Medical Schools in Arkansas: How to Get In (2025)
/Everything you need to know about medical schools in Arkansas: degree and course offerings, statistics and strategies to be a competitive candidate
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Arkansas: 2024 rankings & admissions statistics
Part 3: Arkansas medical school profiles
Part 4: Arkansas medical school admissions strategies
Part 5: Frequently asked questions
Appendix A: Arkansas medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Arkansas medical schools by institution type
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Part 1: Introduction
Arkansas medical schools are an excellent choice for those seeking a low cost of living, quality facilities and the chance to help those less fortunate. Medical schools in Arkansas are known for their programs focused on serving rural communities. The University of Arkansas Medical School even offers a Rural Practice Scholarship Program that can help offset the cost of the education required to serve those in need. The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is itself located in a rural setting on 600 acres in Fort Smith.
If you’re keen on studying osteopathic medicine, you’ll have a few options in Arkansas with both ARCOM and the New York Institute of Technology offering DO programs there.
In this guide, we’ll cover the major points regarding what each university has to offer and outline what it takes to successfully apply to the program of your choice in The Natural State.
Suggested reading: (Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)
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Part 2: List of Medical Schools in Arkansas
For medical schools throughout the country, admissions data, rankings and average test scores are always changing. This is also true for Arkansas so we’ve compiled the latest statistics for you in the table below.
While we gathered this data, a few elements stood out to us.
UAMS is the only school offering an MD
UAMS is the only school ranked
All schools are quite selective
All schools tend to place an importance on assisting rural communities
While there are only 3 medical schools in Arkansas, they each shine in their areas of strength. UAMS is known for its achievements in primary care and research, ARCOM has a comprehensive DO program and NYITCOM-Arkansas is accomplished in its use of technology.
Note: U.S. News and World Report moved to a tier-based ranking system in fall 2024, in part due to a number of schools declining to participate. Schools that declined to share sufficient data with US News are now unranked, which is reflected in the table below with ‘UR.' Schools that did participate are given ‘tier’ rankings by U.S. News. We’ve reported rankings from both the prior and current cycles to more accurately reflect where the top medical schools in Arkansas stand.
| Arkansas Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine (UAMS)* | Tier 3 (Research) - 2024 |
$74,326 OOS |
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| Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) | UR - 2024 |
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| New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM-Arkansas) | UR - 2024 |
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Part 3: Arkansas medical school profiles
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
If you’re seeking to earn an MD degree in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine is the only option, as other medical schools in the state offer DO programs. As the state's leading academic medical center, UAMS plays a vital role in healthcare education, and research, and is additionally one of the largest employers in Arkansas, with extensive connections to hospitals and healthcare organizations across the state and beyond.
The UAMS College of Medicine houses 21 clinical departments, offering a diverse range of medical specialties and subspecialties. Notably, UAMS features a Medical Humanities and Bioethics Department, geared towards giving students the tools to make sound ethical decisions in a 21st century care environment.
A key feature of the UAMS medical education experience is its “academic houses” system. Upon entering medical school, students are placed into one of seven academic houses, each led by a faculty advisor. This system fosters mentorship and peer support creating a sense of camaraderie that lasts throughout medical training.
In terms of research, UAMS is highly ranked, with strengths in both basic science and clinical research. The institution is particularly recognized for its contributions to primary care and rural medicine, addressing the pressing need for healthcare access in underserved areas. UAMS is also committed to improving health outcomes across the state, with initiatives focused on rural healthcare delivery and community-based health programs.
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is a relatively new but rapidly growing institution dedicated to improving medical care in Arkansas’s rural communities. The program follows a four-year curriculum, with the first two years focused on classroom-based learning and hands-on training in simulated clinical environments, while the final two years consist of clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics.
A key advantage of ARCOM’s approach is its extensive network of clinical partners. During the third and fourth years, students rotate through a variety of healthcare settings, including large hospitals, community health centers, and rural clinics.
Similar to UAMS, ARCOM places a strong emphasis on serving rural and medically underserved communities across Arkansas. Recognizing the shortage of healthcare professionals in these areas, the college integrates rural medicine training into its curriculum, preparing students to meet the unique challenges of practicing in less populated regions.
One distinctive aspect of ARCOM’s program is the one-month clinical rotation specifically focused on working with underserved populations. This rotation gives students firsthand experience with patients from various backgrounds.
The curriculum also emphasizes a collaborative learning environment, with small class sizes, problem-based learning, and early clinical exposure.
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University
Another pathway into osteopathic medicine in Arkansas is the NYITCOM-Arkansas. Established in 2016, it is a relatively new institution. However, what it lacks in history, it makes up for with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, and a strong focus on modern healthcare delivery methods.
One of the defining features of NYITCOM-Arkansas is its early integration of telemedicine training. NYITCOM-Arkansas incorporates telehealth instruction starting in the first year. Given the increasing role of telehealth in modern medicine, especially in rural and underserved areas, this early exposure helps prepare students for the evolving landscape of healthcare.
The campus also features live-streaming capabilities that connect students with faculty and peers at the main NYITCOM campus in New York. This bi-campus interaction allows students in Arkansas to participate in lectures and discussions even beyond Arkansas’s borders.
The curriculum is designed to provide multidisciplinary training, ensuring that graduates are equipped for diverse medical careers. To graduate, all students must earn a Certificate in Public Health as well as their DO. Students also have the opportunity to pursue additional certifications in Telemedicine, Health IT, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Global Health.
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Part 4: Arkansas medical school admissions strategies
Ensure your stats match up to theirs
If attending an Arkansas medical school is your dream, it’s advisable to determine where you might have the best chance of receiving an interview. Part of a good admissions strategy is crafting an exceptional application that will leave an impression on adcoms.
Before you apply, look at the information you have about each school and think about where your time can best be spent. GPAs and MCAT scores are one area where you can glean substantial information about your chances.
For UAMS College of Medicine, their own website mentions that GPAs above 3.6 and MCAT scores above 500 are competitive but we can see above that their average GPA is 3.8 and their average MCAT is 508. You might be competitive with a 3.6 and 500, but you’ll likely need standout extracurriculars to be offered admission.
Take time to practice for interviews
Getting an interview invitation is an incredible validation of your efforts and strength as a candidate. But getting over this final hurdle into medical school can also be immensely anxiety-inducing. What will adcoms ask you? What does a typical interview day look like?
Since all schools employ their own interview styles and schedules, you’ll want to first research how things are done at the medical school in Arkansas you’ve been invited to. The interviews may be virtual or in-person, they may be one-on-one in a traditional style or ultilize the multiple mini interview (MMI) format.
You should take the considerations into account and give yourself enough time to practice your responses before interview day. A little preparation will go a long way to calming your nerves so that you impress adcoms with your calm and confident demeanor on the big day.
Suggested Reading: (How to Ace Medical School Interviews (Questions Included))
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Evaluate the core values of each school and fashion an application that targets those values
Every medical school has their own founding philosophy or core values that govern their outlook. By reading through their mission statements and analyzing their curriculums you can get an idea of what makes them tick.
This information then becomes fantastic material for your secondary essays and interviews. For example, speaking to your desire to work with underserved and rural communities is likely to help your case with ARCOM or NYITCOM-Arkansas. Likewise, discussing your experiences as a premed that have led you to want to pursue primary care will add weight to an application to a top-ranked primary care school such as UAMS.
One more thing to note is that you’ll likely have a substantial amount of secondary essays to write for the schools you apply to and since your time is limited, considering how best to go about approaching your essays is important. Managing your time wisely will go a long way to helping you write well and communicate your fit for each program effectively.
To assist you in planning how to tackle these secondary essays, we’ve created the table below with the number of secondary prompts for medical schools in Arkansas. Whether you decide to tackle the school with the most essays first or the least is ultimately up to your individual working style, but what’s crucial is that you have a plan of action.
| Arkansas Medical Schools | |
|---|---|
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine | |
| Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine | |
| New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University |
Looking for secondary essay examples? Click below to access sample secondary essays for every prompt required by every MD and DO program in the United States and Canada. 1500+ essays and counting.
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Part 5: Frequently asked questions
Is Arkansas medically underserved?
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas is home to 172 medically underserved areas, 54% of which are in rural areas. If your keen to make a difference in the lives of rural communities, Arkansas may be a great place to obtain your medical education.
How long is medical school in Arkansas?
Typically, MD programs take four years to complete and this is true for medical schools in Arkansas. However, UAMS offers a three-year MD program option allowing you to save on cost and start practicing faster. Keep in mind that this program is no less intense than the traditional four-year program.
How much is medical school in Arkansas?
The cost of medical school in Arkansas ranges from about $40,000 per year for in-state residents to about $66,000 per year at a private institution.
What MCAT score do I need for UAMS?
The most recent publicly available data from UAMS has their average (mean) MCAT score among acceptees at 507, with a range from 495 to 523. They state that, “The admissions committee will look most favorably on applicants who have an MCAT score of 498 or above.”
Final Thoughts
If your dream centers around helping those less fortunate in rural communities, the path to a white coat through Arkansas may be just for you. With the DO programs capping admissions each year and UAMS not accepting much more, competition here is as stiff as in other states. Only through hard work, dedication, and forethought will you be able to gain acceptance.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
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Appendix A: Arkansas medical schools by degree type
Allopathic (MD) Schools in Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Osteopathic (DO) Schools in Arkansas
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University
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Appendix B: Arkansas medical schools by institution type
Public Medical Schools in Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Private Medical Schools in Arkansas
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University
