Pursuing a medical degree is one of the biggest financial commitments a person can make. Tuition is generally quite expensive per year, and the sheer number of years spent in school results in a large expense. Graduates don’t usually start earning a high salary until after residency. When you include living expenses, books and materials, exam fees, student loan interest, and other costs, the total price of attendance can easily surpass six figures. Being realistic about the costs of medical school is an important part of planning for a career in medicine.
How Much Is Medical School in the US
Most people only consider the cost of tuition when they think of obtaining an MD or DO. But the full cost of attendance includes many other factors. Medical schools often publish an official “cost of attendance” (COA) budget each year so students can plan ahead. Financial aid also uses this figure to determine how much aid, grants, and loans a student can receive.
Beyond tuition and mandatory school fees (such as technology and lab fees), the typical COA budget includes:
- Housing and utilities
- Food and groceries
- Transportation (gas, parking, transit passes)
- Health insurance
- Books, equipment, and supplies
- Exam and application costs (MCAT, USMLE, residency applications, etc)
- Personal and miscellaneous expenses
These non-tuition costs often add $30,000 to $50,000 per year on top of tuition, depending on the school’s location and the student’s lifestyle.
How much is med school? Here are the tuition costs at some of the top medical colleges and in the United States. With the exception of the Grossman School of Medicine in New York, which is mostly funded by philanthropic individuals aiming to reduce crushing student loan debt for doctors, you can see that tuition is extremely high. Remember that these figures don’t include any other costs listed above. Most programs are four years in length.
| Institution | Tuition Cost per Year (In state) | Tuition Cost After 4 Years (In state) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School — Boston, MA | $76,421 | $305,684 |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine — Baltimore, MD | $68,878 | $275,512 |
| NYU Grossman School of Medicine — New York, NY | $4,350 | $17,400 |
| Stanford University School of Medicine — Stanford, CA | $70,915 | $283,660 |
| University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine — Philadelphia, PA | $77,491 | $309,964 |
| Duke University School of Medicine — Durham, NC | $74,690 | $298,760 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, NY | $75,953 | $303,812 |
| Yale School of Medicine — New Haven, CT | $75,990 | $303,960 |
| UCSF School of Medicine — San Francisco, CA | $42,540 | $170,160 |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine — Nashville, TN | $72,803 | $291,212 |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, TX | $25,122 | $100,488 |
| Texas A&M University's Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine — Bryan, TX | $22,998 | $91,992 |
| University of Florida College of Medicine — Gainesville, FL | $36,657 | $146,628 |
| East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine — Johnson City, TN | $38,810 | $155,240 |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (OH) — Cincinnati, OH | $35,948 | $143,792 |
Note that private schools often charge the same rate for all students, regardless of residency. Public schools often give large discounts to in-state students, while out-of-state students may pay rates closer to private-school levels. Many schools also offer generous financial aid packages that bring the final cost to the student way down.
What Do Students Actually Pay
Very few students pay the full “sticker price” of University tuition out of pocket. Many also get assistance for additional fees, housing, and other living expenses, too. The vast majority of students rely on a combination of:
- Scholarships and grants from the institution
- Scholarships and grants from public and private organizations
- Federal and private student loans
- Family contributions
- Service-based scholarships (military, NHSC, etc.)
According to AAMC
The majority of graduates (about 75%) leave school with debt. It’s important to try to secure as much funding as you can (especially scholarships and grants) to reduce your student debt.
Each university may have different policies for need-based aid, and many can be quite generous for students whose families make under a certain amount of money per year. Talk with the admissions and financial aid teams at your target school to learn which institution can give you the most help and provide the most affordable education.
What Is Included in the Cost of Medical School
In any degree program, students and their families need to anticipate the full cost of attendance. Most only look at the tuition, but there are many other factors to consider as well. Students should do their best to learn how to manage their budget and purchasing habits to be as sustainable as possible within their budgets.
Tuition and Mandatory School Fees
As you can see from the information above, tuition is the single largest expense for med school students. Included in tuition for many institutions is health insurance, which usually costs around $2,500 to $5,000 per year.
For 2025-2026, average cost of medical school tuition and fees (including health insurance) were:
- Public school, in-state: $43,000
- Public school, out-of-state: $68,000
- Private school: $68,000
When pondering how much does med school cost, remember that most schools charge additional mandatory fees for technology, student services, labs, clinical training, uniforms, and other equipment. These costs vary per school, but expect to pay at least $3,000 per year on average.
Some institutions offer accelerated, 3-year courses. If possible, taking one of these courses can usually save a lot of money, though they may be more rigorous. Other institutions offer 5-year courses with heavy research emphasis, adding to the overall cost but providing more experience and after-graduation pathways.
Living Expenses
Where you live while studying medicine has a huge impact on your total cost. Each university estimates housing, food, and utilities based on local rent and cost-of-living figures. Typical annual living expense estimates are:
- Lower-cost cities (Midwest, smaller metros): $15,000-$22,000
- Mid-cost cities (Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc.): $20,000-$28,000
- High-cost cities (Boston, New York, San Francisco, etc.): $28,000-$40,000+
Housing alone can account for $900-$1,500 per month on average in cheaper areas, and $2,200-$3,500 per month in expensive cities and states like California. If staying at home is an option, it can be a good idea to explore the possibility. Having a plan for personal expenses, groceries and eating out, and other daily costs is important to avoid overspending in the name of convenience or lifestyle.
Books, Equipment, and Supplies
First-year students usually spend more on supplies that they’ll use for the rest of their academic career. Common purchases include:
🩺 Anatomy lab materials and dissection kits
🩺 Stethoscope, reflex hammer, and other diagnostic tools
🩺 Scrubs and lab coats
🩺 Digital learning platforms and question banks
🩺 USMLE or COMLEX prep resources
Expect to spend about $2000-$3000 on supplies in the first year, and about $500-$1000 per year afterwards. Each school should provide an estimate to prospective students.
Exam and Application-Related Costs
There are many different exams and applications for medical students over the course of their education. First, the cost of applying for medical school immediately adds to the running total. Then, various education stages require even more expenses. Throughout these four years, students can plan to spend on:
- MCAT: $335
- AMCAS application: $180 for the first school, then $48 for each additional school
- Secondary applications: $75-$150 per school
- Residency application (ERAS) and interview travel: $1,000-$1,500 depending on the specialty and number of programs applied to
Many students apply to 15-25 medical schools, sometimes over years, to secure a place. Application costs alone can reach thousands of dollars. Students can seek fee assistance programs and grants for applications through the institutions themselves or other organizations.
Remember that you also need to pay for an undergraduate degree and costs during residency, as well as any prep courses for standardized tests. While students do begin to earn, rather than pay, in residency and fellowship, there are still many costs associated with the job.
How to Pay for Medical School
Medical school cost can be crushing, especially if paid outright. Most students obtain scholarships, grants, and other financial aid to make attendance possible. It can be a lot of work to earn the grades, find grant programs, and send applications, but the effort is worth it if it saves you from taking out more student loans.
Scholarships and Grants
This type of financial aid doesn’t need to be repaid. They’re the best type of financial aid, and you should seek out as many of them as you can. They usually come from the medical school itself, private foundations, professional organizations, state programs, and service-based programs.
They can be awarded based on merit or need, and typically require some kind of application. Others are awarded to those who served in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) or military.
Student Loans
Federal loans provided through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are extremely common. This is the scheme most students in any program use to fund their studies.
Students can usually get subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Recent changes to allowances for medical school students mean there may be fewer federal-based options for loans. For example, Grad PLUS Loans are no longer available as of July 2026. Check with the institution and other official resources to learn more about which options are available to you. Try to borrow as little as possible, since interest can start accruing immediately (for certain loan types).
Other Financial Options
There are several other common strategies for medical students to reduce their financial burden. Research each option carefully to understand if it’s a viable option for you.
Federal loan payments are based on your income and family size. Apply for this option to keep payments manageable, especially during residency.
Physicians working at qualifying nonprofit hospitals or academic centers can have their remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments (be sure never to miss an installment!)
Some states and health systems offer loan repayment assistance, especially for physicians who work in rural or underserved areas.
Choosing a lower-cost school, living with housemates or roommates, cooking at home, and limiting personal spending can reduce your costs.
Medical school is undoubtedly expensive. However, many physicians say they are undoubtedly happy with their careers, despite the burden. Whether it’s worth it to you to take on the debt depends on your future plans, lifestyle, and level of commitment.
References
- Asaad, Malke. “14 Top Medical Schools in the United States (2026).” The Match Guy - Best Residency Guidance, 18 May 2026, thematchguy.com/top-medical-schools-in-the-us-2026. Accessed 3 Sept. 2026.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. MSAR Tuition, Fees and Insurance Information. 2027, students-residents.aamc.org/system/files/2026-04/MSAR015%20-%20MSAR%20Tuition%2CFees%20and%20Insurance%20Information.pdf. Accessed 3 Sept. 2026.
- “Student Debt: Ensuring Medical School Remains Affordable | Students and Residents.” Students & Residents, students-residents.aamc.org/advocacy/student-debt-ensuring-medical-school-remains-affordable. Accessed 3 Sept. 2026.
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