The number of colleges of osteopathic medicine has grown steadily over the past two decades, giving pre-med students more options than ever when applying to medical school. While every DO program prepares graduates to become fully licensed physicians, each school differs in its curriculum, mission, research opportunities, tuition, and admissions profile.
This guide includes a comprehensive database of accredited DO schools in the United States, along with our picks for the top DO schools, based on factors such as clinical training opportunities, affordability, and student support. Whether you're committed to the osteopathic philosophy or building a balanced school list alongside MD programs, this guide can help you identify programs that best fit your goals.
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Comprehensive Database of DO Schools in the US
Browse every accredited DO school in the U.S. Compare average GPA, MCAT scores, and location to determine which DO schools to apply to before exploring each one in more detail. All programs included in this guide are accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the recognized accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine.
The Top 14 DO Schools
Every applicant defines the "best" medical school differently. Some programs stand out for research opportunities and academic reputation, while others excel in primary care training or residency placement. The schools below consistently rank among the strongest DO programs with excellent opportunities for aspiring physicians across a variety of career paths.
1. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: East Lansing, MI (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $43,776
- Out-of-State Tuition: $61,838
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the largest and most established osteopathic medical schools in the country. The school is known for its strong emphasis on primary care, community-based education, and training physicians to serve diverse populations throughout Michigan and beyond. MSUCOM offers a distributed medical education model in which students complete clinical training across multiple community campuses.
2. University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Fort Worth, TX
- In-State Tuition: $13,078
- Out-of-State Tuition: $28,766
The University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the most affordable DO schools in the country, especially for Texas residents. As a public osteopathic medical school, TCOM provides a cost-effective pathway to a medical degree while maintaining a strong reputation for osteopathic education. The school emphasizes primary care, community health, and serving diverse patient populations throughout Texas.
3. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Hattiesburg, MS
- In-State Tuition: $50,500
- Out-of-State Tuition: $50,500
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine emphasizes community-focused medical education and training through its clinical experiences. The school provides students with early clinical exposure and opportunities to serve diverse patient populations in Mississippi and beyond. Its focus on primary care, including family medicine, and addressing healthcare disparities makes it a strong option for students interested in community-based practice.
4. A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Mesa, AZ (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $71,750
- Out-of-State Tuition: $71,750
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine builds on the legacy of A.T. Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine, and remains one of the country’s most mission-driven DO schools. The school is known for an innovative curriculum that combines classroom learning with clinical training through a community health center model. Students spend their first year on campus before completing their clinical education at community health center sites across the country.
5. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Erie, PA (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $41,825
- Out-of-State Tuition: $41,825
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the largest osteopathic medical schools in the country, with campuses in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York. The school is known for its affordable tuition compared with many private DO programs and offers multiple learning pathways, including independent study options. LECOM also emphasizes primary care education through programs such as its Primary Care Scholars pathway.
6. Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: New York, NY (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $72,080
- Out-of-State Tuition: $72,080
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine is part of the Touro University system, which operates multiple osteopathic medical schools across the country. Students benefit from small class sizes, interprofessional education, and opportunities to complete clinical rotations through an extensive network of affiliated hospitals and healthcare systems. Touro's mission-driven curriculum prepares graduates for careers in both primary care and a wide range of specialties.
7. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Tulsa, OK (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $25,796
- Out-of-State Tuition: $53,299
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is known for its strong commitment to rural medicine. Students benefit from early clinical experiences and a community-based education model with rotations across the state. OSU-COM also offers dedicated tracks in rural and tribal medicine, giving students opportunities to train in communities with significant healthcare needs.
8. University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Pikeville, KY
- In-State Tuition: $59,750
- Out-of-State Tuition: $59,750
Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Pikeville is nationally recognized for its mission to serve medically underserved communities, particularly throughout Appalachia. The school emphasizes primary care and patient-centered care with close faculty mentorship. Located near a regional medical center in eastern Kentucky, KYCOM provides students with hands-on clinical training and modern simulation facilities.
9. Western University of Health Sciences
- City: Pomona, CA (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $72,040
- Out-of-State Tuition: $72,040
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific emphasizes a patient-centered approach to medical education, integrating biomedical sciences with ethics, communication, and cultural awareness. The school prepares students to become compassionate physicians who understand the diverse needs of the communities they serve. With campuses in California and Oregon, the college provides clinical training opportunities across a wide network of healthcare settings.
10. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: West Des Moines, IA
- In-State Tuition: $68,620
- Out-of-State Tuition: $68,620
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the oldest osteopathic medical schools in the United States. The school is known for its integrated curriculum, team-based learning environment, and opportunities for research and global health programs. The college’s strong clinical partnerships provide students with hands-on training across Iowa and beyond.
11. Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Athens, OH (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $38,564
- Out-of-State Tuition: $56,284
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is known for its focus on primary care and improving healthcare access in underserved communities. The school offers a community-based education model, with students completing clinical training through a network of affiliated hospitals and healthcare partners across Ohio. The school also offers a DO/PhD pathway for students interested in combining clinical practice with biomedical research.
12. Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Stratford, NJ (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $50,680
- Out-of-State Tuition: $78,086
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the oldest osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. and the only osteopathic medical school in New Jersey. The school emphasizes primary care, community health, and interprofessional education, with a strong focus on serving diverse patient populations in the region. Students benefit from clinical training partnerships with Virtua Health and other healthcare systems, gaining hands-on experience across a range of specialties.
13. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Multiple campuses across Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana
- In-State Tuition: $52,500
- Out-of-State Tuition: $52,500
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is recognized for its strong commitment to training physicians who serve rural and medically underserved communities. With campuses across the Southeast, VCOM emphasizes community-based clinical education and primary care while consistently producing strong residency Match results. Its mission-driven approach makes it an excellent choice for students interested in service-focused medicine.
14. Nova Southeastern University Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
- City: Fort Lauderdale, FL (main campus)
- In-State Tuition: $73,407
- Out-of-State Tuition: $73,407
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine offers its DO program at two Florida campuses, giving students flexibility in where they complete their education. The school offers early clinical experiences, simulation-based learning, and interprofessional education while preparing graduates for careers in primary care specialties. Students also benefit from dual-degree programs and a large health sciences university.
Application Process for DO Schools
Applying to DO schools is similar to applying to MD programs, but most colleges of osteopathic medicine use a different centralized application service.
Instead of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), DO applicants submit primary applications through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), administered by AACOM. The exception is Texas DO schools, which participate in the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).
Like AMCAS, AACOMAS requires transcripts, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and a personal statement. After reviewing your primary application, schools may invite you to complete secondary applications before offering interviews.
Understanding each school's mission and tailoring your application accordingly can help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
MD vs DO
Both Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) graduates become fully licensed physicians who can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and practice in every medical specialty. The biggest difference lies in their educational philosophy.
MD programs traditionally emphasize diagnosing and treating disease through medications and procedures. DO programs include the same foundational medical training while also emphasizing holistic care, preventive medicine, and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which includes osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT is a hands-on approach used to diagnose, treat, and help prevent certain conditions of the musculoskeletal system.
Acceptance rates vary widely by school, but DO programs are generally less selective than MD programs on average. That said, both MD and DO programs are academically rigorous and require extensive coursework, clinical training, and residency preparation.
If you're deciding which pathway is right for you, explore our in-depth guide comparing MD vs. DO to learn more about admissions, long-term career opportunities, and more.
Is Applying to DO Schools the Right Choice for You?
Choosing between a DO and MD program depends on your career goals and the type of medical education you're seeking. A DO program may be a good fit if you:
- Value a whole-person approach to care.
- Want training in OMM alongside the traditional medical curriculum.
- Are interested in preventive medicine and whole-person care.
- Plan to pursue primary care or serve rural and underserved communities, while still keeping the door open to any specialty.
- Have academic metrics that are more competitive for many DO programs than for the most selective MD schools.
It's also important to evaluate each school's mission, curriculum, clinical training opportunities, and residency programs rather than focusing solely on the degree. Ultimately, both DO and MD graduates become fully licensed physicians, and the best choice is the program that aligns with your goals, strengths, and preferred approach to patient care.
Read Next: The Easiest 30 U.S. Med Schools to Get Into
Residency Implications for DO vs MD Programs
Both DO and MD graduates participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and compete for the same residency positions. While MD graduates have historically matched at slightly higher rates overall, residency outcomes for DO students have improved significantly following the transition to a single accreditation system.
One remaining difference is the licensing exam process. DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA), while MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Although COMLEX-USA is accepted for residency applications, some DO students also choose to take the USMLE to strengthen their applications for competitive specialties or programs more familiar with USMLE scoring.
Graduates from both pathways match into a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, psychiatry, emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, and dermatology. Applicants should compare residency match outcomes, research opportunities, and clinical training when evaluating the best DO schools for competitive specialties.
Strong board scores, clinical performance, research, and extracurricular experiences can all improve residency competitiveness, regardless of whether you attend an MD or DO program.
FAQs
Many DO schools emphasize primary care, preventive medicine, and serving rural or underserved communities. Schools such as Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine are known for their focus on primary care.
However, the best DO school for you depends on factors like curriculum, clinical training opportunities, location, and alignment with your career goals.
Competitive DO applicants typically have strong academic records, with many successful applicants reporting GPAs around the mid-3.5 range or higher. However, GPA is only one part of the admissions process.
DO schools also consider MCAT scores, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, extracurriculars, personal statements, and how well applicants align with the school’s mission.
Craft a Stand Out AACOMAS Application
Applying to osteopathic medical schools is a competitive process, and a well-crafted application can help you stand out. Working with an experienced admissions advisor can give you personalized feedback at every stage of the application process.
Build your application alongside a doctor with admissions experience, and join the 95% of clients who get into medical school.
Luke Voytas, MD
Dr. Voytas, a dedicated pediatrician with an passion for nurturing future medical leaders, inspires every student and resident he mentors to reach their fullest potential. Leveraging his rich background in writing, he crafts narrative-driven application essays that uniquely capture each client’s journey and set them apart in the competitive world of medicine.
