The College of Osteopathic Medicine has seen a record number of incoming students hail from the Central Valley. Photo by Ben Hensley

California Health Sciences University (CHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine will enter the fall 2025 semester with a record number of students, with over 630 new and returning medical students heading back to campus this week.

Of the 630 students, 162 are new student doctors beginning their first year of medical school.

Nearly half (44%) are from the Central Valley — the highest percent to date — with approximately 90% residing in California. CHSU hopes its medical students will complete residencies and continue to practice locally.

“It is exciting to have a record 44% Central Valley students in this cohort, with Fresno State alum topping the list,” said John Graneto, DO, Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Along with Fresno State, students completed their undergraduate work at many other feeder schools including UC Merced, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UCLA and USC.

Around 60% of CHSU master’s program students are currently enrolled in its medical school.

With more than 3,300 applicants and several hundred interviews, admissions officers carefully selected candidates after reviewing MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), scores, GPA tendencies, letters of recommendation, personal statements, interviews, pre-requisite courses and other factors.

The university achieved 100% residency match rates for its first two cohorts in 2024 and 2025; 60% of 2025’s 109 graduates will complete their residencies in primary care, with 23% remaining in the Central Valley, and 71% remaining in California.

“Seeing our mission in action with Central Valley students attending medical school here, completing local residencies, and then helping educate future physicians at CHSU is a full circle moment that will help secure better access to healthcare for generations,” Graneto said.