How Much Does It Cost to Attend Medical School?

Medical school is a major financial investment, and the total cost is often higher than students expect. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the median first-year cost of attendance for the 2025–26 academic year is $75,654 at public medical schools and $106,787 at private medical schools for in-state students. Over four years, the median cost of attendance for the graduating class of 2026 is approximately $297,745 at public schools and $408,150 at private schools.

Those totals include more than tuition. Medical students also need to budget for fees, housing, food, transportation, health insurance, books and supplies, licensing exams, and other expenses. How much you ultimately pay depends heavily on where you attend, whether you qualify for in-state tuition, your cost of living, and the scholarships or financial aid you receive.

While the cost of medical school can be significant, it varies widely depending on the school you attend, your residency status, and the financial aid you receive. In this guide, we’ll break down what medical school really costs, key expenses to plan for, and ways to reduce what you pay.

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Main Costs to Consider

The cost to become a doctor isn’t just tuition. Several variables affect your total expenses, and understanding them early can help you plan more effectively:

• Public vs. private schools: For the 2025–26 academic year, the median first-year tuition and fees are $43,648 at public medical schools and $74,661 at private medical schools for in-state students. At public schools, out-of-state students may pay substantially more.
  
• Housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses: Once living expenses and other costs are included, the median first-year cost of attendance rises to $75,654 at public schools and $106,787 at private schools. Your actual expenses can vary considerably depending on the cost of living near your campus.
  
• Books, supplies, additional materials: Educational materials, devices, white coats, and required equipment typically cost about $1,000 to $3,000 per year. Some med students in more specialized settings may see even higher costs.
• USMLE/COMLEX: The USMLE Step exams cost $2,385 for students in medical programs in the U.S. The COMLEX exam series for osteopathic students is $2,400 for all 3 levels, with additional fees if you register less than 30 days before an exam date.
• Health insurance: Most schools require healthcare coverage, which typically costs $2,000 to $4,000 per year if purchased through the institution. Students on family or employer-based plans may pay less or have this cost waived.

A quick note: MD and DO tuition are now similar overall, with both ranging from $35,000 to $80,000+ per year depending on school type and residency status. Differences are usually driven more by institution (public vs. private) than degree type.

Application Fees

Before you even start medical school, the application process itself can cost thousands of dollars. Here’s a realistic breakdown of the cost of applying to medical school:

• Primary application (AMCAS): $180 (first school) + $48 per additional school
• Primary application (AACOMAS): $198 (first school) + $60 per additional school
• Primary application (TMDSAS): $235 flat fee, regardless of how many participating schools you select
• MCAT registration: $355
• Secondary applications: $30-$200 per school
• Casper exam: $85 + additional distribution fees
• Transcripts: $10-$20 per school
• MCAT Prep: $300-$5,000+
• Medical school admissions consulting (optional): $3,000-$10,000+

Most applicants apply to 15-25 schools. That puts baseline medical school application costs around $2,000 to $5,000, and significantly higher if you invest in prep courses or advising. (That investment can significantly improve your chances of acceptance the first time!) Because of these upfront costs, your first year of medical school is often the most expensive.

Ways to Reduce Racking Up Debt

Medical school debt is common, but there are several ways to reduce how much you borrow and how much you ultimately repay. Among 2025 medical school graduates who had education debt, the median debt was $200,000.

That average cost is significantly higher than what many physicians paid in previous decades, but there are also more options than ever to manage and reduce medical school debt. Here are the main ways to reduce what you actually pay:

• Financial aid: You can cut a significant chunk out of the average tuition cost by taking advantage of financial aid options to reduce tuition fees. This may include low-interest federal student loans, private loans, grants, and scholarships.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): You may be eligible to have your remaining federal student loan balance forgiven through PSLF. To qualify, you must make 120 qualifying monthly payments while working at least 30 hours per week for a qualifying employer. Examples include a government organization or a nonprofit medical center.
• HPSAs loan forgiveness: Some loan repayment programs offer financial incentives for practicing in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). For example, programs like the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offer loan repayment assistance in exchange for a service commitment, typically lasting 2-3 years.
• Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans: Many medical graduates use IDR plans to lower their monthly payments based on income and family size. As of July 1, 2026, a new federal option called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will base payments on your income, with loan forgiveness after a long repayment period (typically 30 years).
• Military programs: If you’re interested in serving in the U.S. military, several programs can cover the full cost of medical school. The most common is the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), which pays tuition, fees, and a living stipend in exchange for a service commitment. Another option is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), where you attend medical school as a commissioned officer.
• Lower-cost schools: Targeting schools with lower tuition or a lower cost of living can reduce total debt by tens of thousands of dollars. Attending public medical schools in your home state is also one of the simplest ways to lower medical school tuition costs, rather than paying tuition for nonresidents.

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Common Ways to Pay for Medical School

combination of loans, scholarships, grants, and personal or family savings to cover your costs.

Here are some of the most common ways students pay for medical school:

• Federal student loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans are a common option for medical students. Beginning July 1, 2026, professional students can generally borrow up to $50,000 per year, with a $200,000 aggregate limit for graduate and professional borrowing. A $257,500 lifetime federal student loan limit also applies. Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to most new graduate and professional students, although some students who were already enrolled and borrowing before July 1, 2026 may qualify for a transition exception.
• Scholarships and grants: Medical schools and outside organizations may offer merit-based or need-based aid that you don’t have to repay. Even smaller awards can help reduce how much you need to borrow over four years. In some cases, you may also be able to negotiate your medical school scholarship or financial aid offer, especially if you’ve received a stronger package from another school.
• Institutional aid: Some medical schools offer their own scholarships, grants, or loan programs. When comparing schools, look at your full financial aid package rather than tuition alone.
• Private student loans: If federal and institutional aid don’t cover your full cost of attendance, private loans may help fill the gap. Be sure to compare interest rates, repayment terms, and borrower protections before taking one out.
• Service-based programs: Programs such as the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program can help cover medical school costs in exchange for a future service commitment.
• Personal or family savings: Savings or financial help from family may also reduce the amount you need to borrow.

Some students supplement their finances through part-time work, savings, or family support, especially during the pre-clinical years.

“Future you” will thank “past you” for applying for as many scholarships as possible, since any loans you take out must be repaid with interest. You can even use one scholarship offer to negotiate with another school. Most medical students rely on federal student loans, which are accessed through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Least Expensive Medical Schools

To find the least expensive medical schools, aim for public institutions in your current state. In-state tuition for public colleges is typically the lowest cost for students. Also, consider the cost of living. New York City is much more expensive to live in than Lubbock, Texas, for example.

MD Programs

Below are some of the least expensive MD programs in the U.S., based on annual tuition and required fees (in-state rates for public schools where applicable):

• University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine: $18,200
• Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine: $22,998
• University of New Mexico School of Medicine: $15,328
• The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School: $22,074
• Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine: $35,000
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine: $22,372
• The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine: $22,572
• Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine: $24,491
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine: $22,076
• University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine: $24,268
• East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine: $25,432
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical School: $25,436
• McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston: $30,346
• Baylor College of Medicine: $31,309
• Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio: $31,831
• University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine: $27,471
• Florida State University College of Medicine: $27,070
• University of Central Florida College of Medicine: $29,680
• Medical College of Georgia: $31,205
• Ohio State University College of Medicine: $32,008
• University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine: $37,048
• West Virginia University School of Medicine: $37,800
• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine: $37,308
• University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences: $39,612
• University of Florida College of Medicine: $37,130

Looking outside the U.S.? Here are the best Caribbean medical schools.

DO Programs

Costs at DO programs also vary depending on whether the school is public or private and for in-state vs. out-of-state students. Below are some of the most affordable DO programs in the U.S. Totals consider tuition and fees for in-state residents:

• The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth: $19,871
• Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine: $26,500
• Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine: $32,538
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine: $23,594
• Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine: $43,356
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) – Erie: $49,963
• Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine: $50,783
• Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine: $50,680
• William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine: $50,500

Tuition-Free Medical Schools

A small number of medical schools in the U.S. offer full-tuition coverage, though the structure varies by institution. Some are permanently tuition-free, while others offer need-based full scholarships or time-limited programs tied to funding cycles. Some international programs also advertise tuition-free models, often with service commitments or strict eligibility requirements.

Below are several well-known U.S. programs with tuition-free or full-tuition scholarship structures:

• NYU Grossman School of Medicine: This school offers full-tuition scholarships to all MD students, regardless of merit or need. Additional scholarships may also cover living expenses, depending on financial circumstances.
• NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine: This is another NYU MD program, but, unlike the campus in Manhattan, this Long Island school offers a non-traditional 3-year MD program with a focus on primary care.
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine: All MD students receive scholarships that cover tuition and fees through the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Scholarship Fund. Students are still responsible for living expenses and other costs of attendance.
  
• Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine: This Cleveland college offers free tuition for its 5-year MD program. It’s 5 years instead of 4 because of this school’s emphasis on biomedical research.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is a top medical school and also offers substantial need-based tuition assistance. Students from families earning less than $300,000 may qualify for scholarships covering full tuition, while students from families earning less than $175,000 may qualify for aid covering the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Eligibility also depends on factors such as family assets and demonstrated financial need.

Making the Most of Your Investment

Applying to medical school is a major investment of both time and money, so it’s important to do what it takes to make sure it pays off. For most physicians, that investment leads to strong long-term earning potential and financial stability over the course of a career.

Getting accepted the first time can save you thousands in reapplication costs and lost time. With the right guidance, you can strengthen your application, improve your interview performance, and maximize your chances of acceptance.

Work 1-on-1 with a physician and former admissions committee member to build a competitive application strategy tailored to your goals. Join the 92% of MedSchoolCoach clients who get into medical school.