Phillip EdwinTexas is home to a robust and well-regarded network of allopathic (M.D.) medical schools, offering a wide range of educational opportunities across the state. These schools are known for their strong clinical training, world-class research facilities, and a commitment to serving diverse communities. According to the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Texas has a growing number of medical schools, each with unique missions and strengths.
Aspiring physicians can find programs in major metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, as well as regional campuses in places like Tyler, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley, preparing students for careers across the medical spectrum.
Top 15 MD Schools In Texas
1. Baylor College of Medicine (Houston)
Baylor College of Medicine is a prestigious private medical school located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. It is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the nation, recognized for its research and clinical excellence. The school is highly selective and is one of the key medical institutions in Texas, with an application deadline of October 1.
2. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas)
UT Southwestern is a public academic medical center in Dallas and a powerhouse in medical research and education. It is one of the top-ranked medical schools in Texas and the nation, recognized as a Tier 1 medical school for research by U.S. News & World Report . Its global research reputation is reflected in its high placement on international rankings.
3. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston (Houston)
McGovern Medical School is part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and is located in the Texas Medical Center. It is a large public medical school with a strong focus on clinical training and research, and it is one of the major medical schools in the state.
4. Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine (Bryan)
Texas A&M’s College of Medicine is a public medical school with its main campus in Bryan, Texas. It has a strong presence across the state, offering medical education in several cities including Dallas, Houston, and Round Rock. The college has an application deadline of November 1.
5. University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) – Galveston
UTMB in Galveston is a historic public medical school with a long tradition of educating physicians and conducting medical research. It is recognized for its programs in infectious diseases and microbiology . It is one of the key state-supported medical schools in Texas.
6. Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio (San Antonio)
The Long School of Medicine is a public medical school in San Antonio, known for its strong clinical programs and research in areas like cancer and diabetes. It serves South Texas and is a major medical education center in the region.
7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (Lubbock)
TTUHSC School of Medicine is a public medical school in Lubbock that serves the West Texas region. It is the primary medical education provider for a large, rural part of the state and has a focus on addressing healthcare needs in underserved areas.
8. Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin (Austin)
Dell Medical School is a relatively new public medical school in Austin with a focus on rethinking medical education and healthcare delivery. It is part of the University of Texas at Austin and is known for its innovative curriculum and community partnerships .
9. Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at TTUHSC El Paso (El Paso)
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is a public medical school in El Paso that serves the border region. It emphasizes bilingual and bicultural education to address the unique healthcare needs of its community .
10. University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine (Houston)
The University of Houston’s medical school is a public institution with a social mission to improve health in underserved communities in Houston. The school has a holistic approach and takes into account the social and economic factors that affect health outcomes.
11. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (Edinburg)
UTRGV School of Medicine is a public medical school serving the Rio Grande Valley. It offers a four-year, competency-based curriculum and is dedicated to improving healthcare in this underserved region of South Texas.
12. Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth)
TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine is a private medical school in Fort Worth that offers a unique curriculum with a focus on the “human dimension” of patient care . It provides students with a supportive learning environment and a focus on physician well-being .
13. University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine (Tyler)
UT Tyler School of Medicine is a public medical school in Tyler, Texas, serving the East Texas region. It is the newest medical school in the UT System and was established to address the physician shortage in this region . The school offers a program with a focus on primary care and community health.
14. Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (Houston)
The School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) is a unique program within Texas A&M, located in Houston, that offers an MD degree with a Master of Engineering, preparing physician-engineers for the future of healthcare. It is currently a track within Texas A&M’s College of Medicine and is pursuing independent accreditation.
15. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (El Paso)
This is another MD-granting campus in El Paso, distinct from the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, and is part of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center system. It provides medical education specifically to the El Paso and West Texas region.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | Private | Top‑ranked, research‑focused, Texas Medical Center |
| 2 | UT Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas | Public | Tier 1 research, top global reputation |
| 3 | McGovern Medical School | Houston | Public | Large public school, UTHealth Houston |
| 4 | Texas A&M College of Medicine | Bryan | Public | Multiple campuses across Texas |
| 5 | UT Medical Branch (UTMB) | Galveston | Public | Historic school, strong infectious disease programs |
| 6 | Long School of Medicine | San Antonio | Public | Strong clinical training, serves South Texas |
| 7 | TTUHSC School of Medicine | Lubbock | Public | Serves West Texas, rural health focus |
| 8 | Dell Medical School | Austin | Public | Innovative curriculum, UT Austin |
| 9 | Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | El Paso | Public | Bilingual and bicultural education, border health |
| 10 | UH Fertitta College of Medicine | Houston | Public | Social mission, underserved communities |
| 11 | UTRGV School of Medicine | Edinburg | Public | Serves Rio Grande Valley, competency‑based |
| 12 | Burnett School of Medicine | Fort Worth | Private | “Human dimension” of medicine, TCU |
| 13 | UT Tyler School of Medicine | Tyler | Public | Newest UT medical school, East Texas focus |
| 14 | Texas A&M EnMed | Houston | Public | MD/M.Eng., physician‑engineer training |
| 15 | TTUHSC El Paso | El Paso | Public | El Paso and West Texas region focus |
Success Tips for Applying
Start by identifying your career goals and preferred location, as Texas’s medical schools are spread across the state and have different missions, from serving rural communities to focusing on research. Consider the unique features of each program; for example, the University of Houston’s Fertitta College of Medicine has a social mission focused on underserved communities.
Be aware of the application process; most Texas medical schools use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS). Check each school’s specific requirements, such as application deadlines and prerequisite courses.
For research-focused careers, schools like UT Southwestern and Baylor College of Medicine are top choices.
Closing
Texas offers a robust and diverse network of MD-granting medical schools, from top-ranked private institutions like Baylor College of Medicine to public schools with strong research and clinical programs like UT Southwestern and UTMB. The state is also adding new medical schools to address physician shortages, including the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine and the University of Houston Fertitta College of Medicine.
These programs are preparing the next generation of physicians to serve communities across the state, from major metropolitan centers to rural and border regions. Note that all information, including rankings and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each institution and through official resources like the TMDSAS and the Texas Medical Board.