Top 10 Med Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates 2026

Medical schools are some of the most exclusive institutions in the country, with the average med school being more competitive than even Ivy League institutions. However, if you dream of becoming a doctor but your application isn't the strongest, there are some med schools with high acceptance rates.

While these rates aren't astronomical, they are higher than the average medical school. Keep reading to learn more about the medical schools with the highest acceptance rates.

How Competitive Are Med Schools?

Medical schools are highly competitive. The average acceptance rate for a medical school is 4.23%, with about 41% of all applicants being accepted to a school each year. The most highly competitive med schools accept less than 1% of students.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for a Med School?

There's no set number for what makes a high acceptance rate, but generally, a med school with an acceptance rate of 6% or above would be considered to have a high acceptance rate. A few schools offer rates higher than this, but most have lower acceptance rates.

What Are the Easiest Med Schools To Get Into?

No med school is ''easy'' to get into; they all have GPA requirements and require a minimum score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). That said, based on the data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the schools with the highest acceptance rates for the most recent year are:

• CUNY School of Medicine: 100% acceptance rate
• University of Mississippi: 46.29% acceptance rate
• Mercer University: 14.37% acceptance rate

Note that the acceptance rate for the CUNY School of Medicine is somewhat misleading; we'll break it down further below.

Best Med Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Less than half of all medical school applicants are accepted in a given year, but some schools have higher rates than others. Below, we've featured the accredited medical schools with the highest acceptance rates based on the most recent AAMC data.

1. CUNY School of Medicine

The CUNY School of Medicine is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. It's located in New York City on the City College of New York campus. While it technically has a 100% acceptance rate into the MD program, as we mentioned above, this is a little misleading due to the unique structure of the program.

The program does not admit students directly into the MD program. Instead, it offers a joint Bachelor of Science (BS) in biomedical science/MD program. During the first three years of the program, students fulfill all requirements for the BS degree. After receiving the BS degree, students will be eligible for admission to the MD portion of the program, with no additional application process.

While the CUNY School of Medicine does not list acceptance rates for the bachelor's degree, the City College of New York has an acceptance rate of 58%.

• Acceptance rate: 100% for students enrolled in the BS
• Estimated tuition cost: $41,600 per year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

2. University of Mississippi

At the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), students can attend the School of Medicine through the university's Medical Center. In addition to a doctorate, the center also offers various residency and fellowship options.

This public research university is located in Oxford, MS, and its Medical Center is in Jackson, MS. The average applicant at Ole Miss has an MCAT score of 506 and a GPA of 3.7.

• Acceptance rate: 46.29%
• Estimated tuition cost: $36,825 per year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), LCME

3. Mercer University

The MD program at Mercer University is offered through the School of Medicine. Mercer is a private research university in Macon, GA, and its MD program is for Georgia residents only.

The program prepares future physicians to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural medically underserved areas of Georgia. The average MCAT score for applicants is 503, and the average overall GPA is 3.72.

• Acceptance rate: 14.37%
• Estimated tuition cost: $44,864 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, LCME

4. Augusta University

For nearly 200 years, the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University has been educating physicians and researchers. Students gain experience in several medical divisions, including cardiology, internal medicine, infectious diseases, and oncology.

Augusta, located in Augusta, GA, is a public research university. The average GPA for accepted students is 3.8, and the average MCAT score is 512.

• Acceptance rate: 9.37%
• Estimated tuition cost: $14,825 per semester (in-state); $30,978 per semester (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, LCME

5. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman, OK. Its Health Campus offers MD degrees through the College of Medicine in Oklahoma City and the School of Community Medicine in Tulsa, OK.

Both tracks equip students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to excel as well-rounded physicians. All eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum total score of 492 on the MCAT.

• Acceptance rate: 8.78%
• Estimated tuition cost: $12,022.40 per year (in-state); $14,118.40 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), LCME

6. East Carolina University

Students at East Carolina University (ECU) can earn their MD through the ECU Brody School of Medicine. The degree includes clinical rotations in areas like emergency medicine, pediatrics, and surgery, as well as study abroad opportunities.

ECU, a public research university, is located in Greenville, NC. Applicants must have an MCAT score of at least 500 and a GPA of at least 3.0.

• Acceptance rate: 7.51%
• Estimated tuition cost: $22,252 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, LCME

7. Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University offers an MD degree through its School of Medicine. SIU is a public research university in Carbondale, IL, and offers this program exclusively to Illinois residents.

The first two years of the medical curriculum are clinical case-based and small group-oriented, with the basic sciences integrated into discipline modules. The third year consists of clinical rotations in the key specialty areas, and the fourth year includes a medical humanities clerkship.

• Acceptance rate: 7.3%
• Estimated tuition cost: $37,380 per year
• Accreditation: HLC, LCME

8. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Several options are available for students attending the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Students can earn a traditional MD or choose the six-year Bachelor of Arts (BA)/MD program at the Kansas City campus or the rural MD program in St. Joseph, MO.

UMKC, located in Kansas City, is a public research university. While out-of-state students are welcome to apply, preference goes to regional students. Minimum application requirements include an MCAT score of 495 and a GPA of 3.0 for in-state and regional students and a GPA of 3.5 for all other students.

• Acceptance rate: 6.7%
• Estimated tuition cost: $14,326 per year (in-state); $21,328 per year (Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Illinois residents); $28,329.80 per year (all other states)
• Accreditation: HLC, LCME

9. University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is a public research institution in Knoxville, TN. It offers medical degrees through its Health Science Center at campuses in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville.

A traditional four-year MD and an accelerated three-year MD are both available. Preference goes to students from Tennessee and those with an MCAT score above the 50th percentile for the application year.

• Acceptance rate: 6.66%
• Estimated tuition cost: $36,823 per year (in-state); $56,318 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, LCME

10. University of South Dakota

Through the University of South Dakota (USD), students can earn their medical degree through the Stanford School of Medicine. The program here focuses on rural medicine and provides training in rural communities.

USD, a public research university, is located in Vermillion, SD. To apply, you must be a South Dakota resident or non-resident with strong ties to the state, have a GPA of at least 3.1, and an MCAT score of at least 496.

• Acceptance rate: 6.49%
• Estimated tuition cost: $33,036 per year (in-state); $79,166 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC, LCME

Admissions Requirements for Med Schools With High Acceptance Rates

While admissions requirements can vary slightly between medical schools, common requirements include:

• a bachelor's degree
• undergraduate coursework in areas like biology and chemistry
• a minimum GPA
• a minimum MCAT score
• letters of recommendation
• personal essays

Most medical schools will choose candidates to come for a medical school interview, after which, the accepted students are chosen from that pool.

FAQs About Med Schools With High Acceptance Rates

Medical schools with high acceptance rates can be a good option if you don't feel your application is very competitive. We've answered some frequently asked questions about these schools below.

Are There Any Med Schools With a 100% Acceptance Rate?

In all technicality, the CUNY School of Medicine has a 100% acceptance rate, as it matriculates all students who complete the bachelor's portion of the BS/MD program. However, the program itself is said to be highly selective, although the school does not offer specific admissions rates for it.

Which Medical School Has the Highest Acceptance Rate?

Aside from the CUNY School of Medicine, the school with the highest acceptance rate is the University of Mississippi, with an acceptance rate of 46.29%.

Is a 3.7 GPA Too Low for Med School?

A 3.7 is not too low for med school. Although a 3.7 is not the most competitive, many schools set their minimums lower.

What Is a Good MCAT Score for Med School?

According to Kaplan, the company that administers the MCAT, an ''above average'' MCAT score is a 501 to 508, a ''competitive'' score is 509 to 514, and the top scores are between 515 and 528.

Explore Med Programs

Find the right med school for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual medical schools to learn more about admissions and financial aid.