New AAMC Data on Medical School Applicants and Enrollment in 2024

The number of first-year enrollees (matriculants) in U.S. MD-granting medical schools rose 0.8% in the 2024-25 academic year. Matriculants from groups historically underrepresented in medicine (American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*) declined, most by a percent change in the double digits, according to data released today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). 

The total number of medical school applicants declined 1.2%, to the lowest level since 2017-18. This was the third year in a row of declines. However, 74.3% of all medical school applicants were first-time applicants, who increased by 2.3%.

“We are encouraged by the increase in first-time applicants to medical school. 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. Evidence shows that a more varied workforce can improve access to health care and the health of our communities,” said David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO.

Diversity of applicants and enrollees

Highlights from 2024 data on the diversity of medical school applicants and enrollees include:

Race and ethnicity:

• In 2024-25, there were gains in applicants among two groups historically underrepresented in medicine: Black or African American (up 2.8%), and Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin (up 2.2%). However, there was a significant decrease in American Indian or Alaska Native applicants, down 15.4%.
• Matriculants from all groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine declined compared to 2023 data, most by a percent change in the double digits.
  • Black or African American matriculants declined 11.6%, the third year in a row of declines. Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin matriculants fell 10.8%.
    • Black and Hispanic matriculant numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels.
  • American Indian or Alaska Native matriculants declined 22.1%. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander matriculants declined 4.3%.
• Total medical school enrollment is more racially and ethnically diverse since 2017-18:
  • The proportion of Black or African American students rose from 7.9% to 10.3%.
  • The proportion of Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin students rose from 9.9% to 12.3%.

Gender:

• For the sixth year in a row, women made up the majority of applicants, matriculants, and total enrollment.
  • In 2024-25, women comprised 56.8% of applicants, 55.1% of matriculants, and 54.9% of total enrollment. 
  • Women matriculants rose 0.2%, representing the smallest increase since 2010-11. 
• Among men, there was a 1.0% increase in the number of matriculants in 2024-25. This is the third year in a row that the number of men matriculants did not decline, following six years of declines (2016-17 to 2021-22). 

Socioeconomic:

• Applicants with a parent whose highest level of education was less than a bachelor’s degree or any degree with an occupation categorized as “service, clerical, skilled, and unskilled” declined 2.2% compared to 2023-24, and the number of matriculants from this group fell 2.1%. It was the third year in a row of declines among both groups.
• The number of first-generation applicants fell 1.6% and the number of matriculants in this group declined 2.3% over 2023.

Additional facts about the 2024-25 entering medical school class:

• 166 matriculants are military veterans, a decline from 171 in 2023.
• As in previous years, medical school matriculants have strong academic credentials, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.86, slightly higher than in previous years.
• Matriculants range in age from 17 to 55 years old (including 2.8% who are over age 30).
• The 2024 entering class demonstrated a strong commitment to service. Matriculants cumulatively performed over 16.4 million community service hours, an average of 709 hours per student.

“In the wake of the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision on the consideration of race in admissions and state-level policies ending funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, medical schools are operating in a new environment,” said David A. Acosta, MD, AAMC chief diversity and inclusion officer. “In order to continue to recruit and matriculate strong classes, it is critical that schools support pathways programs and use effective race-neutral admissions practices and tools, such as holistic review. The AAMC and our member medical schools remain committed to increasing the number of students from historically underrepresented groups.”

View the summary data tables here and the full data tables here.

* Note to editors: 
The race and ethnicity data includes individuals who identified in one or more race/ethnicity categories. For example, “Black or African American” includes individuals who identified only as Black or African American, as well as those who identified as Black or African American and at least one other race/ethnicity category.