Reviewed by:
Former Chief Resident in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, & Admissions Officer, Columbia University
Reviewed: 10/11/23
How many medical schools are in Texas? How can you make sure your application stands out? To find out the answers to these questions and much more, take a look at our article on the best medical schools in Texas.
If you are hoping to attend one of the best Texas medical schools, knowing a few things before you apply will be helpful. The good medical schools in Texas are known for being leaders in research—particularly in cancer care—and for producing outstanding doctors.
The best med schools in Texas also carry stellar reputations across the United States, so whether you stay in-state or choose to establish a practice in another, your credentials will move with you. On top of this, Texas is known for its warm weather and many fun opportunities for students, such as sporting events and, yes, even the rodeo!
This guide will help you determine which of the good medical schools in Texas to concentrate your efforts on, how the application process works, and the details of each of them so you can make an informed choice. It will also cover the ins and outs regarding what makes Texas unique when it comes to your education.
The best Texas medical schools are attractive for many reasons. Many of these schools have good reputations, and the state itself offers warm weather throughout most of the year.
Furthermore, both rural and urban institutions have strong programs available. You can be any type of medical professional you wish, from a big-city doctor to a small-town family physician. There are 16 total schools to choose from and one Engineering Medical program in Texas.
14 of the medical schools use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS), while one uses the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) application, and one relies on The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Additionally, the Engineering Medical program uses AMCAS.
If you’re working on an application to medical schools in Texas, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the relevant application services.
If you are also applying to other schools in the U.S., consult our guide for the AAMC’s American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to learn how to submit those applications.
Now that you know the basics, you’re probably wondering, “How many medical schools are in Texas?” Let’s learn about each of Texas’ 16 med schools and explore the details you need to know to weigh your options. We’ll get into the course requirements for medical schools in Texas, the tuition, and more. Let’s get into it.
The table below breaks down each of the best Texas medical schools, their mission statements, a brief introduction to the school, the requirements to get in, and their expected tuition. Terms: IS – in-state, OOS – out-of-state, N/A – not available.
The Baylor College of Medicine is a private stand-alone medical school located within the Texas Medical Center, which is the largest medical center globally. Tracing its roots back to 1900, today, it features the only School of Tropical Medicine in North America. Its students learn from some of the most diverse patient populations in the U.S.
Requirements
You must have a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours, including:
This is a recently-established medical school founded in 2019. It’s the third osteopathic medical school in Texas, and it has a small, focused, and tight-knit community of doctors, students, and patients who learn from each other.
Requirements
Non-Science Courses Required
Established in 1970, the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine is taking the lead in research growth for the state of Texas. Special programs in this institution include a pediatric mobile clinic that offers no-cost care to children in underserved areas of Fort Worth. This charitable outreach focus makes it a social partner for many in the area.
Requirements
You must have taken the MCAT in the last three years and enrolled in at least the following courses:
Source: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine
Science is a good word to encapsulate the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. It is associated with the renowned Texas A&M University, which is famous for everything from football to military leaders. Notable alumni include Rip Torn and Phyllis Frye, the first openly trans judge in the U.S.
Requirements
You must have a C grade minimum in all of the following courses:
Source: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Established in 2007, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has finances on its side, thanks to a large number of donations. Students here take core classes four at a time in their first two years, which include society, community and individual, medical skills, and a colloquium to ensure proper learning of the scientific principles of medicine.
Requirements
You must have taken the MCAT and have 90 hours total with C or better in:
Source: Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Tuition
Students of TTUHSC School of Medicine – Lubbock, established in 1969, can take joint-degree programs with Texas Tech University or even a fast-tracked three-year program if they wish. It was the first school in the U.S. to offer an accelerated program and continues to pave the way in that area.
Requirements
Complete at least 90 semester hours (134 quarter hours) and achieve at least C grades; for:
Note: Biochemistry is required by the TTUHSC School of Medicine and it may be used toward fulfilling the Biological Sciences or General Chemistry requirement. Your best MCAT score from within the last five years is used.
Source: TTUHSC
Another recent arrival, the UH College of Medicine was founded in 2019 and enrolled its inaugural class of 30 in 2020. Full of new energy and exciting possibilities, this school focuses on primary care.
Requirements
You must have taken MCAT within the last 5 years and have 90 credit hours minimum in these required courses:
The following courses are highly recommended:
Source: University of Houston
A public medical school located in The University of North Texas Science Center, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine has the 8th largest number of medical students entering general practice fields in the U.S. Another primary-care-oriented school, it also has affiliated foreign teaching hospitals.
Requirements
You must have at least 90 undergraduate hours and have taken the MCAT within the last five years.
Required Courses:
Recommended Courses:
Named after the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, of the eponymous computer company, the Dell Medical School was founded in 2013. A public institution, it already has quite a large endowment and has a notable focus on wellness.
Requirements
C or better grades in at least the following courses:
Dell Medical School does not set minimum GPA or MCAT scores for admissions. Instead, pay attention to Dell Medical School’s admit rate, average GPA, and average MCAT scores to gauge your chances of getting in.
Source: Dell Medical School
With around 240 students admitted into the McGovern Medical School every year, it is the 7th largest medical school in the U.S and one of the top medical schools in Houston. It is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. It was at this school in which Ferid Murad did the research that earned him a Nobel Prize.
Requirements
You must have taken a minimum of 90 credit hours and have taken an MCAT in the last five years.
Required courses totaling the following:
Source: McGovern Medical School
This public institution includes the oldest medical school in Texas. Founded in 1891, UTMB is famous for its original building: “Old Red,” which is large and ornate. A notable alumnus is the astronaut Dr. William E. Thornton.
Requirements
Must have taken the MCAT in the last five years and have at least 90 credit hours with a C average or better in:
Source: University of Texas, Tuition
Found in 2014, UTRGV SOM is in the Rio Grande Valley to help serve this area, which is currently underserved by medical schools. It addresses the rates of obesity and diabetes, in particular that are higher in this area than in the rest of the state and nation.
Requirements
You must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with a 3.2 in all Sciences and a C or above in every course, totaling at least 90 credit hours.
If your scores are above the 50th percentile and each section is 122 or higher, they'll be carefully reviewed. Scores below that will be looked at by a special committee, but if your score is below 495, it won't be considered for admission. Also, from 2025 onwards, MCAT scores older than three years won't count.
UT Health San Antonio is notable for the Mays Cancer Center, which is internationally renowned for drug trials in treating cancer. In fact, 15 recent cancer drugs that the FDA approved were developed or tested at this institution. In addition, it’s focused on creating and providing innovative treatments for these patients.
Requirements
You must have at least 90 credit hours plus grades of C or better in:
Source: University of Texas San Antonio
A public medical school associated with the University of Texas system, the UT Southwestern Medical School has a faculty and student population that passionately cares for over 100,000 patients.
Requirements
You must have taken 90 credit hours and received grades of a C or better in:
Source: Southwestern Medical School
A private, non-profit, and religious medical school, the UIWSOM was founded in 2015. It is part of the University of the Incarnate Word, a Catholic university that traces its roots back to 1881.
Requirements
Must have grades of C (not C-) or better. No less than 75% of credits to be received must be accumulated before you may apply. The following minimum semester hours are required:
Recommended courses:
Texas is home to a variety of medical schools, both private and public. Let’s take a look.
Though Texas only has a handful of public medical schools, each one has a ton to offer.
Private medical schools offer unique educational opportunities and experiences for aspiring medical professionals. Keep reading to learn about private medical schools in Texas.
Texas boasts a variety of medical schools, both public and private, each with its own distinct characteristics and contributions to the field of medicine in the state. These institutions play a vital role in training the future healthcare professionals who will serve the diverse healthcare needs of Texas and beyond.
Explore Texas medical schools categorized by region for a clear overview of your educational choices in the state.
Whether you're considering the bustling cities of Houston or Dallas, the vibrant academic atmosphere of San Antonio, or the serene beauty of East Texas, the Lone Star State offers a diverse range of medical education opportunities across its regions.
So, what are the best medical schools in Texas?
According to the ranking system of the U.S. News & World Report, these are the top-ranked medical schools in Texas based on their research programs.
The criteria included to create this list included the student experience, the number of research activities available, peer and physician commentary on the school, and the admissions statistics of each school. If you are looking for the best of the best med schools in Texas, these are it!
Don’t worry if you’re overwhelmed by the process of choosing a medical school! You have a lot of options for med schools in Texas, but our school selection tool down below can help you narrow them down.
To get more accurate results, you can specify the location you’re most interested in. That way, you can be sure to get recommendations for medical schools near you!
Now that you know about the best Texas medical schools, we can get into the ins and outs of the process of admissions and some unique aspects of getting your medical education in Texas.
The main aspect that sets this process apart is that most of Texas medical schools use the TMDSAS, while a few rely on the AACOM and the AMCAS. The TMDSAS has some important differences from the other applications that you should be aware of before you apply:
If you’re applying to a school that relies on the AACOM or the AMCAS, make sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements.
Also, keep in mind that the competition to get into the best medical schools in Texas is intense. They tend to accept more in-state students than out-of-state students.
In-state tuition is also cheaper, meaning you need to be an especially strong candidate when you apply to set yourself apart from the crowd. That said, tuition, in general, does tend to be more affordable overall, even among the best medical schools in Texas.
Refer to the list above to understand the mission statements and specialties of the top medical schools in Texas. Pick the schools that most closely match your goals, the type of medicine you plan to practice, and your own values. Do not just assume all Texas medical schools are the same; they each have unique aspects that you should look into and thoroughly understand.
We’ve outlined several commonly asked FAQs to help you determine which of the medical schools in Texas to concentrate your efforts on.
Yes, but you will have to fill out separate applications. Most medical schools in Texas rely on the TMDSAS application system, with the exception of a few, which rely on the AACOMAS or AMCAS.
2. Are the Best Med Schools in Texas Competitive?
Yes, they are often quite competitive. Not only do they tend to favor in-state applicants, but they also tend to pick students with high GPAs, good MCAT scores, proven volunteering, and extracurricular activities. All of this means you need to craft a stand-out application to improve your chances of success.
Most definitely! They are renowned for research and cancer care, and drug development, as well as for their focus on patient care and helping disadvantaged populations. These schools are competitive for a reason, after all.
It depends on the school. Institutions in urban areas tend to be part of the energetic city around them, while schools such as UT Rio Grande are more rural. Read up on the areas in which they are located to understand more and ensure the schools you choose match your preferences.
It can be helpful to tailor your application to these environments. For example, positioning yourself as aspiring to be “the small-town, rural doctor” or “the big-city drug researcher” so that you remain memorable to admissions officers.
Both options contain schools among the best medical schools in Texas, but it really depends on your style of learning and preferences. Newer schools tend to have smaller class sizes due to their recent dates of establishment, while older schools tend to have larger classes.
Older schools also may tend to be more well-known and carry a more widespread reputation, while newer schools may be more experimental, or they may be trying out new ways of doing medical education.
Yes! If you know Spanish natively or have taken Spanish classes and can speak or write it with decent fluency, be sure to mention this in your applications.
Texas has many Spanish-speaking populations, and being able to interact with them in their native language will not only help you stand out as an applicant, but you will also be better able to work with them as a doctor once you graduate.
According to U.S. News, the best private medical school in Texas is Baylor College of Medicine.
According to U.S. News, the best public medical schools in Texas are Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the University of Texas Health Science Center--San Antonio.
With its many varied and diverse institutions offering competitive programs and low tuition fees, the best Texas medical schools provide a unique opportunity for you. By understanding each school’s unique aspects and applying to them armed with that knowledge, you will have a better chance of success.
Texas has a unique culture—and cuisine: Tex-Mex—for you to enjoy as well. A friendly population and expansive nature to enjoy will surely top off your experience at a Texas medical school.
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