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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
39 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 $42,648 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:

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, per the AAMC’s MSAR (2027 cycle) and school-published 2026-27 rates 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.

Medical School Tution in the United States


Name of SchoolStateOut of State TuitionIn-State Tuition
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – GreenvilleSC$89,174$44,912
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – ColumbiaSC$89,094$44,832
Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityOH$99,701$53,173
University of Illinois College of MedicineIL$86,590$52,690
University of Colorado School of MedicineCO$73,811$47,856
University of South Dakota Sanford School of MedicineSD$81,474$35,344
University of Utah School of MedicineUT$92,232$49,502
University of Connecticut School of MedicineCT$77,893$49,708
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of MedicineHI$72,100$37,444
University of Maryland School of MedicineMD$78,339$46,015
Oregon Health & Science University School of MedicineOR$77,680$51,372
University of Kentucky College of MedicineKY$77,638$42,542
Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthNH$74,868$74,868
Stony Brook University Renaissance School of MedicineNY$73,608$50,958
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFL$72,512$38,014
Tufts University School of MedicineMA$74,118$74,118
University of Missouri – Columbia School of MedicineMO$97,328$49,786
University of Southern California Keck School of MedicineCA$76,191$76,191
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of MedicineFL$67,972$31,830
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNY$77,585$77,585
Rutgers New Jersey Medical SchoolNJ$78,184$49,708
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNJ$77,992$49,516
Harvard Medical SchoolMA$76,421$76,421
SUNY – Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical SciencesNY$74,490$49,770
Tulane University School of MedicineLA$78,640$78,640
Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical SchoolRI$74,670$74,670
Case Western Reserve University School of MedicineOH$74,540$74,540
Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall UniversityNJ$78,335$78,335
SUNY – Downstate Medical Center College of MedicineNY$72,192$47,472
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life SciencesOH$77,035$41,206
SUNY – Upstate Medical UniversityNY$72,791$48,071
Geisinger Commonwealth School of MedicinePA$72,448$65,494
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of MedicineIL$75,817$75,817
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of MedicineMA$76,790$46,364
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of MedicineAR$72,614$38,550
University of Washington School of MedicineWA$102,319$57,968
Stanford University School of MedicineCA$70,915$70,915
Perelman School of Medicine University of PennsylvaniaPA$77,491$77,491
The University of Vermont Larner College of MedicineVT$72,402$41,736
Wayne State University School of MedicineMI$74,926$46,677
Yale School of MedicineCT$75,990$75,990
Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNY$76,286$76,286
Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineMO$69,468$69,468
University of Oklahoma College of MedicineOK$70,664$35,368
University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of MedicineAL$67,786$37,282
University of Louisville School of MedicineKY$74,720$49,412
University of Kansas School of MedicineKS$73,806$43,314
Ponce Health Sciences University School of MedicinePR$77,464$51,102
Georgetown University School of MedicineDC$76,603$76,603
Duke University School of MedicineNC$74,690$74,690
University of Rochester School of Medicine and DentistryNY$76,850$76,850
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic MedicineFL$75,412$75,412
Carle Illinois College of MedicineIL$67,604$54,486
Virginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineVA$67,318$41,660
Central Michigan University College of MedicineMI$70,968$47,710
Cooper Medical School of Rowan UniversityNJ$76,932$50,830
Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of MedicineLA$61,115$32,937
West Virginia University School of MedicineWV$74,007$37,071
Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South AlabamaAL$71,431$36,198
Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of MedicineMA$73,965$73,965
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of MedicineMO$92,705$48,756
Indiana University School of MedicineIN$68,823$41,282
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of MedicineTN$58,370$38,874
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of MedicineNV$72,274$38,655
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceIL$74,223$74,223
University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePA$72,798$67,522
Vanderbilt University School of MedicineTN$72,803$72,803
Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of MedicineCT$65,690$65,690
Wake Forest School of MedicineNC$66,895$66,895
Creighton University School of MedicineNE$70,644$70,644
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of MedicineIL$72,844$72,844
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health SciencesDC$73,980$73,980
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of MedicineNC$63,365$35,040
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPA$70,292$70,292
California Northstate University College of MedicineCA$78,372$78,372
New York Medical CollegeNY$69,434$69,434
Florida State University College of MedicineFL$65,269$27,262
Albert Einstein College of MedicineNY$0$0
Louisiana State University – Shreveport School of MedicineLA$64,256$30,842
University of Michigan Medical SchoolMI$79,575$58,737
Drexel University College of MedicinePA$76,245$76,245
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of MedicineMI$69,800$69,800
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNY$75,953$75,953
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta UniversityGA$64,511$32,205
University of Nevada Reno School of MedicineNV$68,015$39,312
Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolVA$62,628$40,302
TCU and UNTHSC School of MedicineTX$72,270$72,270
California University of Science and MedicineCA$74,500$74,500
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health SciencesND$68,439$37,846
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineWV$62,246$27,662
Temple University Lewis Katz School of MedicinePA$64,136$60,560
University of Chicago Pritzker School of MedicineIL$66,937$66,937
Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineMD$68,878$68,878
University of Virginia School of MedicineVA$69,002$55,054
University of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIA$60,712$39,313
Saint Louis University School of MedicineMO$72,240$72,240
Meharry Medical College School of MedicineTN$59,250$59,250
Medical College of WisconsinWI$71,868$68,398
Albany Medical CollegeNY$60,051$60,051
Loma Linda University School of MedicineCA$71,832$71,832
Wright State University Boonshoft School of MedicineOH$75,833$48,671
Mayo Medical SchoolMN$67,900$67,900
Michigan State University College of Human MedicineMI$61,576$33,752
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthWI$62,514$44,392
University of Central Florida College of MedicineFL$56,554$29,680
University of Arizona College of Medicine – TucsonAZ$60,643$40,990
University of California – Davis School of MedicineCA$60,520$48,275
Hofstra Northwell School of MedicineNY$61,875$61,875
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research InstituteVA$63,779$63,779
University of Arizona College of Medicine – PhoenixAZ$60,692$41,361
University of Minnesota Medical SchoolMN$68,054$45,383
Rush Medical College of Rush UniversityIL$59,222$59,222
Oakland University William Beaumont School of MedicineMI$61,484$61,484
University of California – Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineCA$58,126$45,881
Emory University School of MedicineGA$60,382$60,382
The Ohio State University College of MedicineOH$57,122$32,202
Medical University of South Carolina College of MedicineSC$70,324$41,209
University of California – Riverside School of MedicineCA$54,543$42,298
University of California – San Francisco School of MedicineCA$54,785$42,540
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of MedicineFL$57,036$33,726
University of California – Irvine School of MedicineCA$55,254$43,009
University of California – San Diego School of MedicineCA$58,201$45,956
Pennsylvania State University College of MedicinePA$68,558$61,354
University of Cincinnati College of MedicineOH$54,806$35,948
University of Miami Miller School of MedicineFL$57,587$57,587
Morehouse School of MedicineGA$57,238$57,238
University of Florida College of MedicineFL$48,913$36,657
Howard University College of MedicineDC$60,924$60,924
University of New Mexico School of MedicineNM$48,412$20,176
Universidad Central Del Caribe School of MedicinePR$53,906$41,869
San Juan Bautista School of MedicinePR$45,000$35,000
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of MedicineTN$49,754$38,810
University of Texas Medical Branch School of MedicineTX$42,159$26,993
Baylor College of MedicineTX$36,879$23,783
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of MedicineTX$42,214$26,798
University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of MedicineTX$37,368$24,268
University of Texas Southwestern Medical SchoolTX$38,222$25,122
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical SchoolTX$37,138$22,074
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – LubbockTX$36,844$23,744
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of MedicineTX$34,632$21,532
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of MedicineTX$38,717$23,596
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of MedicineTX$36,098$22,998
University of Nebraska College of MedicineNE$57,673$43,197
University of Puerto Rico School of MedicinePR$35,700$18,200
University of Texas McGovern Medical School at HoustonTX$33,820$26,165
New York University Grossman School of MedicineNY$0$0
New York University Long Island School of MedicineNY$4,350$4,350
Alice L. Walton School of MedicineAR$0$0
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of MedicineCA$0$0
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineMD$0$0
CUNY School of MedicineNY$69,571$41,911
East Carolina University Brody School of MedicineNCN/A$25,432
Mercer University School of MedicineGAN/A$45,763
Southern Illinois University School of MedicineILN/A$41,623
University of Mississippi School of MedicineMSN/A$37,375
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of MedicineWAN/A$44,622
Arizona State University School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering (SOMME)AZN/AN/A
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of MedicineCA$71,616$71,616
University of Georgia School of MedicineGAN/AN/A
Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of MedicineNCN/AN/A
Roseman University College of MedicineNV$69,500$69,500
Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont UniversityTN$69,602$69,602
The University of Texas at Tyler School of MedicineTX$38,382$22,442
DO School Tution in the United States


Name of SchoolStateOut of State TuitionIn-State Tuition
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern UniversityIL$86,780$86,780
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern UniversityAZ$84,222$84,222
Rowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineNJ$82,375$54,969
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic MedicineMI$46,418$33,812
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic MedicineFL$77,308$77,308
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic MedicineNY$72,449$72,449
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in ArizonaAZ$74,234$74,234
University of New England College of Osteopathic MedicineME$77,800$77,800
Noorda College of Osteopathic MedicineUT$73,845$73,845
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic MedicineMO$71,644$71,644
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New YorkNY$72,280$72,280
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic MedicineTX$41,600$26,500
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic MedicineCA$74,050$74,050
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State UniversityNM$72,597$72,597
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the PacificCA & OR$75,683$75,683
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineCO & UT$72,526$72,526
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic MedicineNV$72,800$72,800
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – CaliforniaCA$74,250$74,250
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic MedicineTX$65,995$65,995
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWA$69,795$69,795
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic MedicineNC$63,390$63,390
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineOK$56,386$28,884
Alabama College of Osteopathic MedicineAL$61,788$61,788
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic MedicineOH$66,778$44,196
Idaho College of Osteopathic MedicineID$70,090$70,090
West Virginia School of Osteopathic MedicineWV$56,394$23,594
Marian University College of Osteopathic MedicineIN$59,850$59,850
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic MedicineIA$68,709$68,709
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicinePA & GA$68,465$68,465
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic MedicineTN$60,306$60,306
Liberty University College of Osteopathic MedicineVA$57,805$57,805
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic MedicineMO$63,260$63,260
University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic MedicineKY$59,570$59,570
Edward Via College of Osteopathic MedicineAL, LA, SC, & VA$52,500$52,500
Arkansas College of Osteopathic MedicineAR$61,165$61,165
William Carey University College of Osteopathic MedicineMS$50,500$50,500
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – ElmiraNY$46,787$46,787
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth – Texas College of Osteopathic MedicineTX$35,559$19,871
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – BradentonFL$44,662$44,307
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Erie & Seton HillPA$43,737$43,737

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.

Important note for 2026: The province of Ontario has passed a mandate reserving 95% of medical school seats for Ontario residents and 5% for other Canadians, effectively banning international (including American) students from attending Ontario medical schools. Ontario programs have been excluded from the Canadian options below for non-Canadian applicants.

Medical School Tution in the Canada


Name of SchoolCanadian ProvinceIn-State TuitionOut of State Tuition
Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryAlberta$25,749$25,749
Dalhousie University Faculty of MedicineNova Scotia$26,270$26,270
Faculty of Medicine Universite LavalQuebec$3,118$9,731
McGill University Faculty of MedicineQuebec$9,352$36,279
Memorial University Faculty of MedicineNewfoundland$14,250$30,000
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster UniversityOntario$25,130$31,462
Northern Ontario School of MedicineOntario$24,283$24,283
Queen’s University School of MedicineOntario$25,277$25,277
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western UniversityOntario$23,986$29,154
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & DentistryAlberta$16,464$16,464
University of British Columbia Faculty of MedicineBritish Columbia$24,838$24,838
University of Manitoba Max Rady College of MedicineManitoba$12,066$12,066
University of Montreal Faculty of MedicineMontreal$3,118$11,610
University of Ottawa Faculty of MedicineOttawa$25,487$29,504
University of Saskatchewan College of MedicineSaskatchewan$22,773$22,773
University of Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesSherbrooke$3,027$9,447
University of Toronto Faculty of MedicineToronto$25,416$29,836
Toronto Metropolitan University School of MedicineOntario$26,586$29,135

Notes on specific figures

  • Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine: The MSAR reports Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine at $74,540 in tuition and fees. The Lerner College of Medicine track remains a full-tuition scholarship for every admitted student, so its effective tuition is $0.
  • Quebec medical schools (Laval, Sherbrooke, Montreal): These programs bill tuition per credit. The figures shown reflect standard per-credit rates applied to a 30-credit year; actual MD costs run higher because medical programs carry heavier credit loads. Montreal’s Quebec-resident figure is an estimate. Confirm the current per-credit basis and total with each school before relying on these numbers.
  • Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine: The figure shown is the most recent published rate (2024-25); the school’s DO tuition page was unavailable at publication. Confirm the current rate directly with the school.

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 $42,648 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 $42,648 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. Beginning in 2026, Ontario medical schools are no longer an option for international or American applicants, because the province now reserves 95% of seats for Ontario residents and 5% for other Canadians. 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.