For students applying to medical school in the United States, state residency can have a major impact on admissions. Many public medical schools give preference to residents of their own state, which can make admission considerably more difficult for applicants from elsewhere.
However, some medical schools are much more welcoming to out-of-state applicants. This is particularly common among private medical schools, which generally do not have the same state-residency obligations as public institutions.
It is important to distinguish between a school having a high percentage of out-of-state students and having a high out-of-state acceptance rate. These are not the same thing. For example, a school may enroll 95% out-of-state students but still have a very competitive admissions process.
Based on recent admissions data, several U.S. medical schools enroll a very high proportion of students from outside their home state. The following institutions are among those with particularly high out-of-state representation.
Medical Schools with High Out-of-State Student Enrollment
| Medical School | Location | Approx. Out-of-State Share of Matriculants |
|---|---|---|
| Howard University College of Medicine | Washington, D.C. | 98.4% |
| Georgetown University School of Medicine | Washington, D.C. | 96.6% |
| George Washington University School of Medicine | Washington, D.C. | 96.2% |
| Creighton University School of Medicine | Nebraska | 96.0% |
| Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine | New Hampshire | 95.8% |
| Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine | Connecticut | 94.7% |
| Yale School of Medicine | Connecticut | 94.2% |
These figures describe the residency composition of enrolled or matriculating students, not the probability that an individual out-of-state applicant will be accepted. Recent compiled admissions data show that these schools enroll predominantly non-resident students, making them potentially attractive options for applicants who do not have strong ties to a particular state.
1. George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, located in Washington, D.C., is one of the medical schools with an exceptionally high proportion of out-of-state matriculants.
Because Washington, D.C., is not a state, the traditional in-state versus out-of-state dynamic works differently than it does at many public universities. Recent data show that approximately 96% of matriculating students are classified as out-of-state, although the school remains highly competitive overall.
Students should not interpret the high out-of-state enrollment as an easy admission pathway. The school receives a very large number of applications relative to the number of available seats.
2. Georgetown University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine is another Washington, D.C.-based medical school with a very high proportion of students coming from outside the local area.
Recent data indicate that approximately 96.6% of matriculants are out-of-state students. This makes Georgetown an institution worth considering for applicants who do not benefit from state residency preference.
Nevertheless, Georgetown remains a highly selective medical school. Applicants should focus on academic qualifications, clinical experience, service, research, personal statements, and school-specific mission fit.
3. Howard University College of Medicine
Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., also enrolls a very high proportion of students from outside the local area. Recent reporting places the percentage of out-of-state matriculants at approximately 98.4%.
The institution has a distinctive mission and history, and applicants should carefully evaluate whether their experiences and goals align with the school’s mission.
4. Creighton University School of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine is another institution with a high percentage of non-resident matriculants. Recent data indicate that approximately 96% of enrolled students are from out of state.
For applicants searching for medical schools where state residency is less of a barrier, Creighton may be an institution to research. Students should review campus-specific requirements, prerequisites, and the latest admissions policies before applying.
5. Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in New Hampshire has a strong national applicant pool and enrolls students from across the United States.
Recent data indicate that approximately 95.8% of matriculating students are out of state.
Dartmouth is highly selective, so its large out-of-state enrollment should not be confused with a high overall acceptance probability. Applicants should have a strong academic and extracurricular profile and demonstrate alignment with the school’s educational mission.
6. Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut is another school with a predominantly out-of-state student body.
Recent reporting indicates that approximately 94.7% of matriculants are from out of state.
Applicants should examine the school’s current admissions requirements and mission to determine whether it is a suitable fit.
7. Yale School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine is among the most prestigious medical schools in the United States and attracts applicants nationally and internationally.
Recent data show that approximately 94.2% of matriculating students are out of state.
Although Yale accepts applicants from across the country, it remains extremely competitive. A high proportion of out-of-state students does not mean that an out-of-state applicant has a high chance of admission.
Private Medical Schools Are Often Better for Out-of-State Applicants
Students seeking medical schools that are friendly to applicants from other states should generally investigate private medical schools.
Private institutions typically do not have the same state-funded mission requirements that influence many public medical schools. As a result, their applicant pools are often more geographically diverse.
However, private medical schools can have higher tuition costs than public institutions. Students should therefore compare:
- Tuition and fees
- Financial aid
- Scholarship opportunities
- Average student debt
- Cost of living
- Residency requirements
- International student eligibility
- MCAT and GPA expectations
- Clinical opportunities
A school that is accessible to out-of-state applicants may still be financially challenging.
Public Medical Schools with Strong Out-of-State Opportunities
Public medical schools can be more complicated for out-of-state applicants. Many give preference to residents of the state that funds the institution.
However, some public medical schools accept substantial numbers of non-residents. The University of Vermont Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, for example, reports that more than 70% of its students are from out of state.
This makes it an interesting option for students who want to consider a public medical school without being heavily restricted by state residency.
By contrast, several public medical schools have strict limits on non-resident enrollment. For example, recent AAMC admissions information states that some Texas medical schools limit the proportion of non-Texas residents to around 10% of the class.
Therefore, applicants should research each school’s residency policy individually rather than assuming that every public medical school has the same rules.
Out-of-State Acceptance Rate vs. Out-of-State Enrollment
This distinction is extremely important.
Suppose a medical school receives:
- 10,000 out-of-state applications
- 5,000 in-state applications
- 100 out-of-state acceptances
- 100 in-state acceptances
Even though 50% of the enrolled class could eventually come from out of state, the out-of-state acceptance rate would still be only 1%.
Therefore, students should consider both application volume and matriculation data.
Recent data show that the average U.S. medical school matriculating class includes approximately 40.5% out-of-state students, but this varies dramatically between institutions. Some schools enroll more than 90% out-of-state students, while others strongly favor residents.
Best Medical Schools for Applicants Without State Residency Advantages
For students specifically looking for schools where state residency is less likely to be a major barrier, we can consider:
- George Washington University School of Medicine
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Creighton University School of Medicine
- Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
- Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine
- Yale School of Medicine
- University of Vermont Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine
This should be viewed as a starting list rather than a ranking of admission chances. The schools above have high proportions of out-of-state matriculants, but several are among the most competitive medical schools in the country.
How to Find the Best Out-of-State Medical School for You
We should evaluate medical schools based on our individual profile rather than focusing only on out-of-state enrollment.
1. Compare Your GPA and MCAT
We should compare our academic profile with the school’s recent entering class statistics.
2. Check Residency Restrictions
Some schools accept applications from all states but still heavily favor residents during interviews or final admissions decisions.
3. Examine Mission Fit
Medical schools may prioritize applicants interested in rural medicine, primary care, underserved communities, research, or specific populations.
4. Review International Student Policies
If we are an international applicant rather than a U.S. resident, we must separately check whether the school accepts international applications. Out-of-state and international are not interchangeable categories.
5. Calculate the Total Cost
We should compare tuition, living expenses, health insurance, transportation, and potential financial aid before applying.
6. Apply Strategically
Rather than applying only to schools with high out-of-state enrollment, we should build a balanced school list based on academic competitiveness, mission fit, residency policies, and personal circumstances.
Final Thoughts
For applicants looking for medical colleges with high acceptance rates for out-of-state students, the most important point is that high out-of-state enrollment does not automatically mean high out-of-state acceptance rates.
Schools such as George Washington University, Georgetown, Howard University, Creighton, Dartmouth, Quinnipiac’s Netter School of Medicine, and Yale enroll very high percentages of students from outside their home states or jurisdictions. University of Vermont is also notable among public medical schools for its large out-of-state student population.
The best strategy is to examine each school’s actual out-of-state applicant pool, acceptance data, residency policy, academic requirements, mission, and financial aid options. We should also remember that highly competitive schools can have low overall acceptance rates even when nearly all enrolled students come from outside the state.
For the most accurate and current information, we should use the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) and each medical school’s official admissions website when building an application list.