Tarleton State University
Advancing Rural Healthcare Through a New College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Challenge
Tarleton State University sought to determine the feasibility of establishing a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) in Stephenville, Texas, to address the state’s growing demand for physicians—particularly in rural and underserved areas. The university required an independent analysis to assess the financial, educational, and economic implications of launching a new medical program that could strengthen both healthcare access and regional development.
How We Helped
Tripp Umbach conducted a formal feasibility study that included comprehensive data analysis, financial modeling, and economic impact projections. The study evaluated physician workforce trends, community health needs, and stakeholder readiness, offering a clear picture of how a rural-focused medical school could serve Texas’s long-term healthcare priorities. The report also provided a collaborative framework for engaging healthcare facilities, higher education institutions, and policymakers to ensure shared investment and support.
The study confirmed Tarleton State’s capacity to establish a College of Osteopathic Medicine that would educate up to 150 students per class, generate significant economic growth, and improve healthcare access statewide. By 2040, the program is projected to add approximately 360 new physicians to the Texas workforce, create nearly $1 billion in economic impact, and deliver $259.2 million in healthcare cost savings. Together, these outcomes position Tarleton State as a future leader in rural medical education and a catalyst for sustainable healthcare advancement across Texas.