The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is pleased to be ranked as the No. 1 medical school in the nation in 2024 for the most graduates practicing in primary care, according to U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News also ranked ACOM No. 13 in the nation among medical schools for graduates practicing in rural areas. These rankings highlight ACOM’s positive impact among a field of 168 medical schools ranked in these areas. This also demonstrates bringing to fruition the vision of the Houston County Health Care Authority.

“We are pleased to be recognized among the nation’s best,” said James C. Jones, DO, FACEP, dean of ACOM. “This recognition is a testament to our students, faculty, and staff and their commitment to fulfilling the mission of ACOM.”

The most recent ACOM graduating class had a 52 percent placement in primary care residency program and we have a 62 percent rate with all graduating classes combined. Overall, more than 99 percent of the class received a residency placement in 21 different specialties, which included orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, urology, and dermatology.

“We are proud that our graduates are competitive across all residency specialties,” said Dr. Jones. “We are committed to providing our graduates with a high-quality osteopathic medical education that puts them in a position to excel in all specialties, and we are pleased that so many of our graduates choose primary care.”

By collecting graduate school data annually, U.S. News is able to present the latest enrollment numbers, job placement rates, faculty statistics and other essential quality indicators that help prospective students make informed decisions.

“Deciding where to attend graduate school can be formidable, considering the wealth of schools with distinctive and quality programs,” said LaMont Jones, EdD, managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “The Best Graduate Schools rankings and related content empower prospective students to choose the best fit for their educational needs and ultimately achieve career success.”