Year-Over-Year Comparison: 2026 Medical School Admission Statistics

Here are the important admission metrics and enrollment statistics for medical schools in the United States. These metrics provide insight into the competitiveness of Medical School admissions and the quality of medical education across accredited institutions.

Summary: In 2026, medical schools saw rising tuition costs alongside more selective admissions, with increased enrollment.

• Tuition & Fees: $64,034 → $65,984 3.05%
  • Public (In-State): $40,285 → $41,644 3.37%
  • Public (Out-of-State): $61,991 → $63,590 2.58%
  • Private: $67,179 → $69,558 3.54%
  • Living Expenses: $29,735 → $31,286 5.22%
• Acceptance Rate: 3.96% → 3.77% -0.19% points
  • Total Applications: 979,917 → 1,066,896 8.88%
  • Total Enrollments: 23,378 → 23,440 0.27%
  • Acceptance Rate: 3.96% → 3.77% -0.19% points
• Admission Scores
  • Median MCAT Score: 512.6 → 512.3 -0.28 points
  • Median GPA: 3.84 → 3.80 -0.04 points
• First Year Enrollment: 23,378 → 23,440 0.27%
  • Men: 10,267 → 10,413 1.42%, Women: 12,962 → 12,901 -0.47%
  • In-State: 14,051 → 13,832 -1.56%, Out-of-State: 9,846 → 9,919 0.74%
• Total Enrollment: 100,434 → 100,728 0.29%
  • Men: 45,105 → 45,004 -0.22%
  • Women: 55,132 → 55,346 0.39%

Based on 2026 data, Medical School admissions experienced an increase in applications compared to the previous year. Total applicants grew by 8.9%. This shift in application volume is a key driver of changes in the admissions landscape, influencing selectivity and competition among applicants.

The acceptance rate decreased by 0.19 percentage points. Enrollments rose by 0.3%, indicating stronger conversion rates among admitted applicants. These shifts reflect evolving trends in medical education demand and institutional enrollment strategies.

Based on 2026 data, Medical School tuition costs shifted across different school types. Public in-state tuition increased by 3.4%, Public out-of-state tuition increased by 2.6%, while private medical schools' tuition rose by 3.5%.

These divergent trends highlight how public and private institutions are managing costs differently. Public medical schools remain more affordable for in-state students, but the gap between public and private tuition continues to narrow. Prospective students should consider these institutional differences when evaluating affordability and total cost of attendance.

In 2026, Medical School tuition and living expenses continued to evolve. The median in-state tuition increased by 3.1% compared to the previous year, while cost of attendance rose by 3.7%.

Based on 2026 data, Medical School admission test scores reflect the competitiveness of applicants. The median MCAT score decreased from 512.6 to 512.3, while the median GPA fell from 3.84 to 3.80. These changes indicate shifts in the academic and standardized test performance of admitted students.