Pennsylvania

MD and DO Medical Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 8 MD programs and 5 DO programs — each with a distinct mission, student profile, and admissions philosophy. Here is what you need to know about every one of them.

Pennsylvania is one of the most important states for medical education in the country. Philadelphia alone has five medical schools within a few miles of each other — Penn, Jefferson, Drexel, Temple, and PCOM. Pittsburgh adds Pitt and LECOM. This density of programs means Pennsylvania pre-med students have more options than almost anywhere else in the country.

The data below reflects recent entering class statistics. MCAT and GPA averages shift year to year — use these as benchmarks, not hard cutoffs. Mission fit and narrative strength matter as much as numbers at most Pennsylvania programs.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

Pennsylvania schools are not safety schools. Penn and Pitt are among the most selective programs in the country. Jefferson, Drexel, and Temple are highly competitive private programs. Even LECOM and PCOM receive thousands of applications for a few hundred seats. The density of programs in Pennsylvania does not mean it is easy to get in — it means you have more options if you build your application correctly.

All Pennsylvania MD and DO Programs

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Avg MCAT

522

Avg GPA

3.90

Acceptance Rate

~3%

Tuition

$66,000/yr

Mission Focus: Research-intensive, translational science, global health

Perelman is one of the most selective medical schools in the world. Research productivity is not optional — it is expected. Most admitted students have significant research experience, often including publications or conference presentations. Penn values intellectual curiosity, scientific rigor, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing medicine through discovery.

Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Avg MCAT

515

Avg GPA

3.75

Acceptance Rate

~4%

Tuition

$62,000/yr

Mission Focus: Clinical excellence, interprofessional education, Philadelphia health

Jefferson is one of the oldest and most respected medical schools in the country. Strong clinical focus with deep ties to Jefferson Health, one of the largest hospital systems in the Philadelphia region. Jefferson values clinical experience, community service, and a clear commitment to patient care. Early decision program available.

Drexel University College of Medicine

Avg MCAT

513

Avg GPA

3.55

Acceptance Rate

~5%

Tuition

$60,000/yr

Mission Focus: Diversity, urban medicine, combined degree programs

Drexel has one of the most diverse student bodies of any medical school in the country. Strong emphasis on serving underrepresented communities and urban health. Drexel offers several combined degree programs (MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD) and is known for being more holistic in its admissions approach — a strong narrative and diverse background can compensate for slightly lower numbers.

Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine

Avg MCAT

514

Avg GPA

3.65

Acceptance Rate

~4%

Tuition

$58,000/yr

Mission Focus: Urban medicine, underserved populations, North Philadelphia community

Temple is deeply embedded in North Philadelphia and has an explicit mission around serving underserved urban communities. Temple Health — including Temple University Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center — provides exceptional clinical training. Students who demonstrate genuine commitment to urban medicine and community health are strongly favored.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Avg MCAT

518

Avg GPA

3.75

Acceptance Rate

~4%

Tuition

$62,000/yr

Mission Focus: Research, UPMC clinical excellence, translational medicine

Pitt is one of the top research medical schools in the country, consistently ranking in the top 10 for NIH funding. UPMC — the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center — is one of the largest and most respected academic medical systems in the world. Pitt values research experience highly, and most admitted students have substantial lab or clinical research backgrounds.

Penn State College of Medicine

Avg MCAT

514

Avg GPA

3.65

Acceptance Rate

~5%

Tuition

$56,000/yr

Mission Focus: Rural medicine, primary care, underserved Pennsylvania communities

Penn State COM is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and has a strong mission around rural and primary care medicine. Students interested in practicing in underserved or rural Pennsylvania communities are well-positioned here. Penn State also has strong research infrastructure and a collaborative, supportive learning environment.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) — Erie & Greensburg

Avg MCAT

504

Avg GPA

3.50

Acceptance Rate

~8%

Tuition

$26,000/yr

Mission Focus: Primary care, osteopathic philosophy, self-directed learning

LECOM is one of the largest DO programs in the country, with campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Known for its self-directed learning curriculum and one of the most affordable DO educations available. LECOM has a strong primary care pipeline. Students should research the learning format carefully — it is distinctive and not for everyone.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)

Avg MCAT

505

Avg GPA

3.55

Acceptance Rate

~7%

Tuition

$52,000/yr

Mission Focus: Osteopathic medicine, Philadelphia community health, primary care

PCOM is one of the oldest and most established DO programs in the country, founded in 1899. Located in Philadelphia with strong ties to the city's healthcare community. PCOM values osteopathic philosophy, community service, and clinical experience. The Georgia campus offers an additional option for applicants interested in the PCOM brand.

MD vs. DO in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know

Both MD and DO degrees allow you to practice medicine in all 50 states. The distinction matters most during residency matching — MD graduates have historically matched into competitive specialties at higher rates, though the gap has narrowed significantly since the 2020 merger of ACGME and AOA residency programs.

Pennsylvania is home to some of the most prestigious MD programs in the country — Penn and Pitt are consistently top-10 programs. If you are applying to DO programs at LECOM or PCOM, you need to be able to articulate a genuine interest in osteopathic philosophy, not just as a backup to MD programs.

Pennsylvania's hospital systems — Penn Medicine, UPMC, Jefferson Health, Temple Health — are among the best training environments in the world for both MD and DO students. Where you train matters as much as the degree you earn.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

I tell every student the same thing: apply to both MD and DO programs if you are a competitive DO applicant. The stigma around DO is largely gone in clinical medicine. What matters is where you match for residency, and that depends on your Step scores, clinical performance, and letters — not your degree type. Pennsylvania's DO programs at LECOM and PCOM have strong residency placement records.

In-State vs. Out-of-State at Pennsylvania Medical Schools

Unlike Florida or Texas, most Pennsylvania medical schools are private institutions — Penn, Jefferson, Drexel, Temple, and the DO programs do not have the same in-state preference as public schools. Penn State COM is the primary public MD program in Pennsylvania and does give some preference to Pennsylvania residents, but it is not as pronounced as at public schools in other states.

This means Pennsylvania is actually one of the more accessible states for out-of-state applicants — if your application is strong enough for the private programs. Penn, Jefferson, Drexel, and Temple all accept significant numbers of out-of-state students.

LECOM offers one of the most affordable DO educations in the country regardless of state residency, making it an attractive option for applicants from any state who are looking for value.

Need Help Building Your Pennsylvania School List?

Choosing the right Pennsylvania programs — and knowing how to position yourself for each one — is one of the highest-leverage decisions in your application cycle. Dr. Tomei can help.

Book My Free Audit