Top 10 Podiatry Schools

Direct Answer

The Best Overall podiatry school for 2027 is the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) in Philadelphia, the largest and one of the oldest DPM programs in the country, with a deep clinical network across the region and first-time APMLE Part I pass rates that routinely top the national average.

The Best Value pick is Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) — the former Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine — which delivers a respected, fully accredited DPM at public-university tuition well below the private-school average, the best outcomes-per-dollar in the field.

This list is built for pre-health students and career-changers choosing among the nine accredited Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) programs in the United States, and it covers every CPME-accredited school nationwide. Picks use real, publicly reported tuition, enrollment, and accreditation data from each college and the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM).

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each podiatry school against the priorities applicants and current students consistently flag: board performance, residency placement, cost, faculty and facilities, location, and program fit. We leaned on published figures from the AACPM, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), each school's own disclosures, and the APMLE board statistics.

The weighting:

• APMLE board pass rates and academic performance — 25%
• Residency placement and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost — 15%
• Faculty, clinics, and resources — 15%
• Environment, location, and safety — 15%
• Program fit and student support — 10%

A school that posts strong board scores but offers thin clinical exposure, or charges luxury tuition for average placement, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Private (within a public-research university) | Tuition: ~$48,000/yr | Best for: Students who want the largest clinical network and a big-city teaching hospital

Located in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, TUSPM traces its roots to 1915 and is the largest of the nine DPM programs, with roughly 140–150 students per class and a total enrollment near 560. Students train at the school's own Foot and Ankle Institute, one of the busiest podiatric clinics in the nation, plus a wide rotation network through Temple University Hospital and regional partners.

First-time APMLE Part I pass rates consistently sit at or above the national average, and graduates match into competitive three-year surgical residencies across the country. The integration with a full academic medical center gives students early, heavy patient volume that smaller programs can struggle to match.

Pros:

• Largest DPM program with the deepest clinical case volume
• On-site Foot and Ankle Institute for hands-on training from year one
• Strong, consistent APMLE Part I first-time pass rates
• Full academic-medical-center rotations through Temple Health

Cons:

• Private-school tuition near $48,000/yr is among the higher figures
• Urban North Philadelphia campus demands street-smart living

Verdict: Temple wins on clinical depth, scale, and board performance — the most complete DPM training in the country.

2. Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

Type: Private (graduate-only health-sciences university) | Tuition: ~$42,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a modern campus and a tight, interprofessional cohort

Des Moines University (DMU) in West Des Moines, Iowa, opened a brand-new $260 million health-sciences campus in 2023, giving podiatry students some of the newest simulation and anatomy facilities in the field. Class sizes run smaller — roughly 40–55 students per cohort — which means a lower student-faculty ratio and close mentorship.

Because DMU also trains DOs, PAs, and physical therapists, podiatry students learn alongside other future clinicians, mirroring real hospital teams. APMLE pass rates run strong, and the Midwest cost of living keeps total debt more manageable than coastal options.

Pros:

• Brand-new 2023 health-sciences campus with top simulation labs
• Small cohorts and a low student-faculty ratio
• Interprofessional training with DO, PA, and PT students
• Lower Midwest cost of living reduces total debt

Cons:

• Smaller local clinical population than big-city programs
• Iowa location may not suit students wanting a coastal hub

Verdict: A standout for facilities and mentorship — ideal if you value a new campus and a close-knit class.

3. Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public (college of a public university) | Tuition: ~$36,000/yr (out-of-state); lower for Ohio residents | Best for: Students who want a respected DPM at the lowest real cost

Based in Independence, Ohio, near Cleveland, KSUCPM is the former Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, absorbed by Kent State in 2012 and now the only podiatry college housed within a public university. That public affiliation is the value story: tuition runs well below the private-school norm, and Ohio residents pay materially less still, producing the best outcomes-per-dollar in podiatric education.

Class sizes hover around 70–90 students. The Cleveland medical corridor — home to the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals — gives students access to high-volume rotations, and APMLE pass rates track the national average.

Pros:

• Public-university tuition far below the private average
• Even lower cost for Ohio residents
• Cleveland medical corridor offers high-volume rotations
• Backed by Kent State's full university resources and aid

Cons:

• Independence/Cleveland winters are long and cold
• Class is larger than the small private cohorts

Verdict: The clear value champion — a fully accredited DPM with the strongest cost-to-outcome ratio in the field.

4. New York College of Podiatric Medicine

Type: Private (free-standing podiatric college) | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr | Best for: Students who want Manhattan-scale patient volume

NYCPM, founded in 1911, sits in East Harlem, Manhattan, making it the only DPM program in New York City. Its in-house clinic, the Foot Center of New York, is among the highest-volume podiatric clinics in the country, treating tens of thousands of patient visits a year and exposing students to a diverse, complex caseload early.

Class sizes run roughly 90–110. The dense urban setting means students rotate through major New York hospital systems, and the sheer patient throughput builds clinical confidence fast. APMLE results are competitive and NYC residency connections are strong.

Pros:

• Foot Center of New York delivers exceptional patient volume
• Only DPM program in New York City
• Diverse, complex caseload builds skills quickly
• Strong residency pipeline into NYC hospital systems

Cons:

• New York City cost of living is steep on top of tuition
• East Harlem campus is compact with limited green space

Verdict: Unmatched patient volume in a major city — pick it for raw clinical reps and NYC connections.

5. Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine

Type: Private (Catholic university) | Tuition: ~$44,000/yr | Best for: Students who want year-round clinical training in a warm climate

Barry University's podiatry school sits in Miami Shores, Florida, the only DPM program in the Southeast. Florida's large retiree population means a steady stream of diabetic-foot, wound-care, and geriatric cases — exactly the pathology podiatrists treat most. Barry partners with numerous South Florida hospitals and the Miami VA, giving students surgical and clinical breadth.

Class sizes run roughly 80–100, and the Catholic university setting adds robust student-support services. The warm climate and active outdoor lifestyle are a real quality-of-life draw over four demanding years.

Pros:

• Heavy diabetic-foot and wound-care caseload from Florida demographics
• Strong South Florida hospital and VA rotation network
• Only DPM program in the Southeast U.S.
• Warm climate and strong student-support services

Cons:

• Miami-area housing costs have climbed sharply
• Summer heat and hurricane season are real factors

Verdict: A clinical-volume winner with a quality-of-life edge — strong for students drawn to wound care and the Southeast.

6. Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine

Type: Private (graduate health-sciences university) | Tuition: ~$49,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a true interprofessional health-sciences campus

Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) in Pomona, California, runs its College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) alongside colleges of osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and nursing — one of the most genuinely interprofessional campuses in U.S. Health education.

Podiatry students share the first-year basic-science curriculum with other clinical programs, then move into focused podiatric coursework and Southern California rotations. Class sizes run roughly 60–80. The Los Angeles-area location offers a deep hospital network and a large, diverse patient base, though California's cost of living and tuition land on the higher end.

Pros:

• One of the most interprofessional health-sciences campuses nationwide
• Shared basic-science curriculum with DO, pharmacy, and dental students
• Deep Southern California hospital rotation network
• Large, diverse Los Angeles-area patient base

Cons:

• Among the highest tuition on this list at ~$49,000/yr
• Southern California cost of living adds significant debt

Verdict: The interprofessional pick — best for students who want to train shoulder-to-shoulder with other future clinicians.

7. Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University

Type: Private (health-sciences university) | Tuition: ~$47,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a research-active, team-based medical-science campus

The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science sits in North Chicago, Illinois, on a campus built around interprofessional, evidence-based training.

Scholl carries one of the most recognizable names in podiatry and emphasizes biomechanics and research, with faculty active in foot-and-ankle science. Students share early coursework with the university's medical, PA, and pharmacy programs, then rotate through the Chicago-area hospital network, including the nearby **Captain James A.

Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Class sizes run roughly 70–90, and APMLE performance is solid**.

Pros:

• Iconic Scholl name with deep biomechanics and research focus
• Interprofessional, evidence-based curriculum
• Chicago-area rotations including a major federal health center
• Strong faculty engagement in foot-and-ankle science

Cons:

• Chicago-area winters and commuting can be tough
• Private tuition near $47,000/yr is on the higher side

Verdict: The research-minded choice — strong for students who want biomechanics depth and a recognizable pedigree.

8. California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University

Type: Private (health-sciences university) | Tuition: ~$50,000/yr | Best for: Bay Area students who want small classes and high-tech facilities

The California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) at Samuel Merritt University sits in Oakland, California, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. CSPM keeps cohorts small — often around 40–55 students — supporting close faculty mentorship and individualized attention.

Samuel Merritt is a health-sciences-focused university with modern simulation labs, and the Bay Area's dense hospital network, including partners across Oakland and San Francisco, supplies a rich, diverse caseload. The trade-off is cost: Bay Area tuition and living expenses are the steepest on this list.

Pros:

• Small cohorts with strong faculty mentorship
• Modern simulation and health-sciences facilities
• Dense Bay Area hospital and clinical network
• Diverse, high-acuity patient population

Cons:

• Highest combined tuition and cost of living on the list
• Bay Area housing is a major financial strain

Verdict: The small-class Bay Area pick — excellent training if you can absorb the highest cost of attendance.

9. Midwestern University Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine

Type: Private (graduate health-sciences university) | Tuition: ~$48,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a sprawling modern campus in the Sun Belt

Midwestern University's Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM) sits in Glendale, Arizona, on a large, modern health-sciences campus shared with osteopathic medicine, dental, pharmacy, and other programs. The Phoenix-metro setting offers a growing population, a strong hospital network, and a high diabetic-foot caseload that mirrors real podiatric practice.

Class sizes run roughly 70–90. Midwestern invests heavily in facilities — anatomy, simulation, and a multispecialty clinic — and the year-round warm climate is a lifestyle draw. APMLE pass rates are competitive with the national field.

Pros:

• Large, modern multidisciplinary health-sciences campus
• Growing Phoenix-metro patient base with high diabetic-foot volume
• Heavy investment in simulation and clinic facilities
• Year-round warm climate and outdoor lifestyle

Cons:

• Glendale summer heat is extreme
• Private tuition near $48,000/yr is on the higher end

Verdict: A facilities-rich Sun Belt option — strong for students who want a modern campus and warm-weather living.

10. Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine — Surgical Track

Type: Private (within a public-research university) | Tuition: ~$48,000/yr | Best for: Students set on a surgically intensive, hospital-based path

Rounding out the list is Temple's surgically focused training track, worth a separate mention for students whose end goal is a competitive three-year reconstructive foot-and-ankle surgery residency. The same Philadelphia academic-medical-center setting that anchors the school's top ranking also gives surgically minded students extraordinary operating-room exposure through Temple University Hospital and its trauma volume.

Students log early, high-acuity surgical cases and benefit from faculty who are active reconstructive and trauma surgeons. For applicants certain they want the operating room, this hospital-embedded pathway is hard to beat.

Pros:

• Exceptional operating-room and trauma exposure
• Faculty active in reconstructive foot-and-ankle surgery
• Hospital-embedded training through Temple University Hospital
• Strong match record into surgical residencies

Cons:

• Surgical intensity is demanding and competitive
• Same higher private tuition and urban setting as the main program

Verdict: The surgery-focused path — pick it if a reconstructive foot-and-ankle career is your firm goal.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Podiatry School

• CPME accreditation — Every legitimate DPM program is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education; confirm current accreditation status before applying anywhere.
• APMLE board pass rates — Compare each school's first-time APMLE Part I and Part II pass rates against the national average; consistent performance signals strong teaching.
• Residency placement — Because a three-year residency is required to practice, ask each school for its recent match and placement data, not just board scores.
• Clinical volume and rotations — A school with a busy in-house clinic and a deep hospital network gives you more hands-on reps; patient volume matters more than glossy brochures.
• Total cost of attendance — Look past sticker tuition to living costs and resident vs non-resident rates; public-affiliated Kent State and Midwest programs lower total debt.
• Location and fit — Climate, city size, and campus culture shape four hard years; visit if you can and weigh quality of life honestly.

What matters less than marketing implies: ranking-list bragging, building age alone, and which campus has the flashiest atrium. Board pass rates, residency placement, clinical volume, and total debt affect your career and wallet far more than amenities.

FAQ

How many podiatry schools are there in the United States? There are nine CPME-accredited Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) programs in the U.S.; this list highlights ten entries by separating Temple's surgically focused training track for students set on a surgical career.

Which podiatry school is the best overall? Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine earns our top spot for its largest enrollment, on-site high-volume clinic, academic-medical-center rotations, and consistently strong APMLE pass rates.

What is the most affordable podiatry school? Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine — the former Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine — is the best value as the only DPM program inside a public university, with tuition well below the private average and even lower rates for Ohio residents.

Do I need a residency after podiatry school? Yes. Graduates must complete a three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency (PMSR) to become licensed and practice, which is why residency placement data is so important when choosing a school.

How long does it take to become a podiatrist? A DPM degree takes four years, followed by a three-year residency, so most podiatrists complete about seven years of training after a bachelor's degree.

What test do podiatry students take for licensure? Podiatry students sit the APMLE (American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination), taken in parts during and after school, which is why first-time pass rates are a core ranking metric.

Bottom Line

For 2027, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine is our Best Overall podiatry school — the largest DPM program, with the deepest clinical network, an on-site high-volume clinic, and board pass rates at or above the national average. Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine is our Best Value, delivering a fully accredited DPM at public-university tuition with even lower rates for Ohio residents.

If your priorities lean toward a new campus, big-city patient volume, a warm climate, or research depth, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Des Moines, NYCPM, Barry, or Scholl instead. Choose on board performance, residency placement, clinical volume, and total cost — not amenities — and you will start your DPM career on solid footing.

Sources

• American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
• Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)
• U.S. News — Education and graduate program guides
• Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
• Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
• Des Moines University — Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM)
• Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
• Western University of Health Sciences — College of Podiatric Medicine
• Rosalind Franklin University — Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine

*Podiatry schools review — best podiatry schools, DPM program rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top podiatry schools for future podiatrists.*