As the second-largest state by both land area and population in the U.S., Texas offers many medical school options for future physicians. Whether you study in a major city with access to advanced academic hospitals and clinical care centers or in a program with strong rural and underserved-community training, medical education in Texas can expose students to a broad range of patients, health systems, and community needs.
Let’s have a look at some of the best-known medical schools in Texas.
Best Medical Schools in Texas
1. The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.93
- Average MCAT: 517
- Class Size: 50 students
Dell Medical School welcomed its inaugural class in 2016 as one of the newest additions to the University of Texas at Austin. It grew out of plans dating to 2011, when Texas State Senator Kirk Watson introduced health care goals for Central Texas, including the creation of a new medical school. The school is named after the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, which pledged $50 million over 10 years.
During the four years of the MD program at Dell Medical School, students begin with the Essentials year, which covers the foundations of medical science. In the second year, students move into the Delivery year and complete six core clinical clerkships. In the third year, students enter the Growth year, where they can pursue individualized pathways, distinction options, or dual-degree opportunities. The final year, called Exploration, focuses on advanced clinical experiences, electives, and preparation for residency.
The last year of medical school includes residency preparation, advanced rotations, and transition-to-residency experiences with the support of faculty and experts on campus.
2. University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT San Antonio was dedicated in July 1968 and has been training doctors for decades. It is the largest trainer of physicians in South Texas and is affiliated with UT Health Physicians, a large multispecialty practice with 850 physicians in more than 100 specialties.
The Long School of Medicine also places great emphasis on research, with work in areas such as aging, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. San Antonio’s diverse population also gives students and researchers opportunities to study health care needs across many communities.
Along with the MD program, UT San Antonio offers graduate medical programs, dual-degree options, and distinction programs. The current MD admissions page highlights three distinction programs and five dual-degree options. Students can also participate in mentored research, simulation training, community service, and student-run clinic activities early in their medical education.
3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.84
- Average MCAT: 509
- Class Size: 130 students
The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine operates under Texas Tech Health El Paso and is considered one of the notable medical schools in Texas. It aims to provide modern scientific medical education rooted in strong ethical principles, sensitivity to community needs, and a commitment to excellence. Texas Tech Health El Paso is also the only health sciences center located on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Health Sciences Center includes departments and clinical areas focused on disciplines such as molecular and translational medicine, breast care, neurology, pathology, and more. These resources give students opportunities to explore specialties and continue their education beyond the MD program.
A notable feature of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine curriculum is medical Spanish training. This reflects the needs of the communities around El Paso and helps students develop communication skills for working with Spanish-speaking patients.
4. University of Texas McGovern Medical School
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.84
- Average MCAT: 512
- Incoming Class Size: 240 students
Based in Houston, McGovern Medical School is part of the Texas Medical Center and is the eleventh-largest medical school in the United States. It has been in operation since 1969, when it was created to help address the shortage of medical personnel in Houston.
This is a diverse school with a large clinical network. McGovern Medical School is affiliated with numerous hospitals and clinics where students can complete clinical rotations and practical training. Its clinical practice includes more than 2,800 providers in more than 80 subspecialties across more than 100 locations. The school also offers cross-learning opportunities within UTHealth Houston, including connections with dentistry, nursing, biomedical sciences, biomedical informatics, and public health.
Beyond the MD program, students can pursue dual degrees such as MD/MSTP, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/OMFS, MD/MS, and MD/MBE options through McGovern Medical School and partner institutions.
5. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – School of Medicine
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.0
- Minimum Science GPA: 3.2
- MCAT: Required; scores below 495 are not considered
- Class Profile: The Class of 2026 had 4,738 applications, 510 interviews, and 55 matriculated students
The UTRGV School of Medicine offers medical education with a mission to educate a diverse group of dedicated students across medical disciplines. Its MD program emphasizes evidence-based practice, scientific research, community health, and population-based care. The university promotes lifelong learning and problem-solving throughout its four-year curriculum and beyond.
At this medical school in Texas, students are exposed to clinical practice early, including opportunities through underserved communities, Colonias, and student-run free clinic experiences. The school also focuses on health care disparities and population health so students can better understand the needs of underserved communities in South Texas.
6. Baylor College of Medicine
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- MD Admission Rate: 5.7%
- MD Applicants: 5,228
- MD Students Enrolled: 213
- Average GPA and MCAT: Not published in the current official fact book admissions table
Baylor College of Medicine is a private health sciences university located in Houston within the Texas Medical Center. It is not limited to the School of Medicine; it also includes other health sciences schools. Baylor jointly owns Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center and has major clinical affiliations with institutions such as Harris Health System, Texas Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and CHRISTUS Children’s in San Antonio.
As one of the best-known medical schools in Texas, Baylor’s MD program is well regarded nationwide. Prospective students should check Baylor’s current tuition and fee information directly, as medical school costs can change by year and campus.
The curriculum is distinctive: Baylor’s foundational sciences curriculum typically lasts 18 months, followed by about 30 months of clinical curriculum.
Dual-degree programs are also available, including MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MD/JD, and MD/MS options.
7. Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
The College of Medicine is now known as the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine. Its MD curriculum includes 1.5 years of pre-clerkship education followed by 2.5 years of clinical training. Students may complete training through different campus and track options, including Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Houston, and Round Rock.
Texas A&M has focused its College of Medicine on areas such as rural and population health, military medicine, innovation, and technology-supported health care. For students specifically interested in these fields, it can be an ideal place to study. Although the main location is in Bryan-College Station, the College of Medicine currently lists four campus locations across Texas: Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Houston, and Round Rock.
8. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- Website
- Admissions
- Admission Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.89
- Average MCAT: 516
- Standard Class Size: 227 students
We end our list of best-known medical schools in Texas with UT Southwestern Medical School, which was founded in 1943 and is based in Dallas. Its current class profile lists a standard class size of 227 students. The school emphasizes an innovative curriculum, early clinical experiences, and training across major academic and community health care settings.
UT Southwestern is the largest medical school in the University of Texas System. Its students train through major affiliated institutions such as William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Parkland Health, Children’s Health, Texas Health Resources, Texas Scottish Rite for Children, and VA North Texas Health Care System.
During the MD program, students have access to community service activities and community health opportunities that allow them to work with vulnerable populations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. UT Southwestern also offers combined degree options such as MD/MBA and MD/MPH programs.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the USA Scholarships Page and Available Courses for International Students!
