Wondering how DO school rankings can help you choose the right osteopathic medical school? In this blog, we break down the most recent DO school rankings, comparing programs by acceptance rates, GPA, MCAT scores, COMLEX pass rates, and residency match rates. We’ll also explain how DO schools are evaluated, what these rankings actually mean for your future career, and how to choose the right school based on your goals. Plus, get expert admissions advice to strengthen your application and stand out in the competitive DO school application process.
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What Are DO School Rankings and Why Do They Matter?
While MD programs often receive the bulk of attention in rankings like U.S. News & World Report, DO schools—colleges that award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree—play a critical role in training future physicians, particularly in primary care. However, because DO schools are underrepresented in traditional rankings, premeds often struggle to evaluate them objectively.
That’s where DO school rankings become essential. By comparing data such as average GPA, MCAT scores, board pass rates, and residency match outcomes, you can assess which schools offer strong academic support, clinical training, and career outcomes. These criteria are more informative and relevant when deciding which medical schools to apply to—if you’re only looking at a school’s “prestige” or reputation, you might miss out on options that are actually a better fit for you and your career goals.
If you’re debating between applying to MD or DO and you’re concerned that DO schools are less “reputable”, have no fear. Osteopathic medical schools are viable, accredited options when applying to medical school, the same as allopathic medical schools. Many applicants choose to apply to both MD and DO schools, not only to improve their chances of acceptance, but because they are applying strategically to the schools that are the right fit for them.
Below, you can find the acceptance rates, average accepted GPA and MCAT scores for all osteopathic medical schools. Then, we’ll dive into the DO schools with the best match rates and the highest board score pass rates.
Top DO School Rankings by GPA and MCAT Scores
Applying to DO programs? Here's how we help DO applicants get into top schools:
DO Program Rankings: DO Schools with Best Match Rates
Most DO programs don't have official, numbered rankings. So, we created a data-informed framework using the most recent and publicly available information from school websites, AACOM, and residency outcome data from the NRMP.
Residency match rates can highlight how well a program prepares you to match into the least and most competitive residencies. Although the DO match rate is slightly lower than the match rate for MDs, osteopathic medical schools generally have high match rates, and DO applicants especially have high match rates in the primary care specialties.
Here are some of the DO schools with the best match rates:
DO Residency Match Rates by Specialty
Osteopathic Medical School Rankings: Best Based on COMLEX Pass Rates
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX Level 1, COMLEX Level 2 PE, COMLEX Level 2 CE) is a critical step for osteopathic medical students in the United States. First-time pass rates for COMLEX can be an indicator of a medical school's academic quality and the effectiveness of its preparation for this examination, as well as its academic support for students.
Strong first-time pass rates are also a good indication of preparedness for residency applications, as some programs will look at your COMLEX scores when evaluating you.
School-specific data on COMLEX pass rates are not always readily available, as not every osteopathic med school releases this information, but some DO school rankings show certain schools that consistently post high COMLEX first-time pass rates.
Some osteopathic medical schools have historically been recognized for high COMLEX first-time pass rates include:
Keep in mind that some DO students may choose to take the USMLE Step 1 exam, too. As an osteopathic student, you will be required to complete COMLEX, but the USMLE (the MD equivalent), is optional. Still, Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO, says some osteopathic students choose to take both since residency programs sometimes prefer one exam or the other:
“Almost 90% of my medical school class took the USMLE and the COMLEX; typically, if a student takes both exams, they do the USMLE first, and within the next three or four days, they do the COMLEX exam. I will not lie; having two back-to-back exams that are that large is brutal to go through, but students typically like to do both so that they don't limit themselves for residency applications … however, I would advise you to look into both exams before ultimately making the decision.” – Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO
How to Use DO School Rankings to Choose the Right Program
While rankings can help narrow your list, they shouldn't be your only consideration. Here’s how to use them wisely:
1. Match Your Stats: Choose schools where your GPA and MCAT align with or exceed the averages.
2. Location Matters: Consider where you want to live for 4+ years. Proximity to family, climate, and regional clinical opportunities matter.
3. Curriculum Style: Some programs use systems-based learning; others are more traditional. Pick one that matches your learning style.
4. Clinical Rotations: Look for schools with a wide variety of hospital affiliations and early clinical exposure.
5. Cost & Financial Aid: Compare tuition, living expenses, and financial aid options across schools.
6. School Mission Fit: Some DO schools have strong commitments to rural health or underserved populations. Align with a mission that resonates with your values.
Is an osteopathic medicine program right for you?
Tips to Get Accepted Into a Top-Ranked DO School
Here are some proven strategies to strengthen your DO school application and boost your chances of admission at a top-ranked program:
- Score competitively on the MCAT: Aim for a score of 505 or higher to remain competitive at most top DO programs.
- Maintain a strong GPA: A cumulative GPA above 3.5 will help you stand out academically.
- Gain relevant clinical experience: Volunteer in hospitals, shadow physicians (especially DOs), or work as a medical assistant. This is a prime way to secure a strong recommendation letter from a DO physician, too!
- Secure strong letters of recommendation: One should be from a DO physician if possible, showing your commitment to the profession.
- Craft a compelling personal statement: Emphasize your alignment with osteopathic values, such as holistic care and community service. Your statement should effectively answer the question "why did you choose DO?" Want to read a sample DO personal statement?
- Demonstrate service and leadership: Involvement in community service, mentorship, or leadership roles strengthens your profile. These are especially important to include in your AACOMAS activities entries. You can also click for an example of AACOMAS activities entry!
- Apply strategically: Use the AACOMAS platform to apply to a balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools. To further personalize your application to each school, remember to check out secondary essay prompts and starting tailoring your essays for your chosen schools. You can also read a sample DO school secondary essay for ideas on how to demonstrate your passion for osteopathic medicine.
- Prepare thoroughly for interviews: Practice MMI or panel-style interviews and be ready to explain why you chose osteopathic medicine.
1. How can I improve my application to osteopathic medical schools?
“The most challenging part was navigating the complexities of the application process, particularly understanding the unique aspects valued by DO programs. I wish I had known more about the emphasis on osteopathic principles, hands-on experiences, and the holistic approach to patient care. Additionally, having a clearer understanding of how to effectively communicate my alignment with these principles in my application would have been beneficial … Reach out to current DO students, graduates, or practicing osteopathic physicians. Building connections with individuals in the field can provide valuable insights into the profession and strengthen understanding of what DO schools are looking for in applicants.” – Dr. Cathleen Kuo, MD
2. Should I apply to both DO and MD schools?
"I applied to both types of school because I wanted a diverse range of different programs. I applied to a number of schools that were in range of my stats … I believed that the DO school I went to offered the most comprehensive education. It was the best in terms of match rate, 1st-time board pass rate, and had a good reputation in securing students the rotations they wanted.” – Dr. Tony Huynh, DO
“I chose to apply to DO school because it is easier to get in than MD school … [and] because I would rather be able to get into the medical school the first time applying. I also did not have much extracurricular activities and research in college.” – Dr. Cathleen Kuo, MD
“There is a lot of OMM in the curriculum and if you’re not interested in it you will start to resent it (I saw this in several classmates). Also, your clinical rotations may not be as robust and you may have to make the most out of it/find opportunities on your own. If you don’t handle that well, you might reconsider going DO.” – Dr. Justin Stacer, DO
3. What should I consider beyond rankings when choosing a DO school?
Prospective students should consider accreditation, curriculum style, location, cost, clinical rotation opportunities, and personal fit, in addition to rankings, when choosing a DO school.
“Ultimately, my decision was based on where I wanted to practice once I was qualified. Being trained as a medical student in the US and becoming board certified personally offered me the best diversity in practice in my later years for where I hoped to live and raise a family.” – Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO
“Location and admission statistics [influenced where I applied] … there were closer options to home by applying to both MD and DO programs, and I felt I would increase my chances of admission.” – Dr. Noah Heichel
4. How do DO school rankings impact residency placement?
DO school rankings can play a role in residency placement, as they often reflect factors like the quality of clinical training and institutional reputation. However, individual performance, clinical experiences, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews are also crucial components in securing a residency position. Prospective students should consider a school's residency placement record in their field of interest in addition to its ranking.
“Personally, my medical school did not have a home hospital directly affiliated with our program … therefore, it can often be more challenging for DO students to find rotations in the more competitive fields as they will have to seek them elsewhere … Being a DO student did not influence my ability to complete international rotations. I could easily set up rotations within South Africa in my final year as a medical student, and I had several colleagues complete rotations in clinics abroad, such as in Kenya and Guatemala, without issue … My advice is that if you want to pursue a DO program and are interested in a more competitive specialty, be prepared to network well and ensure you apply to away rotations well in advance to establish this for yourself.” – Dr. Shaughnelene Smith, DO
5. Can lower-ranked DO schools still provide excellent medical education?
Absolutely. All DO schools offer high-quality education, robust clinical experiences, and excellent residency placement rates. It's important to evaluate schools based on individual goals and preferences.
6. What is the top osteopathic medical school?
DO schools tend to lack official rankings, however the US News & World Reports recently ranked the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as being one of the top medical schools for primary care. Other DO schools that tend to be considered the best include A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM).
7. Is MD more prestigious than DO?
No. Both MD and DO are considered equivalent degrees. The key differences between MD and DO lie in their approach to medicine and philosophy.
8. What are the disadvantages of a DO program?
One of the disadvantages of a DO program are slightly lower residency match rates in very competitive specialties, such as dermatology and orthopedic surgery. These specialties tend to favor MD applicants over DOs. On the other side, DOs tend to have very high match rates in specialties that complement osteopathic medicine, such as family medicine. DO graduates may also experience some stigma as a DO degree can sometimes be viewed as less prestigious than an MD.
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Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Disclaimer: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at [email protected] with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.
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2 Comments
Ella • 05/30/2021 19:43
I like the information they used to make the rankings, very good strategies!
ReplyCooper Luke • 09/01/2024 10:56
Where did you get the data for WCUCOM? Doesn’t match what I’ve been told
Reply