The top med school in the state is the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, which was established in 1879. You can also apply to the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), which has established itself as a leading college for osteopathic medical education.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the different medical programs offered by both institutions, their medical school admission requirements, and their tuition fees. This will help you decide which of these colleges is a better fit for you.
Top Medical Schools in Arkansas
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine
- Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM)
1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine
U.S. News Ranking: #74 in Best Medical Schools: Research
Tuition: $33,101 (full-time)
Average GPA: 3.81
Average MCAT Score: 509
Acceptance Rate: 5.6%
2. Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM)
U.S. News Ranking: Unranked
Tuition: $43,000 (in-state)
Average GPA: 3.4
Average MCAT Score: 500
Acceptance Rate: 7.5%
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine
The UAMS College of Medicine is a public university located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the leading medical school in the state. It is also the only medical school degree program in Arkansas that grants an M.D. degree.
If you attend UAMS College of Medicine, you can enroll in the four-year M.D. track or opt for a three-year Primary Care Scholars M.D. track. About 700 medical students attend the university, which offers 64 residency and fellowship programs.
The school is highly placed in several categories in the U.S. News list of best colleges. It is ranked number 36 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care, number 20 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas, and number 36 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields.
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM)
The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded to educate and train compassionate osteopathic physicians. It is located in a state-of-the-art 100,000+ square-foot faculty in Fort Smith and boasts scenic outdoor study spaces and hiking trails.
ARCOM’s D.O. program takes four years to complete and consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum to help students develop a holistic outlook on medicine and healthcare. Students spend the initial two years on campus and the latter two years at a clinical site. The program also includes a compulsory month-long rotation in rural hospitals and clinics.
While only two cohorts have graduated from the school as of 2022, the classes have seen excellent placement results. The classes of 2021 and 2022 had GME residency placement rates of 97.1% and 99.3%, respectively.
Which Med School in Arkansas Is Right for Me?
If you want to earn an M.D. degree, the UAMS College of Medicine should be your first pick. The school’s three-year track also lets you earn your degree in less time, saving up to 25% of college tuition. However, if you want to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine with a D.O. degree, the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine would be the ideal institution for you.
It’s also worth noting that while UAMS is well-ranked in several categories, ARCOM is currently unranked due to its recent inception.
How Do I Get Accepted to an Arkansas Med School?
Ace your MCAT! We’re serious—you can’t underestimate the weight that the MCAT score carries in your application. Medical colleges use standardized test results to assess applicants’ abilities and to see if they can keep up with the school’s academic requirements. In addition to acing the MCAT, you should also include these 4 things on your med school application.
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