Average GPA & MCAT Score of the Top 100 Medical Schools (2026)

Average GPA & MCAT Score of the Top 100 Medical Schools (2026) was originally published on Leland.

If you are aiming for a top medical school, you have probably asked the same question every applicant asks: What is a good MCAT score, and what grade point average (GPA) do I actually need to get in? The honest answer is that the numbers matter, but they only mean something in context. A 515 is a reach at one program and a safe target at another. A 3.7 science GPA can be a liability or a non-issue depending on the rest of your file.

This guide gives you the real data, pulled from medical school admissions sites and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and then shows you how to use it. You will find a verified table of average GPA, science GPA, and average MCAT for the top 100 schools, a breakdown of what a good MCAT score looks like by tier, and a tactical plan for building a target med school list around your stats.

Read: How Long Is the MCAT? Format, Timing, and Tips to Prepare

What Changed in The 2026-2027 Admissions Landscape

Before the school-by-school numbers, here is the current state of play. The 2025-2026 cycle set records. According to AAMC data, 54,699 people applied to U.S. MD-granting programs, a 5.3% increase over the prior year and a reversal of a three-year decline. The entering class of 23,440 matriculants was the largest ever, and total enrollment across U.S. MD programs passed 100,000 students for the first time.

The national averages moved up with the volume. Here are the AAMC figures for the most recent matriculating class, the benchmarks every applicant should know:

MetricApplicantsMatriculantsOverall GPA3.673.81Science GPA (BCPM)3.593.75Average MCAT506.3512.1

Two takeaways. First, the gap between applicant and matriculant averages is the real story. The roughly 6-point MCAT spread and the 0.14 GPA spread tell you that scoring at the applicant average is not enough to be a competitive applicant. You want to meet or beat the matriculant numbers. Second, the science GPA sits about 0.06 below the overall GPA nationally. Admissions committees look hardest at your science GPA (BCPM: biology, chemistry, physics, and math), so a strong overall number with a weak science number is a flag.

Average GPA, Science GPA, and MCAT for the Top 100 Medical Schools

The table below covers 100 of the most competitive MD programs in the United States, ranked by average MCAT score. Figures reflect the most recent reported entering class (2025-2026 matriculants) and are drawn from each school’s published class profile, the AAMC MSAR, and official admissions pages.

A note on the science GPA column, because honesty about the data matters more than a tidy table. Almost no medical school publishes a separate science (BCPM) GPA for its matriculants on its website. That figure lives in the AAMC MSAR and in AAMC’s national aggregate. So the science GPA column below is an estimate, calculated as the school’s reported overall GPA minus 0.06, which is the national gap between matriculant overall GPA (3.81) and science GPA (3.75). Treat it as a close approximation, not a school-reported number. Where a school does publish its own science GPA, the verified figure is marked with an asterisk.

RankMedical SchoolStateAvg. Overall GPAEst. Science GPA (overall minus ~0.06)Avg. MCAT1New York University (Grossman)NY3.984.00*5232Columbia University (Vagelos)NY3.933.875223Johns Hopkins UniversityMD3.943.885214Mayo Clinic (Alix)MN3.953.895215University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)PA3.973.915216Washington University in St. LouisMO3.953.895217University of Chicago (Pritzker)IL3.913.855218Northwestern University (Feinberg)IL3.933.875219Yale School of MedicineCT3.943.8852110Harvard Medical SchoolMA3.903.8452011Vanderbilt UniversityTN3.913.8552012University of South Florida (Morsani)FL3.963.76*52013Stanford UniversityCA3.943.8851914Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNY3.903.8451915Mount Sinai (Icahn)NY3.813.7551916Duke UniversityNC3.903.8451917Hofstra/Northwell (Zucker)NY3.923.8651818Baylor College of MedicineTX3.923.8651819UT Health San Antonio (Long)TX3.903.8451820University of VirginiaVA3.853.7951821University of Texas at Austin (Dell)TX3.933.8751722Case Western Reserve UniversityOH3.903.8451723University of ColoradoCO3.703.6451724Boston University (Chobanian & Avedisian)MA3.763.7051725University of Southern California (Keck)CA3.853.7951726UCSFCA3.873.8151727UT SouthwesternTX3.963.9051728University of RochesterNY3.853.7951729Emory UniversityGA3.843.7851730University of PittsburghPA3.913.8551631UCLA (David Geffen)CA3.813.7551632UC IrvineCA3.833.7751633Albert Einstein College of MedicineNY3.823.7651634New York Medical CollegeNY3.603.5451635Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthNH3.773.7151636University of MichiganMI3.853.7951637Brown University (Alpert)RI3.833.7751638Stony Brook UniversityNY3.933.8751639University of FloridaFL3.923.85*51640Rutgers New Jersey Medical SchoolNJ3.833.7751541Hackensack MeridianNJ3.883.8251542University of Central FloridaFL3.913.8551543Saint Louis UniversityMO3.903.8451544George Washington UniversityDC3.883.8251545University of CincinnatiOH3.863.81*51546University of MarylandMD3.863.8051547University of UtahUT3.873.8151548Ohio State UniversityOH3.833.7751549Rutgers Robert Wood JohnsonNJ3.833.7751550University of Iowa (Carver)IA3.813.7551551Tufts UniversityMA3.823.7651552Kaiser Permanente (Tyson)CA3.783.7251553Creighton UniversityNE3.863.8051354University of ConnecticutCT3.803.7451355Sidney Kimmel (Thomas Jefferson)PA3.803.7451356Eastern Virginia (Macon & Joan Brock)VA3.703.6451357Florida Atlantic University (Schmidt)FL3.833.7751358Texas A&MTX3.893.8351359University of TennesseeTN3.833.7751360Carle Illinois College of MedicineIL3.733.6751361Geisinger CommonwealthPA3.813.7551362Georgetown UniversityDC3.763.7051363SUNY Upstate Medical UniversityNY3.813.7551364SUNY DownstateNY3.743.6851365Albany Medical CollegeNY3.803.7451266Medical College of GeorgiaGA3.803.7451267Drexel UniversityPA3.763.7051268University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC3.823.79*51269Indiana UniversityIN3.853.7951270University of WashingtonWA3.813.7551271University of Texas Medical BranchTX3.783.7251272UT McGovern (Houston)TX3.843.7851273University of Houston (Fertitta)TX3.843.7851274Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA3.703.6451275University of Vermont (Larner)VT3.703.6451276Western Michigan (Homer Stryker)MI3.813.7551277University of NebraskaNE3.873.8151278University of IllinoisIL3.823.7651179University of MinnesotaMN3.843.7851180University of Massachusetts (Chan)MA3.763.7051181West Virginia UniversityWV3.803.7451182Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityOH3.753.6951183Penn State College of MedicinePA3.753.6951184Wake Forest UniversityNC3.833.7751185University of WisconsinWI3.783.7251186University of OklahomaOK3.793.7351187Medical University of South CarolinaSC3.853.7951188University at Buffalo (Jacobs)NY3.703.6451089Rush Medical CollegeIL3.723.6651090Oakland University (Beaumont)MI3.893.8351091East Tennessee State (Quillen)TN3.863.8051092University of KansasKS3.843.7850993Oregon Health & Science UniversityOR3.663.6050994University of Alabama at BirminghamAL3.873.8150995University of Missouri (Columbia)MO3.833.7750996University of Nevada, RenoNV3.763.7050997University of KentuckyKY3.843.7850898Wayne State UniversityMI3.783.71*50899University of LouisvilleKY3.783.72507100University of MississippiMS3.803.74506

Verified school-reported science GPA. All other science GPA figures are estimates (overall GPA minus 0.06). Overall GPA and MCAT figures reflect 2025-2026 matriculant data and are subject to change as schools update their class profiles. Verify against each school’s admissions page and the AAMC MSAR before finalizing your list.

A few patterns worth naming. The MCAT compresses hard at the top: nearly every school in the top 15 reports an average MCAT of 519 or higher, and the difference between a “rank 3” and a “rank 9” program is statistical noise. GPA varies more than MCAT across this list, which tells you that the highest-stat schools differentiate candidates on the test more than on grades once you clear their GPA floor. And public schools (Washington, Colorado, the Texas systems) often post lower averages than their reputation suggests, usually because of in-state admissions mandates rather than lower selectivity.

What Is A Good MCAT Score?

A good MCAT score is one that clears the bar at your target schools. There is no single magic number, but the percentile rank tells you where you stand against other test takers, and the tiers below translate scores into competitiveness.

Total MCAT Score RangeWhat It Means520-528Very high. Top 1-2% of test takers. Competitive everywhere on stats alone.515-519Strong. Competitive for most MD programs, including many top 50 schools.510-514Good. Solid for a wide range of MD programs, but school selection matters.505-509Borderline for MD. Workable with a high GPA and strong application.Below 505Low for MD. Consider retaking or looking hard at DO programs.

The total MCAT score range runs from 472 to 528. The highest MCAT score is 528, earned by scoring the maximum 132 on each of the four sections, and only about 0.1% of test takers hit it. Scores of 520 or above land roughly 2% of test takers in the very high tier.

Here is the part most lists leave out: a good MCAT score depends on your GPA. A 510 paired with a 3.9 GPA, real research experience, and a sharp personal statement reads very differently from a 510 with a 3.4. The MCAT and GPA interact. A strong GPA buys you room on the test, and a high score can partly offset lower grades. Neither one guarantees admission on its own.

Read: What’s a Good MCAT Score? Breakdown by Medical School Tier

How the MCAT is Scored

The Medical College Admission Test has four sections, each scored on a scaled score from 118 to 132 with a midpoint of 125. Your MCAT total score is the sum of the four section scores, which is why the total MCAT score range tops out at 528. These are scaled scores, not raw scores, meaning the AAMC adjusts them for difficulty across test dates so a given scaled score reflects the same ability regardless of which version you took.

Three terms come up constantly:

  • Scaled score – your section score after adjustment for difficulty.
  • MCAT percentiles – how your total score compares to other test takers. The same scaled score maps to a percentile rank that shifts slightly year to year.
  • Total and section scores – committees read both. A balanced 512 (four even sections) can be viewed more favorably than a lopsided 512 with one weak section.

The four sections:

  • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems – Tests the biology and biochemistry of cells and organ systems, plus your ability to apply scientific reasoning to biological systems. Core subjects include cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, human physiology, and foundational biochemistry. Focus your prep on high-yield processes like enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways, and practice interpreting experimental data.
  • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems – Applies physical and chemical principles to the human body. The chemical and physical foundations section pulls from general chemistry, organic chemistry, introductory physics, and biochemistry, with basic algebra and unit conversions. Practice applying equations in biological contexts and watch your units.
  • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior – Covers the interplay of psychology, sociology, and biology in behavior and health. This reflects medicine’s emphasis on holistic patient care and social determinants of health. Use active recall for terminology and focus on research methods and experimental design.
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) – Measures reading comprehension and critical analysis of dense passages from the humanities and social sciences. CARS has no specific content to memorize, which is exactly why it is the hardest section to improve. The reasoning skills it tests map directly onto clinical reasoning and patient communication. Practice with unfamiliar texts daily, focus on the author’s argument and purpose, and never bring in outside knowledge.

Read: MCAT Scores: Percentiles, Averages, and What’s Considered Good

How MCAT Scores Fit Into The Medical School Admissions Process

MCAT scores are a key filter, but they are one input among many. Admissions committees use the score as a benchmark, then weigh it against the rest of your application. The other factors that shape an admissions decision include:

  • Overall GPA and science GPA (committees scrutinize the science GPA most)
  • Research experience
  • Clinical experience and clinical hours, including shadowing
  • Leadership, community involvement, and volunteer work
  • Personal statement and secondary essays
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Interview performance

A high score earns interview invitations. It does not earn acceptance by itself. As medical school applicants on admissions forums put it bluntly, a 528 means little if your personal statement is weak or you have no research, and a 520 will not save an application that is thin everywhere else. Use your MCAT score as a strength to build on, not a substitute for the rest of the file.

Average MCAT vs. median MCAT: what the difference tells you

Schools report stats differently, and the distinction matters when you compare yourself to a class. Average scores reflect the arithmetic average across all accepted applicants, so a few very high or very low outliers pull the number. The median MCAT score is the midpoint, where half the class scored above and half below. When a school reports a median, you know exactly where the middle of the class sits. When it reports a mean, outliers may be skewing it. This is also why a school’s website number can differ from its MSAR figure: many schools report mean GPA and MCAT on their sites, while MSAR defaults to medians, and the two are pulled at different times of year.

Do minimum MCAT scores exist?

Most medical schools do not publish an official minimum MCAT score, but internal screening cutoffs often exist. A 500 may never clear the first screen at a top MD program, while a 510 or higher might be the practical floor just to be considered competitive. Some admissions officers suggest thinking in tiers:

  • Top 20 schools: 518 or higher is often needed
  • Top 50 schools: 512-517 can be competitive
  • Mid-tier MD programs: 505-511 is workable with a strong GPA and extracurricular activities
  • DO programs: more holistic review, sometimes competitive at 500-505

Build Your Target Medical Schools List Around Your Stats

This is where the numbers become a strategy. Your MCAT score should drive how you balance reach schools, target schools, and safer programs. Use the framework below as a starting point, then refine it against the specific averages in the table above.

Your MCATSchool List Strategy520-528Apply broadly to top-tier programs, but lead with a cohesive story. Numbers-only applicants get rejected from these schools constantly.515-519Balance reach schools and target schools. Strengthen essays, interview prep, and research narratives.510-514Be selective. Mix a few top 50 programs with mid-tier MD schools where your stats sit at or above the average. Make the application shine.505-509Focus on DO programs, schools with genuinely holistic admissions, and MD programs with lower MCAT ranges.Below 505Consider retaking. In the meantime, build GPA, show an upward trend, and deepen clinical and research experience.

The mechanics of a good school list: for each program, find its average MCAT and average GPA in the table, then sort schools into three buckets. A reach school is one where your stats fall below the average. A target school is one where you sit right around the average. A safer school is one where you are comfortably above it. A balanced list across all three buckets, weighted toward targets, beats a list stacked with reaches every time. Most successful applicants apply to a range of schools rather than betting everything on a handful of top programs.

How to Improve Your MCAT Score

If your current score does not match your target schools, the path forward is studying smarter, not just longer. Here is what consistently works.

  • Build a personalized study plan – Start with a full-length diagnostic to set your baseline, then build a study calendar that gives more time to your weakest sections while maintaining your strengths. Review the plan every two to three weeks and adjust. Balance content review with question-based practice, and include full-length exams to build endurance and pacing.
  • Use trusted, high-yield resources – Quality beats quantity. Prioritize AAMC official materials, since they mirror the real exam most closely. Supplement with reputable third-party platforms for detailed explanations and CARS practice. Tap study forums and peer schedules for ideas, but adapt them to your own gaps rather than copying someone else’s plan.
  • Master the most-tested concepts – Certain areas carry more weight. For the biological and biochemical foundations, lock in biochemical pathways, physiological systems, and experimental design. For the chemical and physical foundations, sharpen your calculations and connect them to biological systems. For the behavioral section, build a strong command of terms, theories, and research methods. For CARS, practice passage mapping and inference daily. Always ask why, not just what.
  • Simulate test day often – Schedule four to six full-length practice exams under timed, no-distraction conditions that match the real format. Review every exam in full, including lucky guesses and timing issues, not just wrong answers. Familiarity with the testing environment is half the battle on exam day.
  • Get support that matches your goals – Studying for the MCAT can feel isolating. A committed study group keeps you accountable and fills blind spots. For more structured help, an experienced MCAT prep coach can build your roadmap, troubleshoot plateaus, and refine your strategy, which is especially valuable if you are aiming for a top score or recovering from a low one.

Read: The Best 50+ Free Resources for the MCAT

The Bottom Line

The MCAT is one of the most important pieces of your medical school application, and a strong score meaningfully improves your odds at top programs. National matriculant averages now sit at 3.81 GPA, 3.75 science GPA, and 512.1 MCAT, with a median GPA close to 3.87, and the most competitive schools push well above that. But the numbers are a foundation, not the whole building. A high GPA and a good MCAT open doors that your research, clinical hours, personal statement, and interviews have to walk through.

Remember that no single mean score or MCAT section defines you. Different schools weigh the application process differently, and many run a genuinely holistic admissions process that gives real ground to applicants whose stats sit a notch below the average. If your score is close to a program’s average, your file can still compete on everything else. Schools with lower MCAT scores in their class profile are worth a serious look, too, since they often reward mission fit and clinical depth over raw numbers, the same way other schools reward research output.

Build a balanced school list around your real stats, prepare deliberately, and treat every part of the application as a chance to show you are ready to practice medicine. You have instant access to the full top 100 table above, so use it to sort your reaches, targets, and safer options before you commit.

Ready to Boost Your MCAT Score?

If you’re looking to maximize your MCAT score and strengthen your medical school application, consider working with an expert coach. MCAT prep coaches can help you refine your study plan, tackle challenging sections, and develop strategies for effective test-taking. With personalized guidance and proven techniques, you’ll be better equipped to achieve your target score and increase your chances of admission to your dream medical school. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward your medical career! You can also read real student reviews or join a free MCAT strategy event for more insights.

See: Top 6 MCAT Tutors

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FAQs

What is the highest MCAT score?

  • The highest total MCAT score is 528, which requires a perfect 132 on each of the four sections. Only about 0.1% of test takers achieve it.

What is the minimum MCAT score for medical school?

  • There is rarely a published minimum, but most medical schools unofficially expect at least a 500, and competitive MD applicants typically need 510 or higher. Minimum score expectations vary widely by school.

Is a 510 a good MCAT score?

  • Yes. A 510 is a good MCAT score and competitive for many medical schools, especially when paired with a strong GPA and a well-rounded application.

What is the average MCAT score for accepted students?

  • The average MCAT score for matriculants across U.S. MD programs is about 512.1, according to AAMC data for the 2025-2026 cycle. The average for all applicants is roughly 506.

How many test takers score above 520?

  • Only about 2% of test takers earn a 520 or higher, which places them among the highest scorers nationally.

What GPA do you need for medical school?

  • A good total GPA is around 3.81 or higher, matching the national matriculant average. Your science GPA matters most, and the national matriculant science GPA is about 3.75.