List of DO Medical Schools by State (2027): Accreditation, New Programs and How to Choose

This article is a state-by-state list of DO medical schools updated for the 2027 application cycle. Whether you are comparing accredited osteopathic medical schools or tracking newly developing programs, this resource covers what matters: school names, locations, accreditation status, and distinguishing features.

I'm Dr. Mario Tomei (MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE), founder of MedTrack Mentors, a physician-led premed advising service. I've served on medical school admissions committees and teach pre-health students at Adelphi and Hofstra. The data here draws from COCA, AACOM, and individual school websites as of 2026; always confirm details directly before applying. For the 2027 admissions cycle, the official AACOM directory is a primary resource for osteopathic medical students preparing their school lists.

In this article you will find:

• A summary table of osteopathic medical schools by state
• A state-by-state breakdown with accreditation status
• New and upcoming DO programs for 2027
• Admissions basics, insider tips, and a DO vs. MD comparison

What Is a DO? Osteopathic Medicine in Plain Language

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a fully licensed physician in all 50 states with the same scope of practice as an MD: prescribing medicine, performing surgery, and entering any specialty or residency. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes whole-person care, prevention, and the connection between the body's structure and function. Osteopathic medical education includes training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM/OMT), hands-on techniques used to treat musculoskeletal pain, support respiratory function, and more.

DO and MD graduates now participate in a single residency match system. Many osteopathic physicians match into competitive fields. When I talk with families about DO vs. MD, I emphasize that choosing the DO degree should reflect genuine alignment with osteopathic philosophy, not a fallback plan.

How Many Osteopathic Medical Schools Exist for the 2027 Cycle?

Medical schools can be categorized as a college of osteopathic medicine (COM) or school of osteopathic medicine (SOM). A DO school may refer to either a distinct medical college or an individual teaching campus. Colleges of osteopathic medicine operate across multiple teaching locations and branch campuses, so counting "schools" depends on whether you tally institutions or sites.

According to AACOM, there are 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the U.S., teaching at 75 locations in 36 states. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) accredits osteopathic medical schools in the United States. The American Osteopathic Association provides a directory for accredited programs. AACOM represents these schools, collects data, and runs the centralized application.

How to read the list below:

• Accredited: full COCA accreditation; graduates eligible for COMLEX and licensure
• Pre-accreditation: approved to enroll students; working toward full status
• Candidate: planning stages; may not yet admit students

Accreditation status can change. Confirm on COCA and each school's site before applying.

Quick Reference: Summary Table of DO Medical Schools by State

The table below provides a scannable overview. Detailed notes follow in the state-by-state section. No tuition, MCAT, or GPA data is included here; those figures change each cycle and should be checked on each school's website.

School Name	State	City	Status	Notes
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM)	Alabama	Dothan	Accredited	Believed to be the first DO school established by a medical center
A.T. Still University–SOMA	Arizona	Mesa	Accredited	Community-based training with rural clinic partnerships
Midwestern University AZCOM	Arizona	Glendale	Accredited	Large class, diverse patient populations
Touro University California COM	California	Vallejo (Mare Island)	Accredited	44-acre campus; public health and community focus
Western University COMP	California	Pomona	Accredited	Clinical rotation network across Southern California
Michigan State University COM	Michigan	East Lansing	Accredited	Founded 1969; multiple clinical campuses across Michigan
A.T. Still University–KCOM	Missouri	Kirksville	Accredited	First osteopathic medical school in the world
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine	Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	Accredited	Branch campuses in Georgia
Edward Via COM (VCOM)	Virginia	Blacksburg	Accredited	Multi-campus system serving Appalachian and southeastern communities
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine	West Virginia	Lewisburg	Accredited	Rural and primary care focus

DO Medical Schools by State (Alphabetical)

This core section covers representative states alphabetically. For the full directory, visit the AACOM school listing. Colleges of osteopathic medicine may operate multiple campuses, and newer schools may open without full accreditation.

Alabama

• Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) – Dothan | Accredited | Private; ACOM is believed to be the first DO school established by a medical center, with a strong primary care mission.

Arizona

• A.T. Still University–SOMA – Mesa | Accredited | Community health center partnerships across the country.
• Midwestern University AZCOM – Glendale | Accredited | Research opportunities and health sciences campus shared with pharmacy and other programs.

California

California hosts multiple osteopathic medical schools serving diverse communities across the state.

• Touro University California COM (TUCOM-CA) – Vallejo, Mare Island | Accredited | Located on a historic 44-acre Mare Island campus, TUCOM-CA promotes public health through interprofessional medical education and Bay Area community outreach.
• Western University of Health Sciences COMP – Pomona | Accredited | Established program with clinical rotations throughout Southern California.
• California Health Sciences University COM – Clovis | Accredited | Serves the Central Valley with a mission toward rural and underserved patients.

Michigan

• Michigan State University COM (MSUCOM) – East Lansing | Accredited | Founded in 1969, MSUCOM offers multiple clinical campus options across Michigan.

Ohio

• Ohio University Heritage COM – Athens | Accredited | Public school with a focus on rural Appalachian health care.
• Xavier University COM – Cincinnati | Pre-accreditation | Inaugural class planned for fall 2027; first Jesuit osteopathic medical school.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania hosts several COMs. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) are among the most established. LECOM requires a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 to receive a supplemental application, making it a consideration for career-changers. Indiana University of Pennsylvania COM is in pre-accreditation with a first cohort expected fall 2027.

Virginia

• Edward Via COM (VCOM) – Blacksburg (plus campuses in South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama) | Accredited | Multi-campus system serves Appalachian and southeastern communities.

Washington

• Pacific Northwest University COM – Yakima | Accredited | Rural medicine focus in the Pacific Northwest.

States Without DO Medical Schools

AACOM reports osteopathic teaching locations in 36 states, so applicants from the remaining states have no in-state option. Applicants from these states should research out-of-state friendliness at each program.

New and Upcoming DO Programs for the 2027 Cycle

Upcoming institutions may be developing or progressing through initial accreditation phases in various states. COCA designations shift year to year; confirm each school's status before applying.

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania COM – Indiana, PA | Pre-accreditation | Inaugural class expected fall 2027
• Xavier University COM – Cincinnati, Ohio | Pre-accreditation | First Jesuit DO school
• Niazee College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM) – Chicago (Schaumburg), IL | Pre-accreditation | Inaugural class ~August 2027
• University of Northern Colorado COM – Greeley, CO | Opened July 2026 | Inaugural class of 80 students
• Benedictine College SOM – Atchison, KS | Seeking COCA accreditation | Target opening fall 2028

Students enrolling in pre-accredited programs should confirm financial aid eligibility, COMLEX eligibility, and Title IV status before committing.

How to Choose a DO Medical School That Fits You

No single "best" DO school exists. Fit matters more than any world report ranking. Key factors:

• Location and state: in-state preference, proximity to family, clinical training region
• Cost: tuition and living expenses vary; check each school's financial aid page
• Rotations: local teaching hospitals, rural vs. urban sites, specialty exposure
• Outcomes: COMLEX pass rates and residency match data, available on school websites
• Mission fit: primary care vs. research vs. global health; rural or urban underserved focus
• Culture: OMM lab environment, wellness resources, class size, advising quality

When I review applications on an admissions committee, I look for students who can explain why a particular school's mission and location fit their story. MedTrack Mentors can help build a personalized school list.

DO Admissions Basics: Requirements and Timeline

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) facilitates the centralized application service for DO programs through AACOMAS. The primary application opens in late spring; secondaries and interview season follow through fall and winter.

• GPA: science GPA and overall GPA both matter; many programs review holistically
• MCAT: test scores are crucial for getting into medical school; balanced section scores help
• Letters: most programs require science faculty letters and strongly prefer a letter from a DO physician
• Clinical experience: direct patient contact and DO shadowing are expected
• Service and leadership: longitudinal community involvement aligned with osteopathic values

Insider Admissions Tips from an Osteopathic Committee Member

From my experience on admissions committees, here is what helps applicants stand out:

• Show osteopathic understanding through your experiences. Connect specific patient encounters or wellness initiatives to osteopathic principles in your personal statement. Generic statements about "holistic care" without concrete detail fall flat.
• Shadow a DO and reflect with more detail than "I liked their approach." Describe what you observed in their clinical reasoning, their use of OMM, or how they treated patients as whole people.
• Write school-specific secondaries. Researching schools helps applicants show genuine interest. Reference each COM's mission, community partnerships, or department strengths. Reused MD essays are obvious.
• Answer "Why DO?" with conviction. Avoid defensive framing. Articulate why osteopathic medicine resonates with how you want to practice as a doctor, not that you will pursue any route available.
• Professionalism in every interaction. Timely emails, prepared interview behavior, and genuine warmth signal readiness. DO programs prize collegiality.

DO vs. MD: Key Similarities and Differences

Both DO and MD graduates are physicians with identical legal authority to practice medicine and surgery across the country.

• Training: four years of medical school plus residency; DO adds OMM coursework
• Exams: DOs take COMLEX-USA; many also take USMLE for certain residency programs
• Residency: one unified match; both degrees represented across all specialties
• Philosophy: osteopathic medical education formally requires training in manual medicine and whole-person care; MD programs may share these values without mandated OMM
• Perception: within hospitals and residency programs, osteopathic physicians hold leadership and specialty roles across the board

Choosing DO is not settling. It is choosing a distinct philosophy of medicine with the same clinical authority.

Frequently Asked Questions About DO Medical Schools (2027)

Which state has the most DO schools?

Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas each host multiple COMs. These states serve as hubs for next generation osteopathic education.

What are the "easiest" DO schools to get into?

"Easiest" is misleading. LECOM considers applicants with an overall GPA as low as 2.7, while other programs are far more selective. Target mission-aligned schools rather than chasing low averages.

Are there DO schools in New York, New Jersey, and California?

Yes. California alone has TUCOM-CA on Mare Island, Western University COMP in Pomona, and CHSU-COM in Clovis. New York and New Jersey each have established programs.

Is a DO degree respected?

Graduates fill residency positions, academic faculty roles, and leadership positions across American medical colleges and health care systems nationwide.

What MCAT and GPA do I need?

National matriculant averages hover around a 502-503 MCAT and 3.6 GPA (AACOM reports a 502.95 MCAT and 3.62 GPA for students entering in 2025). High test scores and interview skills are crucial for acceptance, but strong upward trends and compelling experiences can offset some weaknesses.

Do DO schools require OMM after graduation?

OMM is part of training. After graduation, physicians choose how much manual medicine to incorporate based on specialty and practice style.

Conclusion and Next Steps with MedTrack Mentors

The network of osteopathic medical schools across the U.S. is growing, with new programs opening and established COMs expanding. A thoughtful approach, looking past rankings to mission, location, and outcomes, helps future physicians find the right program.

With a realistic plan and the right support, students from many backgrounds can become successful osteopathic medical students and physicians. Schedule a free application audit with MedTrack Mentors at medtrackmentors.com to build your school list, refine your personal statement, and prepare for interview season across both DO and MD programs.

Bookmark this list of DO medical schools by state and revisit it as accreditation statuses update each cycle.

Related reading: How to Choose the Best DO Schools for You · MD vs. DO: How to Decide · Secondary Essay Mistakes to Avoid · How to Build Your Medical School List

Last updated: October 2026