University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Admissions, Tuition & Student Feedback

School Overview

Degrees: MD
Ownership: Public Non-Profit
Program Length: 4 years
Total Enrollment: 117
Founding Year: 1967
Accreditation Year: 1965
Alternative Length: 3 years

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SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $336,515

Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for UA-COM using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.

Cost of Living: Near national average cost of living

Tucson, AZ is close to the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment keeps the $3,000 monthly allowance at about $2,910 per month. Treat this as a city-level budgeting estimate, not the school's official cost of attendance.

Environment: Urban

Although the area around UA-COM relies largely on car travel, a solid bike network makes cycling a practical alternative. Students with bikes will enjoy greater mobility and access to nearby amenities compared to those relying on foot alone.

Interview Feedback

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 23% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.

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Secondary Essays for UA-COM

1. Understanding and Commitment to Medicine

Please share a meaningful experience you have had working or volunteering in the health professional field or a time in your past in which you were responsible for the care and well-being of someone...

2. Personal Experiences and Challenges

Discuss a time in your life in which you have failed at something other than an academic experience. How did you confront the failure and what did you learn from it? Please describe how you typically...

3. Motivation and Fit

The mission of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Office of Admissions is to select a diverse cohort of students who will become the future leaders in advancing health care to the distinct...

4. Community, Diversity, and Equity

Describe the effect that your experiences with engaging diversity have had on your own growth and development. Provide an example and describe how it will impact your career in the medical profession.

5. Motivation and Fit

Share any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider.

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About the School

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, established in 1967, is a public medical school located in Tucson, Arizona. As part of the University of Arizona Health Sciences, it offers a comprehensive medical education and has graduated over 4,500 physicians since its inception. The college is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and is governed by the Arizona Board of Regents.

Curriculum

The college's MD program features a progressive, three-phase curriculum that integrates early clinical training with ongoing basic science education. Students are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease, while also developing skills in problem-solving, research, and professional discourse. The program offers dual-degree options, including MD/PhD, MD/MPH, and MD/MBA, in collaboration with other University of Arizona colleges.

For those interested in Family Medicine and seeking an efficient, mission-driven pathway to clinical practice an accelerated program is offered. Applicants should be motivated to serve underserved communities, rural areas or vulnerable populations in Arizona.

Facilities

The College of Medicine – Tucson is situated within the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. Clinical training is conducted in partnership with institutions such as Banner Health and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, offering students diverse hands-on experiences in various medical settings.

Demographics

The college has a diverse student body, with approximately 2,365 students enrolled, including 1,850 undergraduates and 515 doctoral candidates. The faculty comprises 1,432 academic staff members, supported by 1,000 administrative staff. The college is recognized for its commitment to diversity, ranking #15 among the most diverse medical schools according to U.S. News & World Report.

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2026