Quick Facts
In Good Company
Today, more than 25 percent of medical students in the United States are training to be osteopathic physicians.
35,000+ and growing
In the 2022-23 academic year, more than 35,000 osteopathic medical students are studying to become osteopathic physicians, an all-time high. This represents a 77 percent increase in the last decade.
Record Matches
A record number of DO students and graduates placed into 48 medical specialties in the 2023 National Resident Matching Program Match, rising from 91.3 in 2022 to 91.6 percent.
Gender Equality
More than half (53.7 percent) of first-year osteopathic medical school matriculants for the 2021-22 academic year were women.
Growing Presence
Osteopathic medical students are studying at 41 colleges of osteopathic medicine at 66 locations in 35 states.
Top Ranked Schools
Osteopathic medical schools comprised all of the top five and eight of the top 10 spots on the 2023 U.S. News & World Report list of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care. Overall, 24 schools of osteopathic medicine ranked in the top 50 for most graduates practicing primary care.
Addressing Vital Physician Shortages
DOs are vital to addressing our country’s growing physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
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
2011-12 to 2021-22
More than 7,000 new osteopathic physicians enter the workforce each year. Over the last decade, the number of students attending osteopathic medical school has grown by 77 percent, helping lead to an overall 81 percent increase in the total number of
DOs and osteopathic medical students in the United States.
Over the last 10 years, applicants, enrollment and graduates have increased significantly:
Number of Applicants
14,117
27,277
Total Graduates 
4,458
7,416
First Year Enrollment
5,788
9,775
Total Enrollment 
20,663
35,177
Additional Data
For additional data on these and other osteopathic medical education topics please visit AACOM Research Reports or contact research@aacom.org.