all categories.
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Is ICOM a good medical school?
ICOM reports a 99 to 100% residency match rate with graduates who have matched at Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic. BeMo Academic Consulting lists ICOM’s match rate at 99.8%. Students perform at or above the national average on COMLEX. Founded in 2016, ICOM has 588 graduates, 25+ chief residents and 15+ fellowship matches. It is the only DO school in Idaho and the Mountain West. For students drawn to primary care and practice in the Mountain West the outcomes and mission make it a genuinely strong option. For students prioritizing legacy, research infrastructure or a specific U.S. News tier, other programs on this list will serve those priorities better.
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What MCAT do you need for DO school?
The national average MCAT for DO matriculants in 2024 was approximately 500 to 503 depending on the source, according to AACOM data. Individual program averages range from around 500 at the lower end to 509 at the most selective. ICOM’s average accepted MCAT is 505.4. Science GPA is evaluated separately from cumulative GPA at most programs.
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How many DO schools are there in the US?
There are 42 accredited osteopathic medical schools operating across 67 teaching locations in 36 states. The distinction between schools and locations matters because some institutions like LECOM operate multiple campuses under one accreditation.
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Can DO doctors specialize?
Yes, across every recognized medical specialty. In the 2025 NRMP Main Residency Match DO seniors matched into 40 specialties. DO seniors filled 35.9% of emergency medicine positions, 32.6% of family medicine positions and 21.0% of pediatrics positions. In competitive surgical fields like plastic surgery DO representation remains low (2 of 221 positions in 2025) and requires deliberate preparation including dual board exams and research output. The path into every specialty is real but some require more strategic planning than others.
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What is the difference between DO and MD school?
Both involve four years of medical school, national licensing examinations and ACGME-accredited residency training. DO students complete 200 to 500 additional hours of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine training. They are trained within a framework that treats the body as a whole integrated system and emphasizes the relationship between structure and function. Since the 2020 ACGME merger DO and MD graduates apply to the same residency programs through the same system. In terms of legal scope of practice and prescriptive authority the two degrees are equivalent.
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What is the easiest DO school to get into?
William Carey University COM has the highest acceptance rate among nationally recognized DO programs at approximately 33% with benchmarks of 3.4 GPA and 500 MCAT. LECOM accepts around 11% with averages of 3.2 to 3.5 GPA and 502 MCAT. Des Moines University COM at approximately 16% acceptance is also among the more accessible programs with strong national outcomes. Ease of admission should always be weighed against mission fit, match outcomes and your own goals.
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What DO schools are in the Mountain West or Pacific Northwest?
ICOM in Meridian, Idaho is the only DO school in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM is located in Yakima, Washington. Midwestern University Arizona COM and ATSU-SOMA both operate in Arizona. These programs collectively cover a large geographic region that represents one of the most significant physician shortage areas in the country.
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Can I get into DO school with a low GPA?
It depends on how low and what the rest of your application looks like. LECOM accepts students with GPAs in the 3.2 to 3.5 range. ACOM’s average accepted GPA is 3.38. WCUCOM accepts students with 3.4 and above. Programs with accessible academic benchmarks weight mission fit, clinical experience and personal statement heavily in holistic review.
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How long does it take to become a DO?
Most physicians spend 11 to 15 years from the start of undergraduate education to independent practice. Four years of undergraduate education. Four years of osteopathic medical school with the first two in classrooms and labs and the final two in clinical rotations. Three to seven years of residency depending on specialty. An optional fellowship of one to three years for subspecialization. After residency or fellowship you obtain your full state medical license and begin practicing as an attending physician.
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Is a DO degree worth it?
For students drawn to primary care, community medicine, rural health and whole-person practice the DO degree aligns directly with what those careers demand. In the 2024 U.S. News rankings all 14 top primary care schools nationally were DO programs. DO graduates practice across every specialty in every state. The 2025 match rate of 92.6% sits less than one percentage point below MD seniors. For students whose primary target is an ultra-competitive procedural subspecialty where MD representation dominates heavily at the most selective programs, the path requires more deliberate strategic preparation but remains open.
The DO Application Timeline
Junior year of undergrad — Spring Most serious applicants take the MCAT by May or June. AACOMAS opens in late April for the following fall’s entering class. You cannot submit until you have an MCAT score but you can prepare application materials in advance.
May to June — Application opens Submit as close to the opening date as possible. Rolling admissions programs begin reviewing and extending secondary invitations within weeks of opening. Early submission is the single most impactful timing decision you can make.
June to August — Secondary applications Most programs send secondary invitations after reviewing your primary. Complete them quickly. A secondary that sits for six weeks signals a lack of genuine interest.
August to December — Interviews Invitations go out on a rolling basis. Offers follow interviews, also on a rolling basis. A seat available in September may not be available in December as earlier applicants accept positions.
Late fall to early spring — Decisions Most applicants hear back between October and March. Programs can and do pressure early commitment with deposits.
Texas applicants: TCOM uses TMDSAS with its own timeline. Research the TMDSAS calendar specifically rather than assuming it mirrors AACOMAS.
Ready to Learn More About ICOM?
If what you have read in this guide points you toward ICOM and you want to understand specifically what your path to admission looks like, the admissions team is available to meet directly with prospective students at no cost. That conversation is a genuine two-way assessment, not a sales call. Come prepared with your academic profile, your clinical experience to date, your questions about the program and your honest sense of where you want to practice after training.
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