Phillip EdwinTexas is home to a robust and highly regarded network of MD-granting medical schools, with the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS) providing a unified application process for most state schools.
Texas also boasts significant global research presence, with three medical schools ranked among the world’s top 500 by U.S. News & World Report for the current year: UT Southwestern, Baylor College of Medicine, and McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston . In-state applicants benefit from a strong admissions advantage due to state law, which mandates that the vast majority of seats at public Texas medical schools are reserved for Texas residents, making a Texas-first application strategy highly effective .
Top 20 Medical Schools In Texas
1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas)
UT Southwestern is widely recognized as the premier research institution among Texas medical schools, ranking as a Tier 1 medical school for research and placing No. 113 in U.S. News’ global university rankings. It offers one of the most robust MD programs in the state and has an application deadline of November 1. Its MD/PhD program, however, requires a separate AMCAS application. The school is known for its strong focus on both primary care and research, training students in a world-class academic medical center .
2. Baylor College of Medicine (Houston)
Baylor College of Medicine is a prestigious private medical school located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. It ranks No. 144 globally and holds a strong position as a top-tier research institution . The school is highly selective, with an application deadline of October 1 and in-state tuition around $19,682 . It is one of the key medical institutions in Texas, recognized for its clinical excellence and research contributions across multiple medical specialties.
3. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston (Houston)
McGovern Medical School is a large public medical school that ranks No. 324 globally, with an application deadline of October 1 and in-state tuition around $21,083 . It is part of UTHealth Houston and is a major training ground for physicians in the Texas Medical Center, providing students with extensive clinical opportunities and a strong research environment.
4. University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) – Galveston
UTMB is a historic public medical school in Galveston with an application deadline of October 1 and in-state tuition around $20,899. It is recognized for its programs in infectious diseases and microbiology and serves as a key institution for medical education on the Gulf Coast.
5. Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio (San Antonio)
The Long School of Medicine is a public medical school with an application deadline of October 1 and in-state tuition around $21,823. It is known for its strong clinical programs in areas like cancer and diabetes and is a major medical education center serving South Texas.
6. Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine (Bryan-College Station)
Texas A&M’s College of Medicine has an application deadline of November 1 and in-state tuition around $17,968. It has a strong presence across the state, with programs in multiple cities including Dallas, Houston, and Round Rock. The school offers a mission-driven program with a multi-campus model and a class size of approximately 200 per year.
7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (Lubbock)
TTUHSC School of Medicine has an application deadline of November 1 and in-state tuition around $18,693. It serves as the primary medical education provider for West Texas and is known for its focus on rural and underserved communities. Its Physician Scientist Program is unique among Texas schools in using TMDSAS exclusively for its MD/PhD track.
8. Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin (Austin)
Dell Medical School is a newer public medical school in Austin known for its innovative curriculum and community partnerships, with an application deadline of November 15 . It is designed to rethink medical education and healthcare delivery, offering students a forward-thinking medical education at UT Austin.
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 emphasizes bilingual and bicultural education to serve the border region . It offers strong clinical training and community medicine exposure, preparing physicians to address the unique healthcare needs of the El Paso and West Texas region.
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 to admissions and takes into account the social and economic factors that affect health outcomes, preparing students for careers in primary care and community health.
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 with a four-year, competency-based curriculum . It is dedicated to improving healthcare in one of the most medically underserved regions in the country, offering students strong community medicine exposure and a mission-driven educational experience.
12. Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth)
TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine is a private medical school with an application deadline of November 15 and in-state tuition around $72,270 . It offers a unique curriculum with a focus on the “human dimension” of patient care, prioritizing the well-being of both patients and physicians.
13. University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine (Tyler)
UT Tyler School of Medicine is a newer public medical school in Tyler, established to address the physician shortage in East Texas . It has a minimum MCAT score of 492 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 hours of BCPM courses . The school offers a primary care-focused curriculum and provides clinical exposure in rural and East Texas communities.
14. 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, offering students access to clinical training in a border community.
15. Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Conroe)
SHSU-COM is a DO program with an application deadline of October 1 and in-state tuition around $26,500 . It achieved full accreditation with exceptional outcomes in 2024 and is located near Houston . This newer school offers a mission-driven osteopathic medical education.
16. Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNTHSC (Fort Worth)
TCOM is one of the oldest and most established DO programs in the country, with a strong primary care placement record and in-state tuition around $13,078 . It has a class size of roughly 230 and has been participating in TMDSAS since 2000. The school is known for its focus on primary care and community health.
17. University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (San Antonio)
UIWSOM is a private, mission-driven DO program in San Antonio with an application deadline of November 15 and in-state tuition around $59,703 . It is the only Texas medical school that uses AACOMAS instead of TMDSAS, making it a unique option for applicants . The school emphasizes culturally responsive care and serving South Texas communities.
18. Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (Houston)
EnMed is a unique program within Texas A&M that offers an MD degree with a Master of Engineering, training 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, offering an innovative pathway for students interested in the intersection of medicine and engineering.
19. University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (San Antonio)
UIWSOM is a private, mission-driven DO program in San Antonio with an application deadline of November 15 and in-state tuition around $59,703 . It is the only Texas medical school that uses AACOMAS instead of TMDSAS, making it a unique option for applicants . The school emphasizes culturally responsive care and serving South Texas communities.
20. Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNTHSC (Fort Worth)
TCOM is one of the oldest and most established DO programs in the country, with a strong primary care placement record and in-state tuition around $13,078. It has a class size of roughly 230 and has been participating in TMDSAS since 2000. The school is known for its focus on primary care and community health.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Application System | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UT Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas | TMDSAS | Tier 1 research, top global reputation, top‑ranked in TX |
| 2 | Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | TMDSAS | Private, top‑tier research, Texas Medical Center |
| 3 | McGovern Medical School | Houston | TMDSAS | Large public school, strong clinical training |
| 4 | UTMB – Galveston | Galveston | TMDSAS | Historic school, infectious disease/microbiology focus |
| 5 | Long School of Medicine | San Antonio | TMDSAS | Strong clinical programs, serves South Texas |
| 6 | Texas A&M College of Medicine | Bryan–College Station | TMDSAS | Multi‑campus model, ~200 students/year |
| 7 | TTUHSC School of Medicine | Lubbock | TMDSAS | West Texas focus, Physician Scientist Program |
| 8 | Dell Medical School | Austin | TMDSAS | Innovative curriculum, community partnerships |
| 9 | Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | El Paso | TMDSAS | Bilingual/bicultural education, border health |
| 10 | UH Fertitta College of Medicine | Houston | TMDSAS | Social mission, underserved communities |
| 11 | UTRGV School of Medicine | Edinburg | TMDSAS | Rio Grande Valley focus, community medicine |
| 12 | Burnett School of Medicine | Fort Worth | TMDSAS | Private, “human dimension” of care |
| 13 | UT Tyler School of Medicine | Tyler | TMDSAS | Newest UT school, East Texas primary care |
| 14 | TTUHSC El Paso | El Paso | TMDSAS | El Paso and West Texas region focus |
| 15 | SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine | Conroe | TMDSAS | DO program, full accreditation |
| 16 | UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine | Fort Worth | TMDSAS | Established DO, primary care focus |
| 17 | UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine | San Antonio | AACOMAS | Private DO, culturally responsive care |
| 18 | Texas A&M EnMed | Houston | Varies | MD/M.Eng., physician‑engineer training |
| 19 | UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine | San Antonio | AACOMAS | Private DO, culturally responsive care |
| 20 | UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine | Fort Worth | TMDSAS | Established DO, primary care focus |
Success Tips for Applying
Start by understanding the dual application systems for Texas medical schools. Most MD and some DO schools use TMDSAS, which has a flat application fee of $230 for all participating schools.
However, MD/PhD programs often require AMCAS, and UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine uses AACOMAS. As a Texas resident, leverage the 90% in-state rule and apply to every TMDSAS school to maximize your chances.
Be aware that TMDSAS opens on May 1, and processing takes 2 to 4 weeks, so take the MCAT by late April with a score release by late May to be competitive in the earliest review wave.
Research each school’s mission; schools like the University of Houston Fertitta College of Medicine emphasize underserved communities, while UT Southwestern values primary care, rural health, and physician-scientists.
Check each school’s specific requirements, such as application deadlines, prerequisite courses, and CASPer exam requirements.
Closing
Texas offers a comprehensive and highly competitive medical education landscape, from top-tier research institutions like UT Southwestern and Baylor College of Medicine to mission-driven schools focused on primary care and underserved populations. With a unified application system for most public schools and a strong in-state advantage for residents, Texas provides an accessible and prestigious pathway to a career in medicine.
When applying, carefully consider each school’s unique mission, program structure, and application requirements to ensure the best fit for your career goals. 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.