Texas has some of the best medical schools in the country, including UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, which is consistently ranked among the top research medical schools in the US and is home to multiple Nobel laureates. Texas also has a significant shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas, creating exceptional career opportunities for Texas medical school graduates.
Top Medical Schools in Texas
- UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas): Consistently ranked among the top 20 research medical schools in the US. Known for biomedical research, Nobel laureates, and exceptional clinical training. Affiliated with Parkland Memorial and UT Southwestern University Hospitals.
- Baylor College of Medicine (Houston): Private medical school consistently ranked among the top 25 in the US. Part of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.
- UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine: Strong clinical program with deep South Texas and border community health focus.
- McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston: Part of UT Health Science Center Houston. Clinical training in the Texas Medical Center.
- Texas A&M College of Medicine: Bryan-College Station and Round Rock campuses. Growing program with rural medicine focus.
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine: Multiple campuses across West Texas with strong rural and underserved community medicine focus.
Texas Medical School Admissions Stats
- Average GPA for acceptance: 3.7-3.9
- Average MCAT for acceptance: 511-517
- Acceptance rate: 4-12 percent at most Texas medical schools
- Texas resident preference: Most Texas medical schools strongly prefer Texas residents. UT and A&M schools give significant preference to in-state applicants.
- Average medical school debt (Texas): $150,000-$220,000
Texas Physician Salary
- Primary care physician (Texas): $220,000-$300,000/yr
- Emergency medicine physician: $290,000-$380,000/yr
- General surgeon: $320,000-$420,000/yr
- Cardiologist: $420,000-$580,000/yr
- Anesthesiologist: $380,000-$500,000/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best medical school in Texas?
UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is the highest-ranked medical school in Texas and consistently ranks among the top 20 research medical schools nationally. Baylor College of Medicine is close behind and has the advantage of being located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, the largest medical complex in the world.
How competitive is medical school admission in Texas?
Very competitive. Acceptance rates at UT Southwestern and Baylor are 4-8 percent. Average GPA for accepted students is 3.8-3.9 and average MCAT is 514-517. Texas medical schools strongly prefer Texas residents. Starting the pre-med path early, maintaining a strong science GPA, gaining research and clinical volunteer experience, and preparing extensively for the MCAT are all essential.
How much does medical school cost in Texas?
Annual tuition at Texas public medical schools ranges from $20,000-$35,000 for Texas residents, making them among the most affordable in the country. Baylor College of Medicine, a private school, costs more but has exceptional scholarship programs. Total medical school cost including living expenses is typically $150,000-$250,000 for Texas residents at public schools.
What is the Texas Medical Center in Houston?
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston is the largest medical complex in the world by any measure. It includes 54 institutions, 25 hospitals, over 10 million square feet of medical facilities, and 110,000 employees. Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth Houston, and multiple other institutions are located in the TMC. Medical students at TMC-affiliated schools have access to one of the richest clinical training environments anywhere.
Is there a physician shortage in Texas?
Yes, particularly in rural and border communities. Texas has a significant physician shortage in primary care, psychiatry, and OB/GYN. Texas rural communities often use loan forgiveness programs and signing bonuses to attract physicians. TTUHSC and Texas A&M have rural medicine tracks designed to train physicians for underserved Texas communities.
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