Getting a medical license in the U.S. takes a lot of effort and dedication. You will have to go through a long journey before getting your license, so getting a quality education at a university that understands your needs and interests is essential. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is renowned for its beautiful scenery and had the sixth-highest population growth percentage among U.S. states from 2010 to 2020. You can also find excellent medical schools and other educational institutions in Colorado that offer quality curricula and many opportunities to work and participate in innovative research.
If you live in Colorado, you have fewer options than in many other states. However, as of 2026, Colorado has one M.D.-granting medical school, one established D.O.-granting osteopathic medical school, and a new pre-accredited D.O. college recruiting its first class for fall 2026. Let’s review these medical schools in Colorado so you can decide if they are a good fit!
Top Medical Schools in Colorado
1. University of Colorado
The University of Colorado School of Medicine, established in 1883, is located on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 medical school rankings placed the school in tier one for research and tier two for primary care. The school’s Physician Assistant program was ranked No. 3 in the country in the 2025 U.S. News rankings, and CU Anschutz also reported strong national performance in research funding, including a No. 1 NIH funding ranking for its Department of Pediatrics and a No. 12 NIH funding ranking for its Department of Family Medicine.
In addition to the M.D. degree program, the school offers different master’s and Ph.D. programs, including the Master of Science in Anesthesiology, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. As the only M.D.-granting medical school in Colorado, admissions are highly competitive. The school states that it receives more than 10,000 applications and interviews about 700 applicants each year for 184 positions in the entering class.
Colorado residents are a high priority because the school is a state institution, but there is no specific quota for Colorado residents. The school says each new class is roughly half Colorado residents and half non-Colorado residents. The secondary application fee is $100, and fee waivers are granted to applicants who have an AMCAS fee waiver through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program. Transfer students are accepted only in very rare circumstances from another LCME-accredited medical school and are reviewed case by case.
2. Rocky Vista University
Established in 2006, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Its Colorado campus is in the Denver area, and RVUCOM also has an additional location in Ivins, Utah. The D.O. program is a four-year, full-time academic and clinical program. The first two years focus on preclinical studies and case-based learning, followed by two years of clinical education.
Students can pursue tracks and special programs alongside the core curriculum, including Global Medicine, Rural and Wilderness Medicine, Physician-Scientist, Academic Medicine and Leadership, Urban Underserved Medicine at the Colorado location, Digital Health, and Military Medicine. RVU also offers programs such as the Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Medical Sciences.
RVUCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Its current AACOM profile lists 366 first-year matriculants for the 2024-2025 academic year, including 86 in-state and 280 out-of-state matriculants. The same profile says RVUCOM accepts international students, while DACA students are not considered. Transfer requests are considered only from students in good standing at other colleges of osteopathic medicine and only for students entering their third year.
3. University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado College of Osteopathic Medicine is Colorado’s newest medical college. It has received pre-accreditation status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and is recruiting its inaugural class of medical students to begin in fall 2026. UNC describes the college as Colorado’s third medical college and the first public College of Osteopathic Medicine in the state.
UNC COM is located in Greeley on a traditional university campus. The school emphasizes osteopathic training, early clinical exposure, integrated systems-based learning, osteopathic manipulative medicine, research and service opportunities, and simulation-based training. Because the school is new and pre-accredited, prospective students should check UNC’s official admissions page for the most current application requirements, costs, deadlines, and accreditation updates before applying.
Students looking for a well-rounded medical education in Colorado have several options because of the state’s health care environment and strong educational institutions. Colorado now offers an M.D. pathway through the University of Colorado and D.O. pathways through Rocky Vista University and the University of Northern Colorado’s new pre-accredited osteopathic medical college. Consider the institutions above if you plan to pursue your M.D. or D.O. degree in Colorado.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Colorado was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States, check out our Study in the USA and Available Courses for International Students!
