A New Record for Medical School Enrollments

January 13, 2025

There are more students enrolled in medical school than ever before, according to new data this month from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The record enrollment comes despite a decline in the total number of applicants, which has dropped to its lowest number since 2017–2018.

“The AAMC and its member medical schools are committed to continuing our efforts to increase the supply of physicians and to increase the range of backgrounds and experiences in the applicant and matriculant pools that are critical to the future physician workforce,” David J. Scorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO, said in a statement.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• The big number:  U.S. medical school enrollment increased to 99,562 (+1.8%) for 2024–2025.
• Application trends:  For the third straight year, applications to medical schools are down from the pandemic peak (62,433).
  • The total number of applicants for 2024–2025 was 51,946 (-1.2%), which is comparable to 2017–2018 levels.
  • Women comprised 56.8 percent of applicants and 54.9 percent of total enrollment.
• First-time applicants:  About 74 percent of all applicants were applying for the first time, a 2.3 percent increase from the prior year.
• What to watch:  A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision on the consideration of race in admissions and other state-level policies mean “medical schools are operating in a new environment,” said David A. Acosta, MD, AAMC chief diversity and inclusion officer.
  • Applications from Black or African American candidates and among those of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin increased. There was a significant decrease in American Indian or Alaska Native applicants (-15.4%).
• Quotable:  “Evidence shows that a more varied workforce can improve access to health care and the health of our communities,” Skorton said.

A press release and the AAMC’s summary data tables and full data tables are available online.