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Medical School Tuition in the US and Canada in 2026
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Medical School Tuition in the US and Canada in 2026

Written by
International Medical AID
on July 17th, 2026

READING TIME
38 minutes

Last updated: July 2026.

Medical school tuition is expensive, regardless of what type of medicine you practice or where you attend medical school. We talk about lots of medical schools here on our blog, and they all have one thing in common: a hefty price tag. In addition to medical school tuition, the cost of medical school extends to room and board, transportation, food and miscellaneous university costs. That’s why, in addition to writing your personal statement and filling out your AMCAS, many medical school applicants also fill out financial aid forms.

So, exactly how much does medical school cost? That’s what we’re talking about in this article. The more informed you are regarding prices, the better decisions you can make as you apply to medical school. We’ll cover:

  • The cost of medical school in the United States in 2026
  • The cost of medical school in Canada
  • Medical school and DO school tuition rates
  • Major federal loan changes taking effect in 2026
  • How to think about tuition from enrollment through loan repayment
  • Tips for repaying student loans
  • Frequently asked questions

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know concerning medical school tuition.

How Much Does Medical School Cost in 2026?

Not only is medical school tuition expensive, but the cost has gone up significantly in recent years. Ten years ago, you’d pay around $25,000 to attend a public university’s medical school. You’d pay about $42,000 to attend a private medical school. And those rates were for in-state medical school for residents.

Non-residents forked out $44,000 for public and private universities. It might seem smarter to attend a school in your home state so that your medical school tuition is lower. But many students opt to attend medical school in a different state. Whether for the program or the experience, paying out-of-state medical school tuition is worth it for some applicants.

Those rates were from over a decade ago. In 2025-2026, the cost of medical school in the United States has increased substantially. The average cost of medical school in the 2025-2026 academic year is $61,110, up 2.33% year over year, according to Education Data Initiative reporting on AAMC data. Median first-year tuition and fees at public medical schools now sit at $43,648 for in-state students, while private medical schools report a median of $74,661. Non-residents at public schools can expect to pay figures competitive with or exceeding private school rates.

So, how much does medical school cost for four years? According to the AAMC, the median four-year cost of attendance for the Class of 2026 is $297,745 at public schools and $408,150 at private schools. Those figures include tuition, fees, health insurance, and living expenses. On tuition alone, in-state public graduates in 2026 paid roughly $165,134 for their degree, while private school graduates paid about $262,786. Depending on your residency and specialty, it could take years to pay off your loans.

Between academic year 2005-2006 and 2025-2026, medical school tuition increased approximately 89.6%. If current trends continue, students can expect tuition costs to increase at an average annual rate of about $1,500, meaning the Class of 2030 could face even steeper totals. For a broader look at where these numbers have been heading, see our article on medical school tuition trends to know.

What 2026 Medical School Debt Actually Looks Like

Understanding the sticker price is only part of the picture. Knowing what graduates actually owe matters just as much.

According to AAMC data for the Class of 2025 (the most recent graduating class with complete data), 70% of graduates carried education debt. Among those with debt, the mean total was $223,130 and the median was $215,000, up about 5% from the prior year. Public school graduates held a mean of $210,147, while private school graduates averaged $244,964.

The distribution is worth noting: 59% of all graduates owe $200,000 or more, and 28% owe $300,000 or more. Beyond medical school loans, 27% of graduates also report pre-medical education debt (median $28,000), and 12% carry credit card debt (median $6,000). These layers of debt can shape your financial reality for a decade or longer after graduation.

There is some good news. More than half of 2025 graduates (57.6%) intend to pursue federal student loan forgiveness, with the vast majority (88.5% of those pursuing forgiveness) planning to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you’re considering this route, keep in mind that PSLF requires 120 qualifying payments while working for a qualifying employer, which typically means 10 years of payments during residency and early practice.

Before you apply, it helps to know where you stand academically. The IMA Pathfinder medical school admissions calculator can help you assess your competitiveness and decide which schools fit your profile, including schools at different price points.

Major Federal Student Loan Changes Starting July 2026

If you’re planning to start medical school in 2026 or later, one of the most significant financial shifts in recent memory is already underway. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) eliminates the Federal Grad PLUS Loan Program effective July 1, 2026. This program has been the primary way medical students have covered costs above the standard federal loan limits. Its removal changes the borrowing landscape considerably.

What Changes for New Medical Students

Starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate students will be capped at $50,000 per year and $200,000 in total aggregate borrowing. For students at schools where annual cost of attendance exceeds $50,000 (which includes the majority of U.S. medical schools), this cap creates a gap that would previously have been covered by Grad PLUS loans.

Students who enrolled in medical school and took out a Federal Direct Loan before July 1, 2026, are grandfathered in. They can continue borrowing through the Grad PLUS Program under earlier limits, either until graduation or for up to three additional academic years, whichever comes first.

For new borrowers, repayment options are also being streamlined. Going forward, the two available plans will be a Tiered Standard Plan (with fixed repayment terms of 10 to 25 years) and a Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which replaces previous income-driven repayment options. RAP allows repayment terms of up to 30 years for medical school borrowers and will be the only plan eligible for PSLF for new borrowers.

The AAMC has published detailed guidance on these changes. If you are applying for the 2027 entry cycle or later, understanding this new structure is essential to your financial planning.

What This Means Practically

If you attend a school with an annual cost of attendance of $75,000 (a common figure at private schools), the $50,000 annual cap leaves a $25,000 gap per year, or $100,000 over four years, that you will need to cover through other means. That might include institutional aid, private loans, scholarships, savings, or choosing a less expensive program.

This makes the choice of school, the pursuit of medical school scholarships, and careful budgeting more consequential than ever. It also means that for the first time in years, medical school tuition is not just a sticker price issue; it’s a borrowing-access issue.

From Tuition to Loan Payment: Thinking About the Full Cost

Many students fixate on annual tuition when comparing schools, but the real question is: what will my monthly payment be after I graduate, and for how long?

Consider this example. A student who graduates with $250,000 in federal loans at the current 2026-2027 interest rate of 8.07% on a standard 10-year repayment plan would face monthly payments of roughly $3,040. During residency, when the median first-year stipend is about $66,986, that payment would consume more than half of gross monthly income. That’s why most residents enroll in income-driven repayment plans (or the new RAP) to lower payments during training.

If you extend repayment to 25 years under the new Tiered Standard Plan, monthly payments drop, but total interest paid over the life of the loan increases substantially. A $250,000 balance at 8% over 25 years would result in more than $325,000 in interest alone.

To see how different tuition amounts, interest rates, and repayment timelines affect your actual monthly payment, use the IMA Student Loan Repayment Calculator. It lets you plug in your expected debt, interest rate, and repayment period to get a concrete picture of what your post-graduation finances could look like. Running these numbers before you choose a school can help you weigh a $40,000-per-year program against a $70,000-per-year program in terms that actually matter: what you’ll pay each month, for how many years.

For context, interest rates for federal loans disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, are 7.94% for Direct Unsubsidized loans and 8.94% for Grad PLUS loans. For loans disbursed starting July 1, 2026, the Direct Unsubsidized rate rises to 8.07%. Origination fees for 2026-2027 are 1.057% for Stafford loans and 4.228% for PLUS loans (for grandfathered borrowers).

Tuition-Free and Reduced-Tuition Medical Schools in 2026

Not every medical school comes with a six-figure price tag. A small but growing number of schools now offer full-tuition scholarships or tuition-free education. Here are the programs with the most notable commitments as of 2026:

  • NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NY): Full-tuition scholarships to all MD students regardless of financial need. The 2025-2026 scholarship covers $64,250 per student annually.
  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine (NY): Beginning with the August 2024 entering class, all medical students receive free tuition.
  • Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (CA): Tuition and fees are waived for the first seven cohorts, through the class entering fall 2026.
  • Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (OH): All students (up to 32 per year) receive a full-tuition scholarship, saving $72,526 per year.
  • Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine (MD): Always tuition-free. Students receive active-duty officer pay during enrollment, roughly $86,500 to $88,000 depending on dependent status.
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (MD): Beginning fall 2024, tuition is free for students from families earning under $300,000 per year. Living expenses are also covered for families earning under $175,000.
  • Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AR): This new school welcomed its inaugural class of 48 students in July 2025 and will cover tuition for its first five cohorts. Listed tuition before the waiver is $72,010.

Applying to these schools is competitive, but they’re worth knowing about, especially now that Grad PLUS loans are being eliminated. You can learn more about the broader landscape in our guide to the cost of medical school.

Medical School Tuition / DO School Tuition in the United States

It’s important to know the cost of each medical school you’re considering. Here’s the breakdown for every medical school in the United States. Note that the tuition figures in the tables below reflect the most recent data available at the time of publication. Because tuition changes annually, always verify current rates directly with each school or through the AAMC’s MSAR database before making financial decisions.

Select Fields:



School Name



Out of State Tuition



In-State Tuition

  

MD     DO

Medical School Tution in the United States


Name of SchoolStateOut of State TuitionIn-State Tuition
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – GreenvilleSC9155747295
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – ColumbiaSC9130747045
Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityOH8616446694
University of Illinois College of MedicineIL8475951582
University of Colorado School of MedicineCO8097445020
University of South Dakota Sanford School of MedicineSD8059036204
University of Utah School of MedicineUT8051143941
University of Connecticut School of MedicineCT7999645916
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of MedicineHI7676542109
University of Maryland School of MedicineMD7644547350
Oregon Health & Science University School of MedicineOR7639352565
University of Kentucky College of MedicineKY7385440462
Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthNH7365973659
Stony Brook University Renaissance School of MedicineNY7320651716
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFL7243941067
Tufts University School of MedicineMA7175271752
University of Missouri – Columbia School of MedicineMO7161236710
University of Southern California Keck School of MedicineCA7135371353
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of MedicineFL7114034998
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNY7092571107
Rutgers New Jersey Medical SchoolNJ7087947342
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNJ7082847292
Harvard Medical SchoolMA7070970709
SUNY – Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical SciencesNY7055749067
Tulane University School of MedicineLA7049270492
Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical SchoolRI7049170491
Case Western Reserve University School of MedicineOH7033970339
Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall UniversityNJ7022770227
SUNY – Downstate Medical Center College of MedicineNY7025848768
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life SciencesOH6997138125
SUNY – Upstate Medical UniversityNY6986748377
Geisinger Commonwealth School of MedicinePA6983963539
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of MedicineIL6965869658
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of MedicineMA6950043181
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of MedicineAR6948737317
University of Washington School of MedicineWA6935838926
Stanford University School of MedicineCA6923969239
Perelman School of Medicine University of PennsylvaniaPA6923169231
The University of Vermont Larner College of MedicineVT6914842048
Wayne State University School of MedicineMI6873241354
Yale School of MedicineCT6865068650
Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNY6862068620
Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineMO6848068480
University of Oklahoma College of MedicineOK6846034132
University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of MedicineAL6843535423
University of Louisville School of MedicineKY6802846276
University of Kansas School of MedicineKS6798038785
Ponce Health Sciences University School of MedicinePR6797544793
Georgetown University School of MedicineDC6787567875
Duke University School of MedicineNC6729467294
University of Rochester School of Medicine and DentistryNY6719867198
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic MedicineFL6719260473
Carle Illinois College of MedicineIL6715954425
Virginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineVA6715943643
Central Michigan University College of MedicineMI6686746757
Cooper Medical School of Rowan UniversityNJ6653042769
Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of MedicineLA6639138213
West Virginia University School of MedicineWV6632434815
Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South AlabamaAL6612835124
Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of MedicineMA6589065890
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of MedicineMO6586733977
Indiana University School of MedicineIN6550340120
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of MedicineTN6544339519
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of MedicineNV6542836428
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceIL6541365413
University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePA6528463038
Vanderbilt University School of MedicineTN6525965259
Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of MedicineCT6518065180
Wake Forest School of MedicineNC6504865048
Creighton University School of MedicineNE6499664996
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of MedicineIL6496464964
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health SciencesDC6487064870
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of MedicineNC6471237318
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPA6449464494
California Northstate University College of MedicineCA6441964419
New York Medical CollegeNY6405364053
Florida State University College of MedicineFL6399629444
Albert Einstein College of MedicineNY6392463924
Louisiana State University – Shreveport School of MedicineLA6383832016
University of Michigan Medical SchoolMI6363845188
Drexel University College of MedicinePA6357363573
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of MedicineMI6350063500
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNY6346263462
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta UniversityGA6345334529
University of Nevada Reno School of MedicineNV6336635048
Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolVA6331840041
TCU and UNTHSC School of MedicineTX6312263122
California University of Science and MedicineCA6289162891
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health SciencesND6286534762
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineWV6284330059
Temple University Lewis Katz School of MedicinePA6285459598
University of Chicago Pritzker School of MedicineIL6243962439
Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineMD6239762397
University of Virginia School of MedicineVA6236051554
University of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIA6206941294
Saint Louis University School of MedicineMO6181861818
Meharry Medical College School of MedicineTN6179561795
Medical College of WisconsinWI6176558065
Albany Medical CollegeNY6174161741
Loma Linda University School of MedicineCA6160061600
Wright State University Boonshoft School of MedicineOH6135142473
Mayo Medical SchoolMN6040060400
Michigan State University College of Human MedicineMI6000833254
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthWI5996443788
University of Central Florida College of MedicineFL5897932105
University of Arizona College of Medicine – TucsonAZ5823937639
University of California – Davis School of MedicineCA5814445899
Hofstra Northwell School of MedicineNY5812958129
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research InstituteVA5802258022
University of Arizona College of Medicine – PhoenixAZ5770537105
University of Minnesota Medical SchoolMN5735841328
Rush Medical College of Rush UniversityIL5724157241
Oakland University William Beaumont School of MedicineMI5652256522
University of California – Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineCA5597143726
Emory University School of MedicineGA5586455864
The Ohio State University College of MedicineOH5555830638
Medical University of South Carolina College of MedicineSC5543433434
University of California – Riverside School of MedicineCA5509042665
University of California – San Francisco School of MedicineCA5503642791
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of MedicineFL5491633726
University of California – Irvine School of MedicineCA5476242517
University of California – San Diego School of MedicineCA5448342238
Pennsylvania State University College of MedicinePA5447354786
University of Cincinnati College of MedicineOH5399035726
University of Miami Miller School of MedicineFL5263952639
Morehouse School of MedicineGA5167151671
University of Florida College of MedicineFL5141339157
Howard University College of MedicineDC4986249862
University of New Mexico School of MedicineNM4955421477
Universidad Central Del Caribe School of MedicinePR4906741062
San Juan Bautista School of MedicinePR4778037780
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of MedicineTN4762737777
University of Texas Medical Branch School of MedicineTX4234927639
Baylor College of MedicineTX4094327843
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of MedicineTX4041623750
University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of MedicineTX4017727077
University of Texas Southwestern Medical SchoolTX3798624886
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical SchoolTX3693322613
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – LubbockTX3647622976
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of MedicineTX3579222692
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of MedicineTX3550520633
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of MedicineTX3387020770
University of Nebraska College of MedicineNE3384422881
University of Puerto Rico School of MedicinePR3378617786
University of Texas McGovern Medical School at HoustonTX3306724814
New York University Grossman School of MedicineNY1020010200
New York University Long Island School of MedicineNY1017010170
Alice L. Walton School of MedicineAR00
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of MedicineCA00
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineMD00
CUNY School of MedicineNYN/A41912
East Carolina University Brody School of MedicineNCN/A25859
Mercer University School of MedicineGAN/A43783
Southern Illinois University School of MedicineILN/A39142
University of Mississippi School of MedicineMSN/A35287
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of MedicineWAN/A40826
DO School Tution in the United States


Name of SchoolStateOut of State TuitionIn-State Tuition
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern UniversityIL7403574035
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern UniversityAZ7183371833
Rowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineNJ6966844683
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic MedicineMI6541747060
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic MedicineFL6395357234
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic MedicineNY6206662066
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in ArizonaAZ6080260802
University of New England College of Osteopathic MedicineME6069060690
Noorda College of Osteopathic MedicineUT5943759437
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic MedicineMO5936859368
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New YorkNY5915059150
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic MedicineTX5912559125
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic MedicineCA5912559125
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State UniversityNM5879058790
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the PacificCA & OR5956059560
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineCO & UT5853058530
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic MedicineNV5835058350
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – CaliforniaCA5810058100
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic MedicineTX5800058000
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWA5765057650
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic MedicineNC5660056600
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineOK5638628884
Alabama College of Osteopathic MedicineAL5544055440
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic MedicineOH5539639600
Idaho College of Osteopathic MedicineID5527055270
West Virginia School of Osteopathic MedicineWV5491023672
Marian University College of Osteopathic MedicineIN5392053920
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic MedicineIA5380953809
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicinePA & GA5350253502
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic MedicineTN5320053200
Liberty University College of Osteopathic MedicineVA5098550985
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic MedicineMO4913049130
University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic MedicineKY4885048850
Edward Via College of Osteopathic MedicineAL, LA, SC, & VA4690046900
Arkansas College of Osteopathic MedicineAR4645046450
William Carey University College of Osteopathic MedicineMS4400044000
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – ElmiraNY3990039900
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth – Texas College of Osteopathic MedicineTX3883623148
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – BradentonFL3784036030
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Erie & Seton HillPA3720037200

The average 2025 tuition and fees for osteopathic medicine programs is approximately $56,053 for state residents and $59,990 for out-of-state students. DO programs have continued to expand; according to the AACOM, there are now 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine delivering instruction at 75 teaching locations across 36 states and educating more than 38,000 future physicians. In the 2026 NRMP Main Residency Match, DO seniors reached a record 93.2% PGY-1 match rate, nearly equal to the 93.5% rate for U.S. MD seniors.

Medical School Tuition / DO School Tuition in Canada

Are you interested in applying to medical schools in Canada? We’ve compiled this next list for Canadian applicants or for American students who want to attend medical school in Canada. Canada has 17 accredited medical schools, far fewer than the approximately 160 MD-granting and 48 DO-granting schools in the United States. For Canadian citizens and permanent residents, annual tuition typically ranges from $13,000 to $26,000 CAD. International students, where eligible, can face rates upward of $95,000 CAD per year. Once living expenses in major cities like Toronto or Vancouver are factored in, total four-year costs can exceed $300,000 CAD.

Select Fields:



Canadian Province



In-State Tuition



Out of State Tuition

Medical School Tution in the Canada


Name of SchoolCanadian ProvinceIn-State TuitionOut of State Tuition
Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryAlberta$16,063.02$16,063.02
Dalhouise University Faculty of MedicineNova Scotia$23,000$23,000
Faculty of Medicine Universite LavalQuebec$4,070$12,550
McGill University Faculty of MedicineQuebec$8,036.70$19,720.05
Memorial University Faculty of MedicineNewfoundland$13,260$13,260
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster UniversityOntario$26,126.64$26,126.64
Northern Ontario School of MedicineOntario$24,173.90$24,173.90
Queen’s University School of MedicineOntario$27,483$27,483
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western UniversityOntario$25,456$25,456
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & DentistryAlberta$12,887.20$12,887.20
University of British Columbia Faculty of MedicineBritish Columbia$21,006$21,006
University of Manitoba Max Rady College of MedicineManitoba$10,000$10,000
University of Montreal Faculty of MedicineMontreal$3,601$11,193
University of Ottawa Faculty of MedicineOttawa$28,500$28,500
University of Saskatchewan College of MedicineSaskatchewan$18,945$18,945
University of Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesSherbrooke$4,767$12,285
University of Toronto Faculty of MedicineToronto$24,835.40$24,835.40

The Hidden Costs Beyond Medical School Tuition

The numbers in the tables above represent tuition and fees, but the total cost of attending medical school goes well beyond those line items. When the AAMC calculates cost of attendance, it includes living expenses, transportation, health insurance, and personal costs. That’s why the median first-year cost of attendance rises to $75,654 at public schools and $106,787 at private schools, even though median tuition alone is $43,648 and $74,661 respectively.

Before you even start medical school, there are significant costs. MCAT registration is $355 for 2026 testing dates. AMCAS fees for the 2027 cycle are $180 for the first school and $48 for each additional school. With applicants applying to an average of 19.5 schools, primary application fees alone can run over $1,000. Secondary application fees, interview travel, and USMLE exam fees ($695 per exam in 2026) add thousands more.

If you are still building your application and want to understand what to know before getting into medical school, it’s worth factoring in these pre-enrollment costs when you plan your budget. Students who prepare financially before they apply tend to feel less pressure once they’re in.

Tips for Repaying Your Student Loans

Medical school costs quickly add up. Even if you have savings, scholarships and family to help, you’ll likely need to take out some student loans. So, instead of freezing at the very idea of student loans, let’s look at ways to address them.

Federal Student Loans

There are two types of student loans: federal and private. For students who borrowed before July 1, 2026, there are several options for repaying federal student loans.

  1. Income-driven repayment: This is a good option if you want to repay your student loans based on your income. You generally have a lower monthly payment this way.
  2. Student loan forbearance: This option allows you to temporarily stop making payments. Situations like a cancer diagnosis, loss of a job, insufficient income or being active duty in the military can grant you student loan forbearance.
  3. Debt consolidation: If you have a ton of student loans with varying interest rates and due dates, you can apply to consolidate them. This will combine all your loans into one and allow you to make one monthly payment at a rate you can afford.
  4. Loan forgiveness or cancellation: This option is usually only available to government, federal or state employees and individuals who work for non-profits.

For new borrowers starting after July 1, 2026, repayment options are different. The two available plans going forward are the Tiered Standard Plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). RAP is the only income-driven option and the only plan that qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you expect to work in academic medicine, at a nonprofit hospital, or for a government agency during or after residency, RAP plus PSLF could substantially reduce what you ultimately pay.

Private Loans

Private loans work differently than federal loans, so repayment options are different. We can’t advise you on how these repayment options work because every private loan provider is different. You’ll need to contact your student loan provider to know your repayment options.

But we can offer some repayment tips! There are practical ways you can pay off your student loans. These tips work for any type of private (or federal, for that matter) loan.

  1. Work part-time while you’re in school. Having some income coming in while you’re in medical school can help you stay on top of your student loans. If you want to immerse yourself in medicine 24/7, we recommend finding a position as a TA or an RA. This will help pad your resume while keeping your loans under control.

    You can also work a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant or retail store. These jobs are often flexible with school schedules. Working while you’re in medical school, whether on or off of your campus, shows hard work, tenacity and responsibility.

  2. Learn how to budget. It’s easy for finances to get out of hand. There are budgeting apps that you can easily download onto your phone. That, or you can use a traditional spreadsheet or notebook. Keep track of the income you have coming in, as well as your expenses. Set aside part of your monthly income for student loan payments. If nothing else, you can pay down the interest.
  3. Live as frugally as possible. There’s no substitute for keeping your expenses down. The less money you spend, the more money you make. You can use the money you save to pay down your student loans.
  4. Make lump-sum payments. In addition to paying down your interest and living frugally, you can use any excess money you have to make a lump-sum payment. These payments can be irregular, just whenever you have extra money. They can be for any amount but are generally larger payments.

Following these tips might not seem to make that big of a difference. But as you work hard over time, you’ll see a difference.

How to Think About School Choice and Medical School Tuition Together

Choosing a medical school based on cost alone is rarely the right call. But ignoring cost entirely isn’t smart either. Here are a few practical considerations that can help you weigh tuition against other factors.

Residency status matters more than ever. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public medical schools can be $20,000 to $45,000 per year. Over four years, that’s the equivalent of an entire house down payment. If you have strong in-state options, they deserve serious consideration. That said, if a specific out-of-state program aligns with your specialty interests or offers institutional scholarships, the extra cost may be justified.

Rankings are not the only measure of value. A school’s reputation matters, but so does match rate in your desired specialty, research opportunities, clinical exposure, location, and financial aid offerings. Our article on why medical school ranking doesn’t always matter goes into this in more detail.

Run the numbers before you commit. Use the IMA Student Loan Repayment Calculator to compare what your monthly payments would look like for different debt amounts. A $200,000 debt versus a $350,000 debt produces very different financial realities during residency and early practice. Seeing those numbers concretely can help you decide whether a less expensive school makes more sense for your situation.

Don’t overlook three-year programs. A growing number of schools offer accelerated three-year MD programs that can reduce total tuition costs by 25%. Fewer schools offer them, and they’re competitive, but they’re worth researching if you’re already committed to a primary care specialty. You can learn more in our article on three-year medical school programs in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does medical school cost in the United States in 2026?

Medical school costs in the United States vary based on whether you attend a public or private university and whether you have in-state residency status. For the 2025-2026 academic year, median first-year tuition and fees are approximately $43,648 at public medical schools and $74,661 at private medical schools. The median four-year cost of attendance for the Class of 2026 is $297,745 at public schools and $408,150 at private schools, according to AAMC data. These figures include tuition, fees, health insurance, and estimated living expenses.

How much does medical school cost in Canada?

Medical school costs an average of $13,000 to $26,000 CAD per year for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The province of Ontario has the highest average rates. International students at Canadian medical schools, where eligible, can face tuition upward of $95,000 CAD per year. With living expenses, the total four-year cost can exceed $300,000 CAD in expensive cities like Toronto or Vancouver.

Can I afford medical school? And is it even worth it?

Medical school costs quickly add up. Between the sticker shock and the mountain of applications for scholarships, grants and loans, you may question whether you even want to attend medical school.

Is it worth it? The answer to this question entirely depends on your reasons for becoming a doctor. Do you want to help others? Do you feel like there’s a purpose for you in medicine? If so, then getting into medical school (and getting through it!) will likely be worth it to you.

But if you’re just in it for the money, then it might not be worth all the effort. You can find other rewarding careers that will earn (over time) as much as doctors in some specialties.

There is also a light at the end of the tunnel. Most physicians earn enough money to pay back their student loans within several years. Once you’ve paid back your student loans, you can enjoy your salary. You’ll feel like you make significantly more once your student loans are paid off!

How long will it take for me to pay off my loans?

It will probably take you at least 10 years to pay off your student loans. If you subspecialize and have a longer residency, then it could take even longer. Standard federal repayment plans range from 10 to 25 years. The new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for post-July 2026 borrowers allows terms of up to 30 years for medical school debt. Over 57% of recent graduates plan to pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which requires 120 qualifying monthly payments (roughly 10 years) while working for a qualifying employer.

How much do Ivy League medical schools cost?

Medical school tuition for the Ivy Leagues and top research universities is usually in the $60,000 to $75,000 per year range. You can check out our definitive guides for Brown University, Stanford University, Duke University, Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University to see average rates for these schools. However, several of these institutions now offer substantial need-based aid. Johns Hopkins, for example, covers full tuition for families earning under $300,000 per year.

What is included in medical school tuition and fees?

Medical school tuition includes the cost of your classes. You pay a certain amount for each course credit that you take. Fees are associated charges that you must pay the university. Medical school tuition and fees do not cover other expenses. Housing, transportation, food, health insurance, and supplies like scrubs and medical equipment are all additional costs to consider.

So, if a university advertises $40,000 yearly in tuition and fees, anticipate paying more like $60,000 per year. After all, you do need a place to sleep at night and a doctor to go to when you get sick.

How has the elimination of Grad PLUS loans changed medical school financing?

Starting July 1, 2026, the Federal Grad PLUS Loan Program is no longer available to new borrowers. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are now capped at $50,000 per year and $200,000 total. For students at schools where annual costs exceed $50,000, this creates a gap that must be filled through institutional aid, private loans, scholarships, or savings. Students already enrolled before July 1, 2026, are grandfathered into the prior system for up to three years or until graduation.

How do I pay for medical school?

First, we recommend saving as much money as you can. As soon as you know you want to be a doctor, you should start saving. You can do this by working full-time during the summer months or part-time during the school year. In addition to saving your own money, you can also ask family and friends to contribute to your medical school fund.

Next, apply for scholarships and grants. Unlike student loans, you don’t need to pay these back. Any scholarship or grant that’s awarded to you is free money. You can apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can find. Some students have funded their entire education with scholarships and grants.

Finally, apply for loans. You have to pay these back with interest, so we only recommend this option as a last resort. We also highly recommend applying for public, federal student loans. These loans have better repayment terms and lower interest rates than private loans. Only apply for private loans if you really need them, and be especially mindful of this now that the Grad PLUS program has been eliminated for new borrowers.

Tell me about the cheapest medical school out there!

We can’t tell you which medical school is the cheapest because the cost of attendance varies significantly based on residency. For example, an in-state student might pay $20,000 per year in tuition at a Texas public school, while an out-of-state student at that same school could pay $40,000. That’s a $20,000 difference per year simply based on residency status. Then, you have to add in the cost of living.

We recommend researching the schools you’re interested in attending. A Google search like, “affordable medical schools in [your state]” can help you find available options. Many medical schools have a financial calculator on their website. You can plug in your residency status, when you’ll be enrolled and other select information. The calculator will generate an estimated cost for you.

Should I attend a public or private university for medical school?

We can’t answer this question for you. It really is a personal decision that you’ll need to make based on your circumstances. Having said that, we have some tips you can use as a guide for making your decision.

First, private medical school tuition is usually higher. Out-of-state tuition for a public university is often comparable to tuition at a private university. You could be looking at tens of thousands more per year depending on the school.

But attending a private school could be worth it if you want to be part of a specific program. You might also consider the medical school’s facilities, technology, teacher-student ratio and other resources.

If you want the most affordable education you can find, attend a public university in your state. If you want the highest quality education you can find, research schools in your state first, and then branch out to search for other schools.

It might surprise you to find that a public university in your state could offer exactly what you’re looking for. Or, you might decide that paying a higher price is worth it to enroll in a specific program.

Preparing for Your Application and Your Finances

It’s no secret that medical school isn’t cheap. But just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean you should give up on following your goals. There are real ways to pay medical school tuition. There are also multiple ways to manage student loans, should you need them to get through medical school.

Feeling overwhelmed? We understand. It’s a lot to process. Start by getting clear on where you stand as an applicant. The IMA Pathfinder medical school admissions calculator can help you identify schools that match your profile, and from there, you can compare costs and build a realistic school list. If you want foundational guidance on building your application, our Premed 101 guide is a good starting point.

While you’re here, we recommend checking out our series of definitive guides to getting into medical school. We’ve covered Ivy League colleges with notoriously low acceptance rates and high tuition prices. But we’ve also covered medical schools that are easier to get into and come with lower tuition rates. Check out what those schools have to offer.

Good luck on your path to medical school. We believe in you and your ability to become a great doctor.

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About IMA

International Medical Aid provides global internship opportunities  for students and clinicians who are looking to broaden their horizons and experience healthcare on an international level. These program participants have the unique opportunity to shadow healthcare providers as they treat individuals who live in remote and underserved areas and who don’t have easy access to medical attention. International Medical Aid also provides medical school admissions consulting to individuals applying to medical school and PA school programs. We review primary and secondary applications, offer guidance for personal statements and essays, and conduct mock interviews to prepare you for the admissions committees that will interview you before accepting you into their programs. IMA is here to provide the tools you need to help further your career and expand your opportunities in healthcare.