With such a large area and population, it 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.
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.
Top 5 Medical Schools in Texas
5. Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Texas A&M was ranked 80th for best medical schools in research by U.S. News, tied with University of Missouri. It also ranked in the range of #94 – 124 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, 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.
Some students may also opt to enroll in the university’s dual degree programs. These include 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.
4. University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (McGovern)
U.S. News ranked Houston at McGovern 53rd for best medical schools in research. It is tied with Stony Brook University (SUNY) and University of Nebraska Medical Center.
For best medical schools in primary care, this school ranked #76 on U.S. News’s Report. It tied for this status with the Medical University of South Carolina.
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.
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. Students wishing to apply need to do so by the Deadline of October 1st and pay the $185 fee.
3. University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
This school was ranked 47th by U.S. News in best medical schools for research. It was tied with Dartmouth College (Geisel, Wake Forest University, and University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.
The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, also ranked #36 for Best Medical Schools for Primary Care. It tied with Boston University, Dartmouth College (Geisel), Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix), and University of Arkansas. They all also tied with the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
This university includes the Mays Cancer Center, which is partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center. Together, they are designated as a National Cancer Institute Cancer.
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 were tested there.
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.
Students who would like to apply to this school need to do so by October 1. The application fee is $150.
2. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ranked #25 by U.S. News Reports for best medical schools in research. It was tied with University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
This medical school ranked #16 for best medical schools in Primary care, along with our No. 1 pick, Baylor College. They both tied for this ranking with University of New Mexico and University of Iowa (Carver), as well.
It is also considered one of the best medical schools in the world, often ranking higher than some Ivy Leagues.
It boasts that its Medical Center is the best hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with compassionate and advanced care. They are also affiliated with the Parkland Memorial Hospital, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.
They treat more than 2 million patients per year. This also provides immense hands-on learning for their students.
The university’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center is designated a National Cancer Institute “comprehensive” program. It is the only cancer center with this designation 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, as well.
The faculty to student ratio is an amazing 3:1, with 2,760 full-time faculty for 905 full-time enrolled students.
Anyone wishing to apply to this medical school needs to do this October 1 and pay the $185 application fee.
Tuition costs $20,731 for full-time, in-state students and $33,831 for out-of-state students.
1. Baylor College of Medicine
The No. 1 medical school in Texas is Baylor College of Medicine. U.S. News Reports ranked this school #22 for best medical schools for research, along with Emory University in Georgia.
It was also ranked #16 for best primary care medical schools. As mentioned, it was for this ranking with University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They were both also tied with University of Iowa (Carver) and University of New Mexico.
Their faculty include 14 Institute of Medicine members, seven National Academy of Sciences members, and three Howard Hughes Medical Institute members.
The university has contributed an abundance of research. It is also known for having created the largest university-based pediatric and family HIV/AIDS treatment program in the world.
In fact, there is over 800,000 square feet at the university dedicated to cutting-edge research facilities. Laboratories include the Human Genome Sequencing Center, The Human Neuroimaging Lab, the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and more.
They also have the National School of Tropical Medicine, which is the only one the nation.
Select students may also enroll in one of Baylor’s several dual degree programs. These include an M.D./J.D., and M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H, and an M.D./Ph.D.
Baylor has one of the best faculty to student ratios at 3.7:1. They employ 2,648 full-time faculty for their 721 full-time students.
Tuition is $19,425 per year for full-time enrollment. Despite Baylor’s distinguished reputation and ranking, it is also noteworthy for having the lowest tuition of all private medical schools.
The application deadline is November 1st, and there is a $100 application fee.
Here is a top list with the best medical schools in the US.
Tips for Getting Accepted
To ensure your best chance at getting accepted to medical school, it is important to follow time-tested techniques.
Two of the most important components of your application to medical school are your GPA and your MCAT scores. The higher these are, the more likely you are to be accepted to your choice of medical school.
It is critical to do your best throughout your undergraduate degree, getting the highest grades you can.
If for any reason your GPA is less than optimal, you may want to do a post-baccalaureate or master’s program. This gives you another chance to develop a better GPA, and also shows commitment. You will learn more, as well!
It is also imperative to study sufficiently for your MCATs. Typically, at least three months of dedicated studying is recommended, but you want or need to study more.
Always do your best, and if necessary, get tutoring. It will be worthwhile in the long run.
Make sure to apply after you have achieved your best MCAT score. You may need to take the test a second or third time, so allow time to do so.
Throughout college, engage in appropriate volunteer work, research, or employment. It is best if these provide an opportunity for you to deepen your learning and/or contribute to the community.
Be thoughtful when writing your personal statement. It should be unique, mindful, and tailored to the university to which you are applying.
Another important step is to compare your GPA and MCATs to the average scores of accepted students for each school. Make sure to apply to at least some schools for which you have average or, preferably, above average scores.
Of course, you should also apply to “stretch,” or goal schools, in addition to the “safety” schools.
Make sure to apply on time, and to submit all required materials.
Also, be sure to visit schools that you are applying to, and learn as much as you can about them. This shows commitment and interest.
Via your application, essay, and interview, demonstrate your remarkable enthusiasm and dedication to medicine, your community, and your future patients.