Quick Facts
In Good Company
Today, more than 39,000 future physicians—nearly 30 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 75 teaching locations in 36 states.
Top Ranked Schools
In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Medical Schools Rankings, osteopathic medical schools accounted for nine of the top 10 medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care, six of the top 10 for graduates practicing in rural areas and five of the top 10 for graduates practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
39,200+ and growing
In the 2024-25 academic year, more than 39,200 osteopathic medical students are studying to become osteopathic physicians, an all-time high. This represents more than a 66 percent increase in the last decade.
Record Matches
DO seniors achieved a record-high match rate of 93.2 percent in the 2026 National Resident Matching Program Match—a 2.0 percent increase since 2025.
Addressing Vital Physician Shortages
DOs are vital to addressing our country’s growing physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Gender Equality
More than half (58.7 percent) of first-year osteopathic medical school matriculants for the 2024-25 academic year were women.
Proud History
Osteopathic medicine was started in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who pioneered the concept of “wellness” and recognized the importance of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Dr. Still later founded the first school of osteopathic medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892.
Osteopathic Medical School Growth Trends
2015-16 to 2025-26
More than 9,000 new osteopathic physicians entered the physician workforce in 2025. Over the past decade, first-year enrollment at osteopathic medical schools has increased by 61%, contributing to a 58% rise in total osteopathic medical student enrollment in the United States.
See how applicants, enrollment and graduates have increased significantly in the past 10 years:
Number of Applicants
10.9%
Growth in Applicants
since 2015
20,835 23,114
Total Graduates
64.8%
Growth in Graduates
since 2015
5,472 9,019
First Year Enrollment
60.5%
Growth in First-Years
Since 2015
7,219 11,590
Total Enrollment
58.1%
Growth in Enrollment
Since 2015
25,876 40,905
Additional Data
For additional data on these and other osteopathic medical education topics please visit AACOM Research Reports or contact research@aacom.org.