Sam SmithUnderstanding the landscape of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) education in the United States is essential for applicants seeking clear insight into program reputation, clinical training quality, and institutional strengths. Unlike MD programs, DO schools are not ranked in a universally accepted hierarchy; instead, they are evaluated based on research activity, residency match performance, clinical opportunities, and historical legacy. As of the present academic year, 41 accredited DO-granting medical schools operate in the U.S., each with unique missions and educational models. The overview below highlights commonly recognized top-tier programs and provides a complete list of DO schools to help prospective applicants make informed choices.
Top 40 Osteopathic Medical Schools In The US
1. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM)
Located in Dothan, Alabama, ACOM focuses on producing physicians to meet the healthcare needs of underserved and rural populations. Emphasizing primary care, community health, and osteopathic principles, the school offers early clinical exposure and hands-on training. Its curriculum integrates patient-centered care with modern medical knowledge, fostering teamwork, professionalism, and leadership. Students benefit from small class sizes, supportive faculty, and strong regional clinical partnerships that prepare them for residency and lifelong practice.
2. Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM)
Based in Glendale, Arizona, AZCOM is renowned for rigorous academics, extensive clinical rotations, and a strong research emphasis. The program integrates osteopathic philosophy with modern medical science, preparing students for competitive residencies. With diverse patient populations and cutting-edge facilities, AZCOM emphasizes community engagement, interprofessional collaboration, and primary care leadership. Faculty mentorship, simulation labs, and early clinical experiences provide students with practical skills essential for success in both clinical and academic medicine.
3. AT Still University – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
ATSU-SOMA, in Mesa, Arizona, emphasizes training physicians for rural and underserved communities through a patient-centered, community-focused curriculum. It blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical experiences in community health centers. The school promotes interprofessional education, leadership development, and osteopathic principles. Students gain exposure to diverse healthcare systems and underserved populations, preparing them for primary care and broader medical roles. Faculty mentorship and early patient interactions foster professional growth and readiness for residency placement.
4. Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM)
ARCOM, located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, prioritizes producing primary care physicians for rural and medically underserved areas. The school emphasizes osteopathic principles, hands-on clinical training, and community engagement. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and partnerships with local hospitals and clinics. The curriculum integrates basic sciences with early patient care experiences, preparing students for clinical rotations and residency success. ARCOM encourages leadership, ethical practice, and cultural competence to serve diverse patient populations effectively.
5. NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM-AR)
Situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas, NYITCOM-AR combines osteopathic philosophy with modern medical training, emphasizing community service and primary care. Students engage in early clinical experiences and rotations across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum encourages research, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered care. Faculty support and mentorship foster professional growth, preparing students for competitive residency matches. Graduates are trained to meet regional healthcare needs, emphasizing ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and osteopathic holistic approaches to patient health.
6. California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM)
Located in Clovis, California, CHSU-COM emphasizes training physicians to meet the healthcare needs of California’s Central Valley and underserved communities. The school focuses on osteopathic principles, primary care, and interprofessional collaboration. Students gain early clinical exposure and practical experience through regional healthcare partnerships. Faculty mentorship, simulation labs, and community-based rotations prepare students for residency and long-term practice. The curriculum fosters leadership, professionalism, and holistic care, equipping graduates to address healthcare disparities effectively.
7. Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-CA)
TUCOM-CA, in Vallejo, California, integrates osteopathic philosophy with modern medicine and a focus on primary care, public health, and underserved populations. The school emphasizes research, clinical rotations, and community service. Students experience early patient care, simulation-based training, and interprofessional education. Faculty mentorship and strong clinical affiliations prepare students for residency placement. The program encourages leadership, cultural competence, and ethical medical practice, equipping graduates to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in diverse healthcare environments.
8. Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU-COMP)
Located in Pomona, California, WesternU-COMP is a pioneering institution in osteopathic education in the Western U.S. The school emphasizes osteopathic philosophy, early clinical exposure, research, and interprofessional education. Students train in diverse clinical settings, focusing on primary care, holistic patient care, and underserved populations. Faculty mentorship and a collaborative campus culture prepare graduates for competitive residencies. The curriculum fosters leadership, ethical practice, and lifelong learning, producing physicians equipped to serve diverse communities.
9. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM)
With campuses in Colorado and Utah, RVUCOM focuses on producing osteopathic physicians ready for primary care and specialty medicine. The curriculum combines osteopathic principles with modern medical science and emphasizes hands-on clinical experiences, early patient exposure, and simulation labs. Students benefit from interprofessional collaboration, research opportunities, and mentorship. RVUCOM prioritizes service to underserved populations, leadership development, and residency preparedness. The program aims to cultivate culturally competent, patient-centered physicians who are well-equipped for modern medical practice.
10. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University (BCOM at NSU)
Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, BCOM emphasizes osteopathic principles, community service, and training physicians for underserved and rural areas. Students engage in early clinical experiences and simulation-based training, integrating foundational sciences with patient care. The program encourages research, interprofessional education, and leadership development. Faculty mentorship and strong hospital partnerships prepare students for residency and practice. Graduates are trained to provide patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and holistic healthcare, addressing regional and national healthcare needs.
| # | State | DO School |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) |
| 2 | Arizona | Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM) |
| 3 | Arizona | AT Still University – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU‑SOMA) |
| 4 | Arkansas | Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) |
| 5 | Arkansas | NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM‑AR) |
| 6 | California | California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU‑COM) |
| 7 | California | Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM‑CA) |
| 8 | California | Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU‑COMP) |
| 9 | Colorado | Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU‑COM) |
| 10 | Florida | Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University (BCOM at NSU) |
| 11 | Florida | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Bradenton (LECOM Bradenton) |
| 12 | Florida | Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU‑KPCOM) |
| 13 | Georgia | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia (PCOM Georgia) |
| 14 | Idaho | Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) |
| 15 | Illinois | Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM) |
| 16 | Iowa | Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU‑COM) |
| 17 | Kansas | Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) |
| 18 | Missouri | Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU‑COM) |
| 19 | Louisiana | Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Louisiana (VCOM‑LA) |
| 20 | Maine | University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) |
| 21 | Massachusetts | UMass Chan Medical School (MD/DO dual‑degree granting) |
| 22 | Michigan | Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) |
| 23 | Mississippi | William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) |
| 24 | Missouri | AT Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU‑KCOM) — the first DO school (founded 1892) |
| 25 | Missouri | Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Joplin (KCU‑COM Joplin) |
| 26 | New Jersey | Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) |
| 27 | New York | New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) |
| 28 | New York | Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New York (TouroCOM‑NY) |
| 29 | Ohio | Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU‑HCOM) |
| 30 | Ohio | University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy College of Osteopathic Medicine (UHSP‑COM) |
| 31 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU‑COM) |
| 32 | Oregon | WesternU COMP–Northwest (companion campus in Oregon) |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Erie (LECOM‑Erie) |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) |
| 35 | South Carolina | Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas (VCOM‑Carolinas) |
| 36 | Tennessee | Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU‑DCOM) |
| 37 | Texas | Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU‑COM) |
| 38 | Texas | Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNTHSC (UNTHSC/TCOM) |
| 39 | Utah | Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda‑COM) |
| 40 | Virginia | Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia (VCOM‑VA) |
| 41 | West Virginia | West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) |
Closing
While some DO programs stand out for their research productivity, long-established networks, or strong match outcomes, every accredited osteopathic medical school offers a pathway to becoming a competent, well-trained physician. The key is finding a program whose mission, resources, and training environment align with your goals and learning style. By exploring curriculum structure, clinical rotation stability, cost, location, and institutional culture, applicants can identify the school that best supports their personal and professional growth. With this framework, you can confidently evaluate all 41 DO schools and select the right fit for your medical career.