June 18, 2025
Written By
Zach French
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You’re considering applying to medical schools in Arizona, but the landscape feels murky. Which programs are actually within reach? Is Mayo even worth a shot if your MCAT isn’t sky-high? Are DO programs like A.T. Still and Midwestern solid backup plans or strategic first choices? And what’s the real story for out-of-state applicants trying to break in?
This guide unpacks everything you need to know about the five major medical schools in Arizona. You’ll get side-by-side comparisons on curriculum, clinical exposure, dual degree options, and student life. We’ll show you how to tailor your app to each program with a strategy that goes beyond stats: from crafting your personal statement to conquering secondaries and interviews.
At Premed Catalyst, we’ve been confused and overwhelmed premeds, just like you. That’s why we created a free resource featuring 8 full AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to top med schools like UCLA. These are real examples of what works. Use them to create your own winning app.
Get your free resource here.
Arizona might not get the same hype as California or New York, but don’t let that fool you. Arizona is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic states for medical education. With a mix of old and new institutions, MD and DO options, and both public and private schools, it offers something for almost every type of applicant.
Arizona is one of the rare states where both MD and DO programs carry real weight and the lines between them are blurrier than ever. MD (Doctor of Medicine) programs tend to be more research-focused, with an edge in academic prestige and residency placements, especially in competitive specialties. DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) programs emphasize a holistic approach and primary care, with training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
But here's the truth: residency directors care more about your clinical skill and Step/COMLEX scores than your degree initials. What matters more than MD vs DO is how you use your school’s resources to build a standout application.
If you're looking to maximize your odds while staying in-state (or relocating to the Southwest), applying to a mix of both MD and DO programs can be a smart strategy, especially in a state like Arizona, where every school has its own niche.
Arizona is home to five accredited medical schools, each with distinct strengths, values, and admissions profiles. Whether you're focused on research, rural medicine, or fast-tracking to residency, there's a program here that fits your goals. The key is knowing which school aligns with your background and ambitions and what each program looks for in applicants.
There are “good” med schools and then there’s Mayo. The Alix School of Medicine is one of the most selective programs in the country, and its Phoenix campus brings that same elite standard to the desert. If you’re applying here, you’re not just signing up for lectures and white coats. You’re stepping into a system built on innovation, patient-first care, and research that actually changes how medicine is practiced.
MCASOM expanded to Arizona in 2017, bringing the Mayo name and everything it represents into the Southwest. Backed by one of the most prestigious healthcare systems in the world, the Phoenix campus is small by design, selective by nature, and laser-focused on training future physician leaders.
Its mission? To “educate and inspire a diverse workforce of physicians and scientists to advance the practice of medicine.” Translation: they want thinkers and innovators, not just test-takers.
Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix campus is one of the most selective med schools in the country, period. The average GPA is 3.94, and the average MCAT is 521. That’s pretty brutal.
The acceptance rate hovers around 2%, with thousands of applicants fighting for fewer than 60 seats across both campuses. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it does mean you need more than just numbers to stand out.
Mayo runs on an integrated, science-first curriculum that pushes you into clinical exposure within the first few weeks. You’ll learn the basic sciences through system-based courses while building clinical skills and working with patients early on.
The curriculum is pass/fail pre-clinical and includes selectives, letting you customize your education from the beginning. It’s fast-paced, structured, and intentionally designed to make you a residency standout.
MCASOM’s Arizona students get clinical training across Mayo Clinic Phoenix; a hospital consistently ranked among the best in the nation. You’ll also rotate through partner institutions like Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Banner Health, and St. Joseph’s. Expect high-volume, high-acuity cases early and often. This isn’t shadow-and-smile medicine; you’re in the thick of it.
Prestige + Small Class Size: Just 50 students per class in Arizona means close mentorship, direct access to world-class faculty, and less competition for clinical experiences.
Translational Education: You’re taught by active researchers and physicians working on the cutting edge of medicine.
National Network: You’re not just a Mayo Arizona student. You’re a Mayo student. That opens doors at all three campuses and gives your degree instant national recognition.
Mayo takes research seriously, and so should you if you’re applying. Every student completes a required research thesis, and the Arizona campus connects you to Mayo Clinic’s top-tier research infrastructure.
If you want to go further, dual degrees in MD-PhD and MD-MS in Biomedical Informatics are available, along with funded summer research fellowships. If you’re aiming for academic medicine or specialty programs, this is where you build that track record.
The Phoenix campus is brand new, high-tech, and deeply integrated with the hospital itself. Think simulation centers, small-group classrooms, and dedicated study spaces, all within walking distance of your clinical rotations.
Outside the hospital, you get sunshine year-round and a city with a growing healthcare economy. It's not a party school vibe. It’s tight-knit, mission-driven, and built for people who are serious about becoming leaders in medicine.
With campuses in both Tucson and Phoenix, U of A’s College of Medicine is big, public, and mission-driven. You won’t find Ivy League vibes here, but you will find strong clinical training, access to diverse patient populations, and a curriculum designed to get you residency-ready without burning you out. It’s a place where your motivation matters more than your connections and where being from Arizona can actually give you a real admissions edge.
Founded in 1967, the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson is the OG of Arizona med schools. It was built to serve the health needs of Arizona’s communities, especially in underserved and rural areas, and that mission still shows up everywhere in how they train, who they admit, and where their grads end up. It’s a public school with a public service mindset: accessible, community-focused, and determined to build up Arizona’s physician workforce from within.
UACOM-Tucson is Arizona’s flagship MD program, and if you’re an in-state applicant, this is probably your best statistical shot. The average GPA is 3.77 and the average MCAT is 511, which puts it in that middle ground: competitive but not cutthroat. The acceptance rate sits around 5–6%, but in-state applicants get a noticeable boost, especially if they’ve got ties to rural health, community service, or primary care.
Out-of-state? You’ll need strong stats and a compelling case for why Tucson makes sense for your goals. That said, if you’re in-state, don’t assume residency alone will carry you. Plenty of Arizona applicants still get turned away.
UACOM-T uses a double-helix curriculum, which means your basic science and clinical learning are tightly woven together from day one. You’ll get a solid academic foundation without waiting years to touch a stethoscope.
Pre-clinical years are pass/fail, helping reduce the cutthroat culture, and the school offers tons of flexibility to shape your education through scholarly projects and focus areas like rural health or global medicine.
When it comes to clinical training, UACOM-T has deep roots in the community. Students rotate through Banner – University Medical Center, Southern Arizona VA, Phoenix Children’s, and multiple rural hospitals across the state. You won’t just see bread-and-butter cases. You’ll treat diverse, often underserved populations that force you to level up your clinical game fast.
Statewide Reach: Clinical partnerships span Arizona, giving you real exposure to urban, suburban, and rural healthcare systems.
Community-Focused: If you’re serious about public health, working with underserved populations, or practicing in Arizona long-term, this is where you want to be.
Lower Cost for Residents: As a public school, UACOM-T offers in-state tuition that makes med school more affordable without sacrificing quality.
The school offers MD-PhD, MD-MPH, and MD-MBA tracks, plus certificate programs in integrative medicine and public health. Research isn’t as heavily emphasized as at Mayo, but there are still strong opportunities in neuroscience, cancer biology, and population health, especially through the university’s major research centers and the BIO5 Institute.
Tucson is a laid-back college town with stunning desert views, unbeatable hiking, and a slower pace of life that helps balance the intensity of med school. The College of Medicine sits right on the main UA campus, so you get the full university experience—gyms, libraries, rec centers—along with dedicated med school facilities like simulation labs and anatomy suites.
If Tucson is the mission-driven legacy campus, Phoenix is its fast-rising younger sibling with a more urban, tech-forward feel. Opened in 2007, UACOM-Phoenix is newer, flashier, and deeply connected to Arizona’s growing healthcare ecosystem. It's right in the heart of downtown Phoenix, steps away from biomedical startups, major hospital systems, and public health hubs.
For students who want to be in the thick of clinical medicine, innovation, and city life, this campus hits a sweet spot.
The Phoenix campus was created to expand Arizona’s physician workforce and give students a more modern, urban option. Its mission centers around educating "exceptional, diverse students to become compassionate physicians, scientists, and leaders." It’s the kind of place that’s constantly evolving with new partnerships, updated tech, and growing class sizes while still holding onto the U of A mission of service.
UACOM-Phoenix is just as competitive as its Tucson counterpart, and maybe more so, thanks to its urban location and newer facilities. The average GPA is 3.79 and the average MCAT is 512, slightly higher than Tucson’s. The acceptance rate is around 3–4%, with heavy preference given to Arizona residents and applicants with clear ties to the state or its communities.
If you’re out of state, you’ll need to show you understand their mission and are ready to serve in a high-volume, diverse, and fast-paced clinical environment.
UACOM-Phoenix runs on a block-style, organ system curriculum with early clinical exposure, small-group learning, and a heavy dose of technology integration. The first two years are pass/fail, and there’s a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine and simulation-based training. They’ve also built in dedicated time for research, service, or leadership projects, giving you space to explore more than just the core curriculum.
This school is all about clinical access. Students train at major hospitals like Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix Children’s, and Valleywise Health. You’ll see everything from cutting-edge surgical cases to street-level community health. Being based in a major metro means high-volume and high-complexity patients.
Location, Location, Location: You’re in Arizona’s largest city, working in hospitals that serve one of the most diverse populations in the country.
Innovation Culture: Close ties to ASU and biotech startups make this a great option for students interested in digital health, med tech, or public health.
Modern Vibe: From the buildings to the curriculum to the culture, UACOM-Phoenix feels like a program built for the future, not stuck in tradition.
The Phoenix campus offers MD-MPH, MD-MBA, and MD-PhD options, though the PhD tracks are more limited than Tucson. Research here leans more applied than basic science. Think health systems, emergency medicine, public health, and biomedical innovation. If your interests align with tech-forward or urban-focused healthcare problems, there’s a strong sandbox to play in.
You’re living in downtown Phoenix, surrounded by restaurants, hospitals, startups, and a city that’s growing fast. The med school itself is sleek and modern, with sim centers, collaborative study spaces, and direct access to clinical sites. Students here tend to be independent, ambitious, and a little scrappy as it’s a newer campus still building its name.
If you’re drawn to medicine because you want to work directly with underserved communities and not just talk about it, ATSU-SOMA might be the best Arizona med school for you.
This is not your traditional med school model. SOMA flips the script with early, real-world clinical immersion at community health centers across the country. It's DO, it’s mission-driven, and it’s built for students who care about getting to work.
A.T. Still University is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine, and SOMA was designed to bring that philosophy into the modern world. Founded in 2007, the school trains students to serve where they’re needed most, like in rural towns, urban clinics, tribal nations, and immigrant communities. Its mission is crystal clear: educate "community-minded physicians to serve the underserved." If you're applying here, they're not just looking at your MCAT. They're looking at your values.
ATSU-SOMA isn’t looking for perfect test-takers. They’re looking for future doctors who actually want to serve. The average GPA is around 3.49, and the average MCAT is 505, which makes it more accessible than most MD programs. But, don’t let the numbers fool you. Admissions here are still competitive, especially because they’re screening hard for mission fit.
The estimated acceptance rate is around 7–8%, with many students bringing backgrounds in service, public health, or working with underserved populations. If that’s your story, this is a school where your experiences carry more weight than your stats. If it’s not, your app likely won’t land.
SOMA uses a hybrid curriculum, which means you’ll spend your first year on the Mesa, AZ campus doing didactics and labs. Then, years 2–4 are spent at one of 13+ community health center (CHC) sites across the country.
Didactic learning is team-based and tech-supported, and OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) is integrated throughout. It’s pass/fail early on, with a heavy emphasis on clinical reasoning, social determinants of health, and interprofessional teamwork.
Clinical exposure here starts fast and stays steady. Once you're placed at your CHC site, you're embedded in the day-to-day operations of real clinics that serve high-need populations. That means fewer lectures and more hands-on experience with real patients, real challenges, and real impact. You’re not shadowing. You’re participating.
Nationwide Clinical Model: Training across different geographic regions makes your education flexible and broad.
Mission-Driven Admissions: If you’ve got a track record of service and a passion for underserved care, this is one of the most aligned schools in the country.
Lower Academic Barriers: They know good doctors aren’t just their test scores. Strong mission fit can matter more than a perfect GPA.
Dual degree options are limited compared to larger institutions, but SOMA offers opportunities to pursue public health, health equity, and primary care innovation projects. Research here is less about lab coats and more about community-based outcomes, health disparities, and practice-based learning at your CHC site.
Year one is spent in Mesa, a low-key suburb with sunshine, affordable rent, and a quiet grind culture. After that, your experience depends entirely on your CHC placement. Some students stay local in Arizona; others train in states like California, New York, or Texas. You won’t have a traditional campus vibe, but you will have real-world, frontline training.
If you’re looking for a DO program that delivers strong clinical training without the chaos of constant relocation, AZCOM might be your best fit in Arizona. It’s structured, suburban, and serious about matching students into solid residencies. While it doesn’t carry the brand power of an MD program or the mission focus of ATSU, AZCOM has built a quiet reputation for turning out competent, competitive DOs who match well, especially in primary care, EM, and surgery.
Founded in 1995 as part of Midwestern University, AZCOM was created to expand osteopathic medical education in the West. The school’s mission focuses on preparing students to become "compassionate, competent physicians" who serve a wide range of communities. It’s not overly flashy, but it’s reliable, grounded, and clear about what it wants: students who will work hard, respect the osteopathic philosophy, and commit to patient-centered care.
AZCOM is one of the most established and respected DO programs in the West, and that consistency shows in its admissions. The average GPA is 3.60, and the average MCAT is 507. The acceptance rate falls around 6–8%, though that can vary depending on the applicant pool each year. This means competitive but still within reach for strong applicants.
AZCOM sticks to a traditional two-plus-two format: two years of didactic learning followed by two years of clinical rotations. Pre-clinical years are science-heavy, lecture-based, and structured, which is ideal if you prefer a more straightforward approach to learning. You’ll also get early exposure to OMM labs, clinical skills training, and patient interviews.
Clinical rotations start third year and take place at a wide network of partner hospitals and clinics across Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and beyond. Rotations are solid in family med, EM, IM, and surgery. The school also helps students lock down sites, but like most DO schools, you’ll need to hustle to secure top-tier electives, especially for competitive specialties.
Strong Match Outcomes: Year after year, AZCOM grads match well across both primary care and some competitive specialties.
Stable Location: You spend all four years based out of the Glendale campus, with most rotations regionally placed. This means less disruption and more consistency.
Proven Structure: No experimental curriculum here. This is a proven formula that’s been prepping DOs for decades.
AZCOM doesn’t emphasize dual degrees, but Midwestern University offers access to public health, health professions education, and biomedical sciences programs. Research isn’t the main draw here, but if you want to publish or present, you’ll find faculty mentors and student-led projects in areas like sports med, OMM, and rural health.
The Glendale campus is suburban, safe, and super self-contained. You’ll have access to on-campus housing, gyms, anatomy labs, sim centers, and all the coffee you need to survive pre-clinicals. Students at AZCOM are focused. Many live nearby, grind together, and form close-knit support systems.
Getting into medical school isn’t just about being “a good student.” It’s about being the right fit for the right school and showing that fit in every part of your application. If your strategy boils down to “get as many experiences as possible, get good grades, then apply everywhere,” you're going to burn out fast and waste thousands of dollars.
This playbook is how serious applicants get into schools like Mayo, U of A, and AZCOM.
Before you write a single essay, you need to know where you actually have a shot. So, how many med schools should you apply to?
Look for schools where your GPA and MCAT align with their median, not just their published minimums. If you're sitting on a 506, Mayo isn't a target. If you're at a 520+, then sure, take your shot. It’s all about aiming smart.
Grades and scores open the door, but your story is what gets you in the room. Your personal statement needs to do one thing: tell a compelling story about who you are, what you care about, and what kind of doctor you’re becoming. This isn’t the time for buzzwords about “passion” and “making a difference.” It’s about showing exactly how your experiences shaped this path and what you’ll bring to the table that no one else can.
Secondaries are where average applicants start to unravel. The trick? Write answers that are tailored to each school’s values. U of A wants to hear about service. ATSU wants to know you’ll show up for underserved communities. Mayo wants thinkers. And if you copy-paste generic answers, they’ll spot it instantly.
Your letters should confirm what your app already says about who you are. Pro tip: a generic letter from a big name who barely knows you isn’t as powerful as a letter from someone generic who knows you well. Choose writers who’ve seen you in action and can speak to how you work, not just that you're “nice.”
The interview isn’t about reciting your resume. It’s about connecting the dots. Every answer should reinforce the same narrative your personal statement started. Your story, your goals, your values. It all needs to align. If you’re talking about rural medicine in your essays and then act clueless about underserved care in the interview, it’s over. Authenticity matters.
Arizona isn’t just a place to study medicine. It’s a lifestyle. With year-round sunshine, low(ish) cost of living, and access to everything from city hospitals to rural clinics, this is one of the most versatile med school ecosystems in the country. But where you live and how much you spend can vary wildly depending on which school you attend. Here’s how it all breaks down.
Med school is expensive no matter where you go, but Arizona gives you a slight edge, especially if you’re an in-state applicant. Here’s a rough look at total annual costs (tuition + living):
These estimates include tuition, fees, and basic living costs. Actual costs depend on location, housing, and lifestyle, but don’t forget to factor in hidden costs like relocation for rotations, board prep, and interview travel (yes, that’s still a thing).
Phoenix: Big city energy, tons of hospitals, and most of Arizona’s healthcare infrastructure. If you want action, diversity, and career access, this is the epicenter. That said, it’s getting more expensive, so expect rising rent and traffic.
Tucson: More chill, lower cost of living, and a stronger campus community feel. It’s a classic college town with a big public health footprint and lots of outdoor access. Great if you want a slower pace with solid clinical volume.
Mesa/Glendale: Suburban comfort meets clinical convenience. ATSU and Midwestern offer stability, affordable housing, and less distraction, which might be exactly what you want in med school. Don’t expect nightlife, but do expect structure.
There’s no “best” med school in Arizona, only the one that fits your goals, your stats, and your story.
If you're chasing prestige, research, or competitive specialties, Mayo Clinic Alix SOM is your top-tier bet, but only if your stats are elite and your narrative is polished.
If you're an Arizona resident with solid stats and a commitment to community health, U of A Tucson offers the best shot at a high-quality, mission-driven MD education with in-state tuition. If you want a more urban, innovation-forward experience with strong hospital access, U of A Phoenix brings the same degree with a different flavor.
If you’re looking for a school that prioritizes service over scores, where underserved medicine is more than just brochure talk, ATSU-SOMA is built for you. Just know that the curriculum and clinical model are unconventional.
If you want a traditional DO education with strong residency outcomes and geographic stability, Midwestern AZCOM is a safe, structured bet. No fluff, just four years of focused training and a well-oiled path to practice.
Arizona might be your top choice, but smart applicants rarely build their school list around just one state. Med school admissions are competitive, unpredictable, and often regionally biased. That’s why it can be beneficial to cast a wider net, especially if your stats, mission fit, or residency status make certain Arizona schools a stretch.
Not sure where to look next? We’ve broken down the med school landscape in other states to help you build a strategic, stats-aligned list:
If you’re overwhelmed trying to figure out what makes a med school app “good enough,” you’re not alone. Most premeds are left guessing, piecing together advice from forums and Reddit threads that barely scratch the surface of what really matters.
At Premed Catalyst, we’ve been confused, stressed-out applicants just like you. That’s exactly why we built a free resource featuring 8 full AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to top-tier med schools, including UCLA and UCSF. Use them as blueprints to craft your own application.
Get your free resource here.
If your MCAT is below 520, Mayo becomes a reach school, not a target. With an average MCAT of 521 and a sub-2% acceptance rate, most applicants are cut based on numbers before anyone even reads their essays.
That said, if the rest of your app is exceptional—think major publications, national leadership, or a compelling background, then it’s not impossible. But if you’re applying on a tight budget or don’t have the bandwidth to write another elite-level secondary, it’s probably not worth the shot.
Out-of-state (OOS) applicants face an uphill battle at Arizona’s public MD schools. U of A Tucson and U of A Phoenix both favor in-state students heavily, especially those with ties to Arizona or clear alignment with state-focused missions like primary care and community health.
That said, strong OOS applicants with high stats and mission fit do get in, especially at the Phoenix campus. For DO schools (ATSU and AZCOM), residency status isn’t a major factor. If you're OOS, bring a narrative that shows why Arizona is a fit for your goals.
Best for Research: Mayo Clinic Alix SOM—hands down. Top-tier infrastructure, funded opportunities, and a research thesis baked into the curriculum.
Best for Primary Care: U of A Tucson—the school’s mission, rural tracks, and community partnerships make it ideal for students going into family med, peds, or internal.
Best for Rural/Underserved Care: ATSU-SOMA—this is literally what the school was built for. You train at CHCs that serve high-need populations from day one.
U of A Tucson offers the widest menu of dual degree options, including MD-MPH, MD-MBA, MD-PhD, and various certificate programs. Mayo offers a streamlined MD-MS in Biomedical Informatics and has strong infrastructure for research-focused add-ons but fewer formal dual degree paths. ATSU and AZCOM have limited dual degrees. If combining degrees is a priority, stick with one of the MD programs.