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Top Med Schools in Colorado

Welcome to Colorful Colorado, home to the Rocky Mountains, the Mile-High City, and Coors Light. 

If you’re an aspiring medical professional, we understand the importance of selecting the best medical school. While there aren’t that many med schools in Colorado to choose from, the select two offer quality education. In this guide, we’ll discuss the top medical schools in Colorado and the MCAT score and average GPA you’ll need to get into these schools. 

The first is the University of Colorado School of Medicine, which is an older, more established, and highly ranked medical school. The second is Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is a relatively new program. It is known as the first for-profit medical school in the US. 

So, which is the best medical college in Colorado? Whether you want to stay close to the core of downtown Denver or live by the ethereal red rock landscape that rural Colorado offers, both schools have their charm and have a lot to offer to your career. We’ll discuss these schools in detail in this article and consider the entry requirements to get into their programs. 

Top Medical Schools in Colorado

  1. 1. University of Colorado School of Medicine
  2. 2. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  3. 1. University of Colorado School of Medicine

U.S. News Best Medical School Ranking: #27

Tuition: $42,390 (in-state, full-time)

Average GPA: 3.76

Average MCAT Score: 514

Acceptance Rate: 3.6%

Located in Aurora, Colorado, the medical school at the University of Colorado is known for its prestige and high rankings across an array of factors. In addition to being ranked #27 nationally, according to US News rankings, it is ranked #6 in primary care, #7 in pediatrics, #23 in surgery, and #22 in diverse medical schools, amongst other rankings. Needless to say, these impressive rankings make the University of Colorado School of Medicine the best in-state medical school. 

Naturally, given that it is the best medical school in Colorado, the admission process is extremely competitive. You will need a high MCAT score and a solid undergraduate GPA to stand out from the competition. 

While the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is substantial, the school offers need-based financial aid and scholarships to help students fund their education.  

  1. 2. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

U.S. News Ranking: #29 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields 

Tuition: $58,530 (in-state)

Average GPA: 3.55

Average MCAT Score: 506

Acceptance Rate: 3.03%

Located in Parker, Colorado, the picturesque location will certainly add to your med school experience. Moreover, if you like a close-knit and connected campus culture, Rocky Vista is the place for you. 

While Rocky Vista University’s medical school is unranked in US News’s “Best Medical School: Research” category, it is ranked #16 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and #39 in most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. 

The school offers three main degrees: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS). If you’re looking to specialize in osteopathic medicine, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) is a great choice. It is committed to advancing the science and the art of osteopathic medicine by enriching students with the osteopathic philosophy and heritage. 

Which Med School in Colorado Is Right for Me?

Selecting the right medical school is challenging and often underrated in the application process. While there are only two options, keep in mind that fewer options imply higher competition.

There are a few differences between the two. For example, there is a significant difference between the MCAT score and GPA required for each school. It is higher for the University of Colorado than it is for Rocky Vista University. Ensure that your scores are at par with the general requirements. Additionally, both schools admit more out-of-state students than in-state, which is great news for applicants from out of Colorado. 

If you’re looking for prestige and a med school that has overall better rankings, the University of Colorado School of Medicine is the place to go. Its reputation is the best in the state and will surely accelerate your career. However, if you’re interested in alternative medicine, such as osteopathic medicine, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a better choice. 

How Do I Get Accepted to a Colorado Med School?

MCAT, MCAT, and MCAT. Regardless of where you’re applying, the MCAT is a valuable and non-negotiable component of your application. Med schools consider standardized tests to be a much better predictor of ability as compared to other factors in your application. The University of Colorado has a relatively high average MCAT score. 

Thus, it’s crucial to take MCAT prep classes to help you get admitted. Considering how difficult the test is, most med school aspirants hope to pass the first time so as not to need to retake the MCAT.

Blueprint Prep has over 100 on-demand video explanations and a customizable Study Planner Tool to meet all your study requirements. Our exams and interface are the most representative of the real MCAT so you know what to expect when you sit for the test. Blueprint MCAT prep has one of the best and most effective courses, which can triple your acceptance rate! A recent survey indicates an average increase of 15 points among students who prepared with Blueprint.

You can take advantage of our time-efficient online course with integrated learning modules that use engaging videos and interactive quizzes. You can also save on MCAT Practice Exam bundles by using the code SCORE10.

Are you feeling too overwhelmed and stressed with MCAT preparations? Take things one step at a time and try out the free resources offered by Blueprint. Once you are steady and ready to dive into MCAT preparations and even plot your MCAT study schedule (to help you decide when to take the MCAT), we are here to help you. Yeehaw!

*Blueprint Self-Paced Course students had an average increase of 15 points from their first Blueprint Diagnostic Exam to their best score on either a Blueprint Full Length Exam or self-reported score on an AAMC Practice Exam. The population of 596 students includes all students who started their prep in 2022 and completed a minimum of 2,500 questions and 155 modules in the Self-Paced Course.

MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which is not affiliated with Blueprint.