Medical School Stats: Rankings, Acceptance Rates (in-state vs. out-of-state), MCAT scores, GPA

While many subjective and qualitative factors contribute to an effective medical school application, the objective, quantitative factors play a significant role both in your acceptance and in how you should choose where you apply.

Don’t underestimate the importance of these medical school admission rates and stats. Some schools use them as numerical screening tools to determine who gets secondary applications; others view them as a measure of your potential for success in your medical school courses and step exams. And they should influence you when you choose where to apply.

In a 2023 survey by the American Association of Medical Colleges, admissions officers at 178 allopathic medical schools shared how they used data in admissions decisions. Among their top academic criteria were:

1. MCAT total score
2. Cumulative undergraduate and/or postbaccalaureate GPA
3. Cumulative BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math) GPA (aka “science GPA”)

To determine if your application is competitive at a medical school, the most important medical school admissions stats to consider are:

1. The median MCAT score for matriculants
2. The median GPA for matriculants
3. The overall, in-state, and out-of-state acceptance rates

Accepted has compiled the data on acceptance rates for U.S. medical schools for 2024. In this table, you can see the overall acceptance rates plus acceptance rates for in-state and out-of-state and whether those ratios are none, negligible, modest, material, or huge. We have also included median MCAT scores and median undergraduate GPA. Click the column names to sort!

How to use your stats to choose which med schools to apply to

Allopathic medical school acceptance rates for the class that entered in 2023 ranged from a low of 1.20% at Northeast Ohio Medical University to a high of 16.98% at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. However, if you look at the applicant pool as a whole the picture is not quite as bleak. Most med school applicants apply to multiple medical schools. In the 2023 cycle, , there were 52,577 unique applicants, and in the end 22,981 matriculated at an allopathic medical school. Bottom line: 43.7.3% of applicants who applied to allopathic medical schools matriculated.

That 43.7% is certainly a lot more encouraging than the 1.20% - 16.98% acceptance rates at individual programs, and it doesn’t include applicants who opted to go to osteopathic medical schools. At the same time, that still means that the majority of applicants don’t get accepted to MD programs in any given year. 

To maximize your chances, apply mostly to programs that you want to attend and that are somewhat likely to accept you. “Somewhat likely to accept you” means that your stats are close to or above the median. Yes, you can apply to a couple of dream schools where you are less competitive, and you should apply to a few schools where your stats are above average and where you would also be happy to attend. But don't apply solely to the least competitive medical schools without considering if you actually want to attend those schools. 

Keep in mind that medians are medians because applicants are accepted with GPAs and MCATs that are below the median. However, the further away your scores are, the less likely you are to be accepted, especially if both your GPA and MCAT are weak.

Also keep in mind the impact of in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rates as you choose your target schools. Many medical schools associated with public universities have strong preferences for in-state residents. They frequently also charge lower tuition to in-state residents. Those two facts, if applicable in your state, suggest that you should apply to your in-state school(s) in addition to any private schools as well as out-of-state schools where you have a connection.

Why are GPA, MCAT scores, and acceptance rates important when you apply to medical school?

The GPA

Your undergraduate GPA reflects your academic performance in college and over time. Since a foundational element of admissions is that past behavior predicts future behavior, that number is really important.

Schools want to know that you know how to perform in a demanding academic environment, particularly in the sciences. Your GPA tells them how you’ve performed in the past and also reflects how you’ve performed relative to your peers.

The median GPA in the table above is a median. Again, applicants are accepted with GPAs below the median as well above the median. To gain a fuller understanding of the GPA range at a given school you can check:

• Each school’s website
• AAMC’s Medical School Admissions Requirements (a good investment)
• U.S. News and World Report Best Medical Schools

While the median GPA provided here is a good initial check when assessing the competitiveness of your GPAs, make sure that you don’t stop there; look atthe larger range of GPAs as you assess your competitiveness at particular schools.

Also consider the trend in your overall GPA, your BCPM GPA, your postbac grades (if relevant), and extenuating circumstances that may make your GPA look shinier than it is at first glance.

Where does your GPA fall relative to the median GPA at your target medical schools?

If your GPA is at or above the median GPAs for your target schools, great!

If it’s significantly below the median or if both your GPA and MCAT are below the median, then you’ll want to explore the following free resources:

• Applying to Medical Schools with Low Stats: What You Need to Know, an expert admissions guide
• Boost Your GPA for Medical School Acceptance, an article
• Get Accepted to Med School with Low Stats, a webinar

The MCAT

Although GPAs reveal a lot about a student’s academic potential, it’s not the most objective measure. Grading standards vary among schools, among professors, and among TAs. There is an element of subjectivity to the grading system.

The MCAT allows medical schools to compare students using a common measure. This test is something all medical school applicants – whether applying to allopathic or osteopathic schools – have in common. And its scoring is consistent.

MCAT scores also correlate somewhat to performance on the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams (see here for details). Medical schools want to know that if they admit you, you will not only be able to handle the workload but also pass these critical exams.

Other factors to consider when evaluating your MCAT:

• The breakdown of the MCAT scores. A really low score on one part of the exam can hurt even if the overall score is competitive.
• Taking the MCAT multiple times. Some schools will use your highest score. Some will take the average. Some will take the most recent score. Most will consider the trend if you take the MCAT multiple times.

Where does your MCAT score fall relative to the median score at your target medical schools?

If you have an MCAT that you are satisfied with, fantastic! Check it off your to-do list. If you are not satisfied with your MCAT, here are additional resources for you:

• 3 Ways to Deal with a Low MCAT Score
• Tips for Applicants with a Low MCAT Score
• Applying with Low Stats

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Highest Median MCAT Scores

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Lowest Median MCAT Scores

Clearly there’s a significant range in median MCAT scores at different schools. Not only that, but some applicants are admitted with MCAT scores below the median.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Medical School Acceptance Rates

Which of your state’s medical schools prefer in-state applicants?

On a basic level, check to see if your local medical schools prefer in-state residents. Most medical schools associated with public universities and some private med schools that receive funding from states have strong preferences for in-state residents, as evidenced by in-state acceptance rates that are at least double the out-of-state acceptance rates. Some schools, including the University of Mississippi, Mercer University, Brody School of Medicine, and the University of California Riverside, only accept in-state applicants or, on a case-by-case basis, those who can demonstrate close ties with the state or region.

Obviously if you live in a state where the medical school has a strong preference for in-state residents – as evidenced by its in-state acceptance rate being double, triple, quadruple, or more than the out-of-state acceptance rate – and if your stats are even close to your local medical school’s class profile, you should apply to your in-state school. In addition to a higher statistical chance of acceptance, if accepted you may pay lower tuition as an in-state resident. You may also benefit from being closer to home and your support network.

Out-of-State Programs Open to Out-Of-State Applicants

Conversely, if you live in a state with only one or perhaps no medical schools, or in a state that has many more med school applicants than its med schools can accept (like California), you will need to consider out-of-state programs. In addition to applying to your local in-state schools, applying outside your state will maximize your chance that you will be  accepted somewhere to study medicine. 

Accepted’s In-State Advantage Tool

We’ve made it easy to see where you can maximize your chances of acceptance. Schools where the in-state acceptance rate is four times (or more) higher than the out-of-state rate have a “Huge” difference. Chances of out-of-state applicants being accepted are very low when the gap is that big. On the other hand, at out-of-state schools where there is no or negligible difference in acceptance rates between in-state and out-of-state applicants, you are more likely to be competitive. 

On our chart, sort the index by the Out-of-State Acceptance Rate, the Ratio of In-State to Out-of-State Acceptance Rates, or the In-State Advantage. If you choose the latter, also select the down arrow so that those with the least difference will be at the top. 

You will quickly realize that those schools with the least preference for in-state students tend to be among the most selective overall.

Medical Schools that Strongly Prefer In-State Applicants

If you live in a state with no or few medical schools and without a regional program like WWAMI for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, you must look out of state for medical education. You might find these programs more welcoming.

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Highest Out-of-State Acceptance Rates

Moving forward with the medical school admissions process

With only a limited number of seats, and many high-achieving candidates, medical school is extremely competitive and admission stats are serious business. That’s why we recommend that you use these tools we’ve provided to select the 20-30 programs where you are most likely to be accepted. Choosing the best medical schools to apply to can save you lots of time, money, and heartache. But this is just the first step in choosing your schools. In addition to these stats, you need to consider your fit for the school, their mission and their values, as well as the qualitative factors that go into a successful medical school application.

You don’t have to go it alone. Our admissions advisors are experts in evaluating admissions stats and guiding applicants to success in the medical school admissions process. They have the wealth of experience and insights to help you take this next step in your medical education.

If you’d like help in choosing medical schools, advice on mitigating weaknesses, or guidance in presenting your best self in primary and secondary applications and interviews, check out Accepted’s outstanding Medical School Admission Consulting Services.