Counting U.S. Medical Schools: MD and DO Programs in 2025

The Current Numbers

Understanding how many medical schools exist in the U.S. informs both the educational capacity of the system and the competitive landscape medical school applicants face.

There are 156 LCME-accredited MD-granting medical schools in the United States.
There are 38 COCA-accredited DO-granting medical schools, many with multiple campuses, bringing the total number of teaching locations to more than 60.

Together, MD and DO institutions account for nearly 200 accredited medical schools nationwide, enrolling more than 53,000 first-year students each year.

MD vs. DO Programs: An Overview

Allopathic (MD) schools award the Doctor of Medicine degree and typically integrate biomedical research with clinical training.

Osteopathic (DO) schools award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Their curricula mirror MD programs but also include osteopathic manipulative medicine and a focus on holistic, primary care–oriented practice. The DO sector has expanded rapidly and now educates nearly one-quarter of U.S. medical students.

Historical Growth

In the early 1960s, the U.S. had just over 80 MD schools and only a handful of DO schools. Since then, the number has nearly doubled. Much of the recent growth has come from osteopathic schools, often established in underserved regions to help address workforce shortages.

Why the Numbers Matter

The number of medical schools determines how many physicians can be trained annually. Although school expansion has boosted enrollment, the number of graduate medical education positions has not always kept pace. This mismatch creates a potential bottleneck between medical school graduation and residency placement, an essential step in physician training.

Admissions Snapshot

In the most recent cycle, MD programs received over 56,000 applications, with about 22,000 students matriculating, yielding an acceptance rate of roughly 40 percent. DO programs received more than 34,000 applications, admitting nearly 9,000 students. Despite steady growth in the number of schools, competition for seats remains high.

Key Points at a Glance

Program Type	Number of Schools	Notes
MD (LCME)	156	Research-intensive programs with national reach
DO (COCA)	38	Rapidly expanding; emphasize holistic care and OMM
Total Sites	>60	Includes multi-campus DO programs
First-Year Enrollment	>53,000 students	About 30% enrolled in DO programs
Historical Growth	Doubled since 1960s	Greatest expansion in DO sector

For further reading: The Key Factors for Getting Accepted into Medical School

Closing Summary

As of 2025, the United States has nearly 200 accredited medical schools, including 156 MD programs and 38 DO programs. Growth over the past several decades reflects efforts to meet physician workforce needs, especially in underserved regions. Although applicants today have more schools to choose from than ever before, competition remains steep, and the limited number of residency positions continues to shape the medical education pipeline.