How Many Hospitals, Doctors, and Medical Students Are in the United States (2024–2025)?
How Many Hospitals Are in the United States (2024–2025)?
According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), the United States has approximately 6,093 hospitals in 2025. This includes a broad mix of community, federal, psychiatric, and specialty hospitals.
Breakdown by Hospital Type and Ownership
Community hospitals: 5,112
Nongovernment not-for-profit community hospitals: 2,978
Investor-owned (for-profit) community hospitals: 1,214
State and local government hospitals: 920
Federal government hospitals: 207
Nonfederal psychiatric hospitals: 654
Other hospitals: 120
Key Trends in the U.S. Hospital Sector
- The total number of hospitals has declined over the past decades due to industry consolidation, technological changes, and healthcare system restructuring.
- Most U.S. hospitals are classified as community hospitals, and nearly 84% of all hospitals fall under this category.
- The classification and total count may vary slightly by source depending on definitions, inclusion criteria, and data collection methods.
Read More: https://www.aha.org/statistics/fast-facts-us-hospitals
How Many Doctors Are in the United States? (2025)
As of 2025, the U.S. has approximately 1.1 million active physicians, including primary care providers and specialists across all medical fields.
Physician Distribution
Primary care physicians: ~536,000
Specialists: ~571,000
Geographic and Gender Trends
California leads with ~124,000 active doctors.
New York follows with ~93,000.
Gender distribution:
Male doctors: ~678,000
Female doctors: ~428,000
Projected Physician Shortage
The U.S. is expected to face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2025, driven by:
An aging population
Growing demand for chronic disease management
Retirement of senior physicians
Limited residency positions
How Many Medical Students Are in the U.S.? (2024–2025)
In the 2024–2025 academic year, approximately 99,562 medical students are enrolled across all U.S. MD and DO programs—the highest in U.S. history.
Enrollment Highlights
First-year matriculants: 23,048 (record high)
Total accredited MD programs: ~159
Total accredited DO programs: ~42
Despite the high enrollment:
U.S. medical school applications have declined for the third year.
The number of residency slots remains insufficient compared to graduating students.
MD vs. DO Enrollment in the U.S. (2024–2025)
Total Enrollment
MD students: ~70,000
DO students: ~29,500
DO students now represent 30% of all U.S. medical students, reflecting rapid program growth.
Training Differences
Both MD and DO programs provide full medical training.
DO programs also include Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) as part of the curriculum.
Demographic Differences Between MD and DO Students (2024–2025)
1. Gender Distribution
MD programs: ~53% female
DO programs: ~45% female
2. Age & Background
DO schools admit a higher proportion of nontraditional and second-career students.
MD programs generally enroll younger, traditional applicants.
3. Diversity & Underrepresented Groups
DO schools have seen a 20% increase in underrepresented minority enrollment over five years.
Both MD and DO programs are expanding diversity initiatives, but DO programs emphasize rural and underserved community training.
4. Academic Metrics
Average MCAT:
MD: ~511.8
DO: ~503
Average GPA:
MD: ~3.79
DO: ~3.55
5. Specialty Choices
DO graduates: ~57% enter primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics).
MD graduates: ~36% enter primary care, while many pursue competitive specialties.
Key Statistics Table
| Category | 2024–2025 Figures |
|---|---|
| Total U.S. hospitals | 6,093 |
| Community hospitals | 5,112 |
| Federal hospitals | 207 |
| Active physicians | 1.1 million |
| Primary care physicians | 536,000 |
| Specialist physicians | 571,000 |
| Total medical students | 99,562 |
| MD students | ~70,000 |
| DO students | ~29,500 |
| First-year matriculants | 23,048 |
| DO share of total students | ~30% |
| Female MD students | 53% |
| Female DO students | 45% |
| Average MD MCAT | 511.8 |
| Average DO MCAT | 503 |
| Projected doctor shortage | 124,000 physicians by 2025 |
FAQS
How many hospitals are in the United States in 2025?
There are approximately 6,093 hospitals in the U.S. in 2025, according to the American Hospital Association. Most of these are community hospitals.
How many doctors are currently practicing in the U.S.?
The U.S. has about 1.1 million active physicians, including primary care doctors and specialists.
How many medical students are enrolled in the U.S. for 2024–2025?
Total enrollment is around 99,562 medical students, the highest in U.S. history.
What percentage of medical students are MD vs DO?
About 70% are MD students (~70,000), and 30% are DO students (~29,500).
What are the major demographic differences between MD and DO students?
MD programs enroll more females (53%) and younger students, while DO programs admit more nontraditional students, have greater diversity growth, and send more graduates into primary care.
How many nurses are in the United States in 2025?
There are approximately 5.86 million active nurses, including around 5 million registered nurses and 920,000 practical nurses, with an ongoing national shortage.
How many residency positions were available in Match Day 2025?
About 43,237 residency positions were offered, marking the largest Main Residency Match in history, with a 99.4% fill rate.
What is the average salary of doctors by specialty?
The average annual doctor salary is approximately $374,000, with specialists averaging $404,000 and primary care doctors earning around $287,000. Top earners include neurosurgeons (~$749K), thoracic surgeons (~$690K), and orthopedic surgeons (~$680K).
Which states have the most medical schools?
New York leads with 17 medical schools, followed by California and Pennsylvania with multiple institutions.
How many U.S. hospitals closed in the past decade?
Approximately 136 rural hospitals closed from 2005 to 2023, mainly due to financial challenges.
How many DO schools are opening in the next five years?
Several new osteopathic medical schools are opening, increasing from 38 schools in 2019 to 44 schools in 2025, including expansions in Florida, New York, Colorado, and other states.
What is the average cost of medical school in the U.S.?
The average total cost is around $229,000 (~$59,000 per year), varying by public or private status and residency.
How long does it take to become a doctor?
Typically 11 to 16 years, including 4 years undergraduate, 4 years medical school, and 3 to 8 years residency, depending on specialty.
Which states have the highest doctor shortages?
California, Florida, and Texas have the largest absolute shortages, while Mississippi, New Mexico, and Louisiana have the highest per capita shortages.
What are the trends in physician retirement in the U.S.?
As of 2021, nearly 47% of physicians were 55 or older, with many retiring by age 65. Retirement rates increased post-COVID, especially in primary care and general surgery.