MCAT Scores by Medical School 2026

How to Use This MCAT School Comparison Tool

This tool helps you answer a simple question: where does my MCAT score stand relative to the schools I'm targeting?

Enter your score in the input field and the table instantly highlights schools where your score is at or above the average. Schools where you fall more than 2 points below are dimmed.

Understanding the Data

• Average MCAT represents the mean or median total MCAT score of the most recently admitted class, as reported by each school or AAMC
• Average GPA is the mean cumulative undergraduate GPA of admitted students
• Tier rankings are based on U.S. News & World Report medical school research rankings

Key Benchmarks

MD vs. DO Programs

Both MD and DO degrees lead to full physician licensure. The key differences in admissions:

• MD programs have a national average MCAT of 512 and GPA of 3.81 (AAMC FACTS, 2025)
• DO programs have a national average MCAT of 503 and GPA of 3.60
• DO programs tend to place more emphasis on clinical experience and community service relative to raw scores

A Note on Holistic Admissions

MCAT scores are important, but medical school admissions are holistic. Schools also weigh:

• GPA and science GPA
• Clinical experience and volunteering
• Research experience
• Personal statement and secondary essays
• Letters of recommendation
• Interview performance
• Life experiences and diversity of background

A strong MCAT score opens doors, but it is one piece of a larger picture.

What MCAT Score Do I Need? Scores by School Tier

One of the most common questions pre-med students ask is "what MCAT score do I need?" The answer depends entirely on which schools you're targeting.

Top 10 Medical Schools (520+)

The most competitive programs in the country — Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UCSF, Penn, Columbia, Washington University, Duke, NYU, and Yale — have average MCAT scores between 520 and 524.

To be a competitive applicant at these schools:

• MCAT: 519+ (ideally 521+)
• GPA: 3.85+ (ideally 3.90+)
• Research: Significant research experience, often with publications or presentations
• Extras: Strong narrative, leadership, meaningful clinical experience

A 517 with an exceptional story, publications, and unique background can still earn interviews. But below 515, the odds drop sharply at these programs.

Top 25 Medical Schools (516-520)

Schools like Michigan, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Emory, Northwestern, and Mount Sinai have average MCATs in the 516-520 range.

• MCAT: 515+ to be competitive
• GPA: 3.75+
• Research: Expected but doesn't need to be extensive
• Clinical experience: Strong and well-articulated

This tier offers slightly more flexibility. A 513 with an outstanding application can work, while a 520 with a thin application may not.

Top 50 Medical Schools (512-516)

This includes many strong programs — University of Colorado, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, Ohio State, Brown, and similar schools. Averages fall in the 512-516 range.

• MCAT: 510+ puts you in range
• GPA: 3.65+
• These programs place significant weight on mission fit, state residency, and clinical experience

State Schools and Regional Programs (505-514)

Many public medical schools have average MCATs of 505-514, with significant in-state preference. Schools like University of New Mexico, East Carolina, and many newer MD programs fall in this range.

• MCAT: 503+ for in-state applicants, 508+ for out-of-state
• GPA: 3.50+
• Key advantage: In-state residency can offset a lower MCAT by 3-5 points compared to out-of-state applicants

DO Programs (500-508)

Osteopathic medical schools have average MCATs of 500-508, though the most competitive DO programs (PCOM, LECOM, Touro) are trending toward 508-512.

• MCAT: 500+ for most programs, 505+ for competitive DO schools
• GPA: 3.40+
• Emphasis: Clinical experience, community service, understanding of osteopathic philosophy

How to Build Your Medical School List Using MCAT Scores

Your school list is one of the most important strategic decisions in your application. Building it poorly — too top-heavy, too few schools, or ignoring state residency — is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.

The Reach / Target / Safety Framework

Divide your school list into three categories based on where your MCAT and GPA fall relative to each school's averages:

How Many Schools Should You Apply To?

The right number depends on your competitiveness:

Applying to too few schools is riskier than applying to too many. The primary application (AMCAS) lets you add schools at $42 each — expensive, but far cheaper than reapplying next cycle.

State Residency: Your Biggest Admissions Advantage

Public medical schools heavily favor in-state residents. This is often the single biggest factor in your admissions odds, even more than MCAT score at some schools.

How in-state preference works:

• Most public schools reserve 50-80% of their class for in-state residents
• Some schools (like University of Washington's WWAMI program) extend in-state status to residents of partner states
• In-state applicants may face lower effective MCAT thresholds — a 508 in-state applicant may be more competitive than a 515 out-of-state applicant at the same school
• States with multiple public medical schools (California, Texas, New York) offer the most in-state options

Always include every public medical school in your state on your list, even if your scores are below their average. The in-state advantage is that significant.

Building a School List by MCAT Score

Here is a general framework for how to allocate your applications:

With a 520+ MCAT

• 5-8 top-25 reach/target schools
• 5-8 top-50 target schools
• 3-5 safety schools (mid-tier MD programs)
• All in-state public schools

With a 512-519 MCAT

• 3-5 top-25 reach schools (be selective)
• 8-12 mid-tier MD target schools
• 3-5 safety schools
• All in-state public schools
• Consider 1-2 DO programs as insurance if below 514

With a 505-511 MCAT

• 2-3 reach schools (only if you have a compelling hook)
• 8-12 mid-tier or lower-tier MD targets
• 5-8 DO programs
• All in-state public schools (MD and DO)

With a 500-504 MCAT

• Focus primarily on DO programs (15-20)
• 5-8 lower-tier MD programs where your score is in range
• All in-state options
• Consider whether a retake might be strategic

MCAT Score vs. GPA: Which Matters More?

This is one of the most debated questions in pre-med circles. The honest answer: both matter, but in different ways.

The AAMC Grid

AAMC publishes an acceptance rate grid that cross-references MCAT scores and GPAs. The data shows:

Approximate acceptance rates for MD programs based on AAMC FACTS tables. Actual rates vary by cycle.

Key Takeaways from the Grid

1. MCAT has slightly more weight than GPA. Moving from a 510 to a 518 increases acceptance rates more than moving from a 3.40 to a 3.80 GPA.
2. A high MCAT can partially compensate for a lower GPA — but not entirely. A 520 with a 3.20 GPA still has lower odds than a 515 with a 3.80.
3. Both below threshold is the danger zone. If both your MCAT and GPA are below a school's average, your chances drop dramatically.
4. The biggest return on investment is moving out of the lowest tier. Going from a 505 to a 512 MCAT has a much bigger impact than going from a 518 to a 521.

When to Focus on MCAT vs. GPA

• If your GPA is set (you've graduated or are close): Focus all energy on maximizing your MCAT. It's the one number you can still change.
• If you have time left in school: Don't sacrifice GPA for MCAT studying. A 3.80/515 is stronger than a 3.60/519 at most schools.
• If both are low: Consider a post-bacc or SMP (Special Master's Program) to boost your GPA, then retake the MCAT.

Understanding MCAT Score Ranges vs. Averages

The average MCAT listed for a school does not mean everyone admitted scored at that number. There is a wide range of scores in every admitted class.

Typical Score Ranges at Different School Tiers

This means that at a school with a 514 average, there are students who were admitted with a 508. Those students likely had strong applications in other areas — research, clinical experience, diversity of background, or a compelling personal narrative.

What This Means for Your School List

• Don't eliminate schools where you're 3-4 points below average. You may fall within their admitted range.
• Don't assume schools where you're above average are guaranteed. Yield protection (schools assuming high-stat applicants won't attend) is real.
• Score ranges are wider at mid-tier schools. These schools tend to be more holistic and accept a broader range of stats.

Low MCAT Score? How to Strengthen Your Application

If your MCAT score is below the average for your target schools, you have several options beyond retaking the exam.

1. Strengthen Other Application Components

A 508 with an exceptional application can outperform a 515 with a generic one. Focus on:

• Clinical experience: 500+ hours of meaningful patient contact (not just shadowing)
• Research: Even 6-12 months of research experience with a letter from your PI adds significant value
• Leadership: Positions where you made tangible impact, not just titles
• Personal statement: A compelling, specific narrative that explains who you are and why medicine

2. Apply Strategically

• Lean into state residency. Your in-state public school is your best bet with a lower MCAT.
• Target mission-aligned schools. Schools with missions in rural health, underserved communities, or primary care often weigh life experience and commitment over raw scores.
• Include DO programs. DO schools tend to place more emphasis on the whole applicant and less on MCAT alone.

3. Consider a Gap Year to Retake

If you're 5+ points below your target schools' averages, a retake during a gap year may be more effective than applying with a lower score. Use the gap year to also gain clinical experience and research.

4. Post-Bacc and SMP Programs

If both your MCAT and GPA are low, a post-baccalaureate pre-med program or Special Master's Program (SMP) can demonstrate academic capability. Many SMPs have linkage agreements with their affiliated medical school.

The Real Cost of Applying to Medical School

MCAT scores don't just determine where you can get in — they also affect how much you'll spend on applications. Here is a breakdown:

Total Application Cost Estimates

Students with lower MCAT scores typically apply to more schools, which means higher application costs. Factor this into your decision about whether to retake the MCAT or apply with your current score.

Fee Assistance Programs

AAMC offers the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) for applicants with financial need. Benefits include:

• Free MCAT registration (up to 4 times)
• Reduced AMCAS fees (free for up to 20 schools)
• Free MSAR access
• Reduced fees for some secondary applications

Check eligibility at AAMC's website if cost is a barrier.

MCAT Scores and Medical School Scholarships

Your MCAT score doesn't just affect admissions — it can significantly impact your financial aid package.

Merit Scholarships by MCAT Score

Many medical schools offer merit-based scholarships to attract high-scoring students. While most schools don't publish exact cutoffs, the general pattern is:

• 520+: Eligible for full-tuition or significant merit scholarships at many mid-tier and some top-tier programs
• 515-519: Partial merit scholarships available at mid-tier programs
• 510-514: Scholarships less common but possible at schools where your score is above average
• Below 510: Merit scholarships are rare; focus on need-based aid

Schools Known for Merit Scholarships

Several schools are known for generous merit aid:

• NYU Grossman: Full tuition for all students (not score-dependent)
• Cleveland Clinic Lerner: Significant scholarships for high-stat applicants
• Many state schools: Offer in-state merit awards to retain top applicants
• Newer MD programs: Often use scholarships to attract students with higher scores

The Financial Argument for Score Improvement

The median medical school debt is $200,000+. A 3-5 point MCAT improvement that earns a $50,000-$100,000 scholarship represents an enormous return on the time invested in additional studying. This is worth considering if you're deciding between applying now or studying for a higher score.

MCAT Score Trends Over Time

MCAT scores and admissions standards have been rising steadily. Understanding these trends helps you set realistic expectations.

Rising Averages

• 2015-2016: First year of the new MCAT (528 scale). Average MD matriculant score: ~508
• 2019-2020: Average rose to ~511
• 2024-2025: Average now ~512 for MD matriculants

The average has increased about 1 point every 2-3 years. This means a 510 today is slightly less competitive than a 510 was five years ago.

Why Scores Keep Rising

1. Better prep resources: More free and paid prep materials available than ever
2. More retakes: Students are more willing to retake, pushing average scores up
3. Growing applicant pool: More applicants means more competition
4. DO acceptance: As DO programs gain acceptance, strong students who might have gone DO now compete for MD spots

What This Means for You

Don't compare your score to data from 5+ years ago. A score that was competitive in 2020 may be below average today. Always use the most current admissions data when building your school list — which is exactly what this tool provides.

Source: AAMC FACTS tables, MSAR, official school admissions pages (2025 entering class data).

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