AZCOM Marks Milestone Match Day with Record 98.7% Placement Rate

208 Class of 2026 students match into residency programs, reinforcing the growing impact of D.O.s on the U.S. healthcare system

  • AZ - Glendale
AZCOM Class of 2026 students show off their Match Day results on March 20, 2026.

On the morning of March 20th, 208 students from Âé¶¹Porn’s Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) joined thousands of their peers nationwide in the annual rite of passage known as Match Day. This year, however, the celebration carried extra weight: AZCOM celebrated its largest-ever residency match with a record 98.7% match rate.

A National Milestone

The success at the Glendale Campus comes during a historic year for osteopathic medical education. Nationally, , the highest in the profession's history.

As the U.S. faces , D.O.s are increasingly filling the gap. AZCOM’s record-breaking match comes at a critical juncture. AACOM’s reveals that D.O.s now comprise 11% of all U.S. physicians, with a majority (56%) dedicated to primary care - the very sector facing the most acute shortages. By placing 98.7% of its graduates, AZCOM helping expand a workforce that is younger, more diverse, and more likely to serve in the rural and underserved areas that need them most.

Local Impact and Service

Residencies by state: WA-4, OR-3, CA-34, ID-1, NV-4, UT-2, AZ-64, CO-4, NM-1, KS-1, OK-1, TX-11, SD-2, MO-2, IL-11, WI-4, MI-11, IN-1, OH-12, NY-4, PA-5, VA-2, TN-1, VA-2, NC-4, SC-2, GA-2, AL-1 and FL-6.

While AZCOM graduates are heading to top-tier programs across the country, a substantial portion of the class is staying close to home. Sixty-seven graduates (32%) matched with Arizona-based residency programs, directly addressing the state's critical need for healthcare professionals. This also bodes well for the future of Arizona healthcare, as historically over 40% of all MWU alumni remain in Arizona to practice.

The Class of 2026 also broke new ground with the first-ever AZCOM student matching to a Canadian residency program. Additionally, 14 students will begin their post-graduate training in military residencies, continuing the University’s long-standing tradition of preparing healthcare leaders for the armed forces.

AZCOM Matches by the Numbers

  • Total matched students: 208 (98.7% placement)
  • Arizona matches: 67
  • Students remaining in Arizona: 31%
  • Top specialties: Internal Medicine (66), Family Medicine (38), Emergency Medicine (26)
  • Military matches: 14
  • Top states: Arizona (67), California (44), Illinois (18), Pennsylvania (10), Florida (9), Michigan (9)

The D.O. Impact

  • The Primary Care Powerhouse: 56% of D.O. alumni practice in primary care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics). An additional 25% practice in "peri-primary care" - specialties like OB/GYN and Psychiatry that directly support the primary care infrastructure.
  • Filling the "Health Deserts": While the national average for all physicians practicing in rural areas is roughly 10%, D.O.s consistently outperform this metric, with 12% of D.O. graduates serving in rural areas, while 16% practice in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs).
  • Positive Demographics: 70% of D.O.s in active practice are now under the age of 45, making them the fastest-growing segment of the physician workforce. Women now make up more than 55% of all osteopathic medical students.

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