With such a large area and population, Texas has both big cities such as Houston and Dallas, and rural areas.
It also has many medical centers and a large demand for medical professionals.
**Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex**, which gives students at nearby schools access to unmatched clinical training and research opportunities.
To determine the best medical schools in Texas, we primarily referred to the U.S. News Report ranking. We looked at rankings for both research and primary care.
Note that in 2024, U.S. News moved to a tier-based system rather than exact individual rankings, as more schools declined to share data.
**Getting into a Texas medical school is highly competitive.** The average accepted student typically has a GPA of 3.8 or higher and a strong MCAT score.
For more on the medical school landscape across the country, see our guide on easiest medical schools to get into.
Top 5 Medical Schools in Texas
5. Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Texas A&M was ranked in the top tier for best medical schools in research by U.S. News. It also ranked well for best medical schools in primary care.
This university supports ample and crucial research with several prestigious institutes and laboratories.
These include the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, The Texas Brain and Spine Institute, and many more.
Texas A&M’s research centers have created new facial restoration tech, portable water purification for the military, and tuberculosis diagnostics.
Their health science center is a major medical hub, serving more than one million patients every year.
**Texas A&M also offers a unique EnMed program**, which combines medicine with engineering for students interested in health innovation.
Some students may also opt to enroll in the university’s dual degree programs, including an M.D./M.S., M.D/M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H., and an M.D./Ph.D.
Its faculty-to-student ratio is 0.2:1, with 164 full-time faculty and 663 students enrolled full-time.
- Full-time, in-state tuition costs $16,220, and out-of-state tuition costs $29,320.
- Application deadlines are November 1, with a fee of $200.
- Acceptance rate is approximately 5.4%.
4. University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (McGovern)
McGovern Medical School is the largest medical school in Texas and one of the largest in the entire US, with around 240 students per class.
U.S. News has ranked McGovern among the top tier for best medical schools in research and for primary care.
They are associated with both the Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital and the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
The medical school’s clinical practice is named UT Physicians. It holds the distinction of being one of the largest multi-specialty medical practices in the United States.
**McGovern receives $319 million annually in research funding**, giving students exceptional opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects.
This medical school has a faculty-to-student ratio of 1.6:1, with 1,543 full-time faculty and 962 full-time students.
- In-state tuition for full-time students is $17,872, while out-of-state tuition is $26,125.
- Application deadline is October 1, with a $185 fee.
- Acceptance rate is approximately 4.5%.
3. University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio (Long School of Medicine)
The Long School of Medicine ranked among the top tier for both research and primary care in U.S. News rankings.
It is the largest health center in South Texas and is nationally recognized for its focus on serving the region’s underserved communities.
This university includes the Mays Cancer Center, which is partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership designated as a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center.
The Institute for Drug Development within the Mays Cancer Center has one of the largest oncology clinical drug trials in the world. So far, 15 recently approved cancer drugs have been tested there.
**Long School of Medicine uses the CIRCLE curriculum**, which integrates basic science and clinical experience from the very first day of school.
The faculty-to-student ratio is 1.2:1, with 1,002 full-time faculty and 857 full-time students.
- Full-time, in-state students pay $17,581 per year, while out-of-state students pay $34,763 per year.
- Application deadline is October 1, with a $150 fee.
- Acceptance rate is approximately 4.2%.
2. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the top-ranked medical schools in the country for research, and is often considered one of the best medical schools in the world.
Students can choose from five personalized pathways: community health, medical education, global health, research, and quality improvement and patient safety.
It boasts that its Medical Center is the best hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
They are affiliated with the Parkland Memorial Hospital, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, and treat more than 2 million patients per year.
The university’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute “comprehensive” cancer center in North Texas.
There is also critical research being conducted there about Alzheimer’s, biomarkers in cancer, stem cells, cardiology and regeneration, and more.
They also offer M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H, and an M.D./M.S. in Clinical Science.
The faculty-to-student ratio is a fantastic 3:1, with 2,760 full-time faculty for 905 full-time enrolled students.
- Tuition costs $20,731 for full-time, in-state students and $33,831 for out-of-state students.
- Application deadline is October 1, with a $185 fee.
- Acceptance rate is approximately 9.7%.
1. Baylor College of Medicine
The No. 1 medical school in Texas is Baylor College of Medicine, located in Houston within the Texas Medical Center.
U.S. News consistently ranks Baylor among the top medical schools in the country for research.
It was also ranked among the best for primary care, alongside the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
**Baylor received over $420 million in NIH funding in 2023, ranking it #20 among all U.S. medical schools** for research funding.
Their faculty includes 14 Institute of Medicine members, seven National Academy of Sciences members, and three Howard Hughes Medical Institute members.
The university is known for having created the most extensive university-based pediatric and family HIV/AIDS treatment program in the world.
In fact, over 800,000 square feet at the university are dedicated to cutting-edge research facilities, including the Human Genome Sequencing Center, the Human Neuroimaging Lab, and the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
They also have the National School of Tropical Medicine, which is the only one in the nation.
**In 2022, Baylor switched from AMCAS to TMDSAS**, making it easier for Texas residents to apply alongside other Texas schools.
Select students may enroll in dual degree programs, including an M.D./J.D., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H, and M.D./Ph.D.
Baylor has one of the best faculty-to-student ratios at 3.7:1, with 2,648 full-time faculty for their 721 full-time students.
- Tuition is approximately $19,425 per year for full-time enrollment, making it one of the lowest-cost private medical schools in the country.
- Application deadline is November 1, with a $100 application fee.
- Acceptance rate is approximately 4%, making it highly competitive.
- 100% of students passed the USMLE Step 1 Exam on their first attempt in a recent class.
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Tips for Getting Accepted
To improve your chances of getting into medical school, focus on these key steps:
- Aim for high GPA and MCAT scores. These are crucial for your medical school application.
- If your GPA is low, consider taking a post-baccalaureate or master’s program to improve it and show your commitment.
- Dedicate at least three months to study for the MCAT. If needed, study longer and consider getting a tutor.
- Retake the MCAT if necessary, planning enough time for multiple attempts.
- Participate in relevant volunteer work, research, or jobs during college that enhance your skills and benefit the community.
- Write a thoughtful, personal statement tailored to each university.
- Compare your GPA and MCAT scores with the averages of accepted students at your target schools. Apply to schools where your scores are around or above the average, including a mix of ambitious and safer options.
- Apply on time and make sure all required documents are submitted.
- Visit the schools you’re applying to, to show your interest and learn more about them.
- Throughout your application, essays, and interviews, show your passion and commitment to medicine and serving others.
- Texas residents have a significant advantage at Texas public medical schools, as state law caps out-of-state enrollment at 10%.
For more context on career outcomes for medical graduates, read our article on average college graduate salaries.
If you are also considering medical schools in other states, check out our guide to medical schools in New York.