Best Medical Schools in Texas: Rankings, MCAT Scores, and the In-State Advantage

Texas: The Best Value in Medical Education

Texas has one of the most applicant-friendly medical school systems in the country. In-state tuition at public Texas medical schools is among the lowest anywhere — often $20,000–$25,000 per year, compared to $50,000–$65,000 at comparable schools in California or the Northeast. The state also has a joint application system (TMDSAS) that simplifies the process.

The Top Programs

Baylor College of Medicine

Median MCAT: 521. Median GPA: 3.92. Acceptance rate: ~4%. Baylor is a private school (so no in-state tuition advantage) but it is the highest-ranked medical school in Texas and one of the top research institutions in the country. Located in the Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world — it offers unmatched clinical exposure.

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Median MCAT: 519. Median GPA: 3.85. Acceptance rate: ~6%. UTSW is arguably the best value in American medical education — top-20 calibre training at public school tuition. Its residency match rates rival those of schools ranked much higher nationally. If you are a Texas resident, UTSW should be at the top of your list.

Dell Medical School (UT Austin)

Median MCAT: 517. Median GPA: 3.80. The newest medical school in the UT system, Dell has invested heavily in health systems redesign and innovation. Its integration with UT Austin's engineering and business schools creates unique dual-degree opportunities.

The State System

McGovern Medical School (UT Houston)

Median MCAT: 515. Located in the Texas Medical Center alongside Baylor, offering enormous clinical volume. Strong primary care and emergency medicine programs.

Long School of Medicine (UT San Antonio)

Median MCAT: 513. UTSA has a strong military medicine partnership and serves South Texas's large underserved population. Particularly strong if you are interested in rural or border medicine.

Texas A&M College of Medicine

Median MCAT: 512. Distributed model with clinical training across multiple Texas cities. Strong emphasis on rural medicine and community health.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Median MCAT: 510. Two campuses (Lubbock and El Paso) with a mission to serve West Texas and the border region. Among the most accessible Texas medical schools numerically.

The TMDSAS Advantage

Texas uses its own application system (TMDSAS) alongside AMCAS. TMDSAS applications open earlier, cost less, and Texas schools are required to offer in-state applicants interviews before extending offers to out-of-state candidates. This structural advantage is significant — roughly 90% of students at most Texas public medical schools are state residents.

Out-of-State Applicants

If you are not a Texas resident, your options narrow considerably. Baylor (private) has no residency requirement. Some UT schools accept a small percentage of out-of-state students, but the numbers are unfavourable. If Texas medical schools are a priority, consider establishing residency before applying if feasible.