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By: Amy Charles | April 9, 2026
The University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) has earned national recognition from the U.S. News & World Report in its 2026 rankings of the best medical schools in the United States. This acknowledgment underscores KYCOM’s mission to prepare highly skilled osteopathic physicians and expand access to care in underserved and rural communities.
KYCOM’s achievements were highlighted across several key categories, ranking No. 6 in the nation for the number of graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 7 for the number of graduates practicing in primary care. These distinctions emphasize KYCOM’s focus on addressing the growing demand for primary care providers while helping reduce healthcare shortages in rural regions.
In addition, U.S. News & World Report placed medical schools into four tiers based on primary care performance. KYCOM earned a spot in Tier 2, positioning the college among the nation’s leading institutions focused on training physicians who deliver comprehensive, community-focused care.
“This recognition from U.S. News & World Report highlights the strength of our programs and the dedication of our faculty and students,” said Joe Kingery, D.O., MBA, FACOFP, FAAFP, dean of KYCOM. “Being recognized as a Tier 2 school for primary care among both M.D. and D.O. programs speaks to the progress we have made in becoming a nationally respected leader in primary care education. For 30 years, KYCOM has worked to address physician shortages in Kentucky and beyond, and we remain focused on preparing doctors who will make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.”
KYCOM remains dedicated to graduating physicians who are passionate about improving health outcomes in rural and underserved regions, where their impact can be profound.
To compile the rankings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed 203 fully accredited medical schools and calculated scores based on each institution’s percentile performance among all rated schools.
For more information about KYCOM and its programs, visit www.upike.edu.