16 Best Medical Schools in Texas – 2025
April 30, 2025
Texas is home to some of the nation’s top medical schools, each offering distinct opportunities shaped by the state’s healthcare needs. With world-class institutions like the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and the Texas Medical Center in Houston, students gain access to cutting-edge research, diverse patient populations, and specialized training in everything from rural health to advanced medical technologies. Whether you’re focused on urban or rural healthcare, Texas offers a wealth of options for aspiring doctors. Below are the top 16 medical schools in the state.
Please note that these schools are ordered by acceptance rate, from lowest to highest. The number is not indicative of one school being “better” than another. All schools on this list are fantastic world-class medical schools from which you can launch a successful medical career.
16 Best Medical Schools in Texas – 2025
1) Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine offers unmatched clinical and research opportunities in the heart of Houston’s Texas Medical Center. Known for receiving the 20th-highest NIH funding nationally, Baylor emphasizes collaboration across institutions. Although a private school, it maintains lower tuition for Texas residents thanks to public funding partnerships. In 2022, it switched from AMCAS to TMDSAS to better serve local applicants. With around 186 students entering each year, Baylor continues the tradition it began when founded in 1900: training healthcare leaders who are equally committed to research, clinical excellence, and community impact.
- Location: Houston
- Acceptance Rate: 6.1%
- Average GPA: 3.91
- Average MCAT: 518
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD, MS, PSTP
2) University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
One of the nation’s top-ranked public medical schools, UT Southwestern trains about 230 students each year through a curriculum known for its strong emphasis on academic rigor and clinical excellence. Founded in 1943, the school boasts affiliations with nationally ranked hospitals like Parkland Memorial and UT Southwestern University Hospitals. Research is a major focus, with $554 million in annual funding supporting projects in cancer, neuroscience, cardiology, and genetics. Students at UT Southwestern often graduate with exceptional preparation for competitive residencies across the country.
- Location: Dallas
- Acceptance Rate: 4.45%
- Average GPA: 3.89
- Average MCAT: 516
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD
3) Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
Students at the Long School of Medicine start working with patients almost immediately, reflecting the school’s strong focus on serving South Texas communities. Early clinical exposure, leadership in Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer research, and initiatives like the Student-Faculty Collaborative Practices define the student experience. Long was established in 1968 and now trains about 225 students per class. Clinical rotations take place at University Hospital and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, ensuring broad patient exposure and strong preparation for future practice, especially in underserved regions.
- Location: San Antonio
- Acceptance Rate: 8.4%
- Average GPA: 3.88
- Average MCAT: 518
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD
4) McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston
With around 240 students per class, McGovern Medical School stands as the largest in Texas and one of the largest in the U.S. Students enjoy early clinical exposure, access to $319 million annually in research funding, and a pass/fail grading system during their first semester to ease the academic transition. Founded in 1969, McGovern’s prime location in the Texas Medical Center offers unparalleled access to top-tier hospitals and a diverse patient population, preparing students for every corner of medicine — from infectious diseases to cardiovascular innovations.
- Location: Houston
- Acceptance Rate: 9.5%
- Average GPA: 3.88
- Average MCAT: 512
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD, MD/MS, MD/MBE, MD/OMFS
5) Texas A&M College of Medicine
With an emphasis on both rural and urban health, Texas A&M’s College of Medicine trains about 200 students across multiple campuses. Students start in Bryan-College Station before completing rotations in Dallas, Houston, Round Rock, or Temple. Founded in 1977, the college offers specialized tracks in military medicine and engineering-medicine (EnMed), blending clinical care with innovation. Research opportunities are abundant, particularly through connections to the Texas Medical Center, and the curriculum highlights early clinical exposure and service to underserved populations, staying true to A&M’s land-grant mission.
- Location: Bryan
- Acceptance Rate: 6.4%
- Average GPA: 3.86
- Average MCAT: 513
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD, MD/M.Eng, MD/MS
6) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Lubbock
Founded in 1969, Texas Tech’s School of Medicine focuses heavily on preparing physicians for rural and underserved regions. About 180 students start in Lubbock, later rotating through campuses in Amarillo, Odessa, or Permian Basin. Unique offerings include a three-year Family Medicine track for those committed to primary care. Facilities like the SimLife Center provide advanced simulation training, while clinical education centers on University Medical Center Hospital, West Texas’s only Level 1 trauma center. Graduates are known for stepping into areas where doctors are needed most.
- Location: Lubbock
- Acceptance Rate: 9.1%
- Average GPA: 3.9
- Average MCAT: 512
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/JD, MD/PhD
7) University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
At Texas’s first osteopathic medical school, about 230 students enter each year to train through an integrated, systems-based curriculum. Founded in 1970, UNTHSC-TCOM in Fort Worth emphasizes primary care, leadership development, and research, particularly in aging and public health. Students have access to a wide range of clinical sites, including rural and urban settings, and benefit from interprofessional education with pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant students, preparing them to deliver comprehensive, team-based care.
- Location: Fort Worth
- Acceptance Rate: 11.3%
- Average GPA: 3.81
- Average MCAT: 509
- Degrees Offered: DO
8) Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded recently in 2019, Sam Houston State’s College of Osteopathic Medicine addresses a critical need: producing primary care doctors for rural East Texas. About 75 students each year are trained through an integrated curriculum that blends science with early patient interaction, mainly in small community hospitals and clinics. Although SHSU is a public university, the medical school operates without state funding, meaning tuition mirrors private school costs. Students leave ready to tackle healthcare challenges in underserved areas, armed with hands-on training and a strong focus on compassionate, patient-centered care.
- Location: Conroe
- Acceptance Rate: 2.52%
- Average GPA: 3.7
- Average MCAT: 506
- Degrees Offered: DO
9) TCU School of Medicine
The TCU School of Medicine, based in Fort Worth’s new medical innovation district, takes a fresh approach to medical education through its “Empathetic Scholars” model. Instead of traditional lectures, students participate in flipped classrooms, narrative medicine workshops, and mandatory research projects. TCU welcomed its inaugural class in 2019 and maintains a small, tight-knit cohort of about 60 students per year. As one of Texas’s three private medical schools, it emphasizes emotional intelligence alongside technical skill, producing doctors prepared to lead with both expertise and heart.
- Location: Fort Worth
- Acceptance Rate: 1%
- Average GPA: 3.66
- Average MCAT: 509
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MPH, MD/PhD
10) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Serving a unique border community, the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine requires all students to learn medical Spanish and dive into patient care early on. With around 100 students per class, PLFSOM prepares future doctors through community-based initiatives and a “Society, Community and Individual” curriculum that links classroom learning directly to real-world public health needs. Founded in 2009, the school combines cutting-edge simulation training with hands-on experiences at the U.S.–Mexico border, producing physicians equipped for culturally competent care.
- Location: El Paso
- Acceptance Rate: Not disclosed
- Average GPA: 3.82
- Average MCAT: 509
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH
11) University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Located in San Antonio, UIWSOM takes a unique approach to osteopathic medical education with a case-based, learner-centered curriculum. Founded in 2015, the school admits around 150 students each year and integrates clinical experiences early, with students spending significant time in community clinics serving diverse and often underserved populations. Faith, service, and social accountability are key pillars, reflecting the broader mission of the University of the Incarnate Word.
- Location: San Antonio
- Acceptance Rate: Not disclosed
- Average GPA: 3.6
- Average MCAT: 503
- Degrees Offered: DO
12) University of Houston College of Medicine
Founded in 2020, the University of Houston College of Medicine focuses on addressing healthcare disparities by training physicians in primary care and prevention. With a class size of about 30–40 students, UH prioritizes early clinical exposure, social determinants of health, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students work weekly in primary care settings and engage in household-centered care programs. The curriculum emphasizes managing real-world challenges like chronic disease, pain management, and global health. By partnering with local clinics and community organizations, UH fosters a strong commitment to service, aiming to close healthcare gaps and promote wellness throughout underserved urban and rural areas of Texas.
- Location: Houston
- Acceptance Rate: Not disclosed
- Average GPA: 3.59
- Average MCAT: 506
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH
13) University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
Dell Medical School reimagines medical education with a curriculum designed around value-based care, leadership, and innovation. Founded in 2013, Dell keeps class sizes small — about 50 students each year — and builds in a unique “Innovation, Leadership, and Discovery” year for students to pursue independent projects. Students work closely with underserved communities in Austin and rotate through Ascension Seton hospitals, gaining real-world experience in healthcare transformation and community-centered medicine.
- Location: Austin
- Acceptance Rate: 2.3%
- Average GPA: 3.78
- Average MCAT: 514
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/MS, MD/MA
14) University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Founded in 1891 as the first medical school in Texas, UTMB trains about 230 students each year on its Galveston campus. Students complete early clinical experiences at the John Sealy Hospital and benefit from the school’s deep roots in primary care, infectious disease research, and disaster medicine. UTMB offers multiple dual degree options and serves as a national leader in telemedicine and global health programs, blending historic tradition with cutting-edge healthcare solutions.
- Location: Galveston
- Acceptance Rate: 10.6%
- Average GPA: 3.8
- Average MCAT: 511
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/PhD
15) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Serving the South Texas border region, UTRGV School of Medicine prioritizes bilingual, culturally competent healthcare. Around 50 students are admitted annually, with a curriculum focused on community health, preventive medicine, and research into health disparities. Founded in 2015, UTRGV offers students early clinical exposure through partnerships with local clinics and hospitals and emphasizes service learning and public health initiatives throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
- Location: Edinburg
- Acceptance Rate: Not disclosed
- Average GPA: 3.69
- Average MCAT: 508
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/MS
16) University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
The first medical school in East Texas, UT Tyler School of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of about 40 students in 2023. Built around a mission to improve healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, the program focuses heavily on primary care, population health, and interprofessional collaboration. Students train across the UT Health East Texas system, gaining early clinical exposure and working closely with community clinics to address regional health disparities.
- Location: Edinburg
- Acceptance Rate: Not disclosed
- Average GPA: 3.75
- Average MCAT: 506
- Degrees Offered: MD, MD/MBA, MD/MS
Next Steps
After narrowing down your list of Texas medical schools, it’s time to dive into the application process:
- Develop a customized application timeline for each school.
- Create a targeted study plan for the MCAT to ensure you’re fully prepared.
- Gather strong letters of recommendation from mentors who understand your potential.
- Refine your personal statement to highlight what sets you apart.
- Practice for interviews to confidently demonstrate why you’re a perfect fit for each program.
This process can feel overwhelming, but remember, the road to becoming a doctor or surgeon is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay determined, stay passionate, and you’ll emerge stronger and ready to thrive in medical school.
You may also wish to explore these related blogs:
