Quick Facts
In Good Company
Today, more than 25 percent of medical students in the United States are training to be osteopathic physicians.
38,000+ and growing
In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 38,000 osteopathic medical students are studying to become osteopathic physicians, an all-time high. This represents more than a 65 percent increase in the last decade.
Record Matches
A record number of DO students and graduates placed into 48 medical specialties in the 2024 National Resident Matching Program Match, rising from 91.6 in 2023 to 92.3 percent.
Gender Equality
More than half (54.4 percent) of first-year osteopathic medical school matriculants for the 2023-24 academic year were women.
Growing Presence
Osteopathic medical students are studying at 42 colleges of osteopathic medicine at 67 teaching locations in 36 states.
Top Ranked Schools
Osteopathic medical schools comprised all of top 14 spots on the 2024 U.S. News & World Report list of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care. Overall, 26 schools of osteopathic medicine ranked in the top 50 for most graduates practicing primary care.
Addressing Vital Physician Shortages
DOs are vital to addressing our country’s growing physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Proud History
Osteopathic medicine was started in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who pioneered the concept of “wellness” and recognized the importance of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Dr. Still later founded the first school of osteopathic medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892.
Osteopathic Medical School Growth Trends
2013-14 to 2023-24
More than 7,800 new osteopathic physicians entered the physician workforce in 2023. Over the last decade, the number of students attending osteopathic medical school has grown by 66 percent, resulting in an overall 70 percent increase in the total number of DOs and osteopathic medical students in the U.S.
Over the last 10 years, applicants, enrollment and graduates have increased significantly:
Number of Applicants
16,454 22,810
Total Graduates 
4,806 7,891
First Year Enrollment 
6,636 10,448
Total Enrollment 
23,071 38,225
Additional Data
For additional data on these and other osteopathic medical education topics please visit AACOM Research Reports or contact research@aacom.org.