{"id":18061,"date":"2023-07-06T12:34:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=18061"},"modified":"2023-07-07T15:57:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T15:57:08","slug":"whats-the-real-cost-of-medical-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/mcat\/whats-the-real-cost-of-medical-school\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Real Cost of Medical School?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll invest a lot of money attending medical school for four years, from tuition and fees to textbooks and housing. The real cost of medical school adds up quickly. So, just how much does medical school cost? We\u2019ll break down what you need to know about paying for medical school and show you ways to save money, including some popular medical school scholarships and student loans you might qualify for. Learn how much a U.S. medical degree costs, so you can set expectations and budget effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calculating the True Cost of Medical School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Education Data Initiative, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/educationdata.org\/average-cost-of-medical-school\" target=\"_blank\">the average total cost of medical school<\/a> in 2023 is $230,296, and the average yearly cost of medical school is $57,574. The total amount you pay for medical school will vary depending on which school you go to and where it is located in the U.S. The cost of medical school has risen by over one thousand dollars every year for the past eight years, with no signs of slowing down. Further, these numbers only represent the amount charged by the universities, which means that cost-of-living, books, food, and housing are not included. Even a thrifty student who cuts costs will incur certain necessary expenses outside of what they\u2019ll pay to attend. This is why it\u2019s so important to set a budget and plan accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding More Affordable Tuition and Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all medical schools are that expensive, however. There are <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aamc.org\/media\/6101\/download\" target=\"_blank\">155 medical schools in the United States offering MD programs,<\/a> in addition to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/osteopathic.org\/about\/affiliated-organizations\/osteopathic-medical-schools\/\" target=\"_blank\">37 DO or osteopathic programs<\/a>, and their tuition prices vary greatly. On average, public schools are more affordable than their private counterparts. In-state students receive discounted tuition at public state schools compared to out-of-state students. These are all important factors to consider when choosing a medical school.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Most Affordable Medical Schools in the U.S. in 2023<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re looking for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studentloanplanner.com\/cheapest-medical-schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">inexpensive medical school,<\/a> the options below have some of the lowest tuitions in the U.S.:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Texas A&amp;M University<\/strong><br>In-state tuition: $21,760; Out-of-state tuition: $34,860<br><\/li><li><strong>The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley<\/strong><br>In-state tuition: $22,952; Out-of-state tuition: $36,052<br><\/li><li><strong>The University of New Mexico<\/strong><br>In-state tuition: $23,238; Out-of-state tuition: $51,834<br><\/li><li><strong>The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston<\/strong><br>In-state tuition: $24,272; Out-of-state tuition: $33,812<br><\/li><li><strong>The University of Austin<\/strong><br>In-state tuition: $29,399; Out-of-state tuition: $38,719<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep in mind that this is just the tuition for these schools. Be sure to research and consider other expenses, such as cost-of-living and housing, when calculating total medical school costs.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Most Expensive Medical Schools in the U.S. in 2023<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To see the extreme difference in medical school tuition costs, here\u2019s a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-graduate-schools\/the-short-list-grad-school\/articles\/most-expensive-private-medical-schools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the most expensive medical schools in the U.S.<\/a> in 2023. The reputations of these schools may be worth the premium, but only if it seems like a reasonable financial investment for your situation. All of the schools on the list below are private medical schools in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Case Western Reserve University (Ohio)<\/strong><br>Tuition: $73,380<\/li><li><strong>Columbia University (New York)<\/strong><br>Tuition: $73,275<\/li><li><strong>Brown University &#8211; Alpert (Rhode Island)<\/strong><br>Tuition: $73,149<\/li><li><strong>University of Southern California &#8211; Keck<\/strong><br>Tuition: $72,748<\/li><li><strong>Northwestern University &#8211; Feinberg (Illinois)<\/strong><br>Tuition: $70,038<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_sidebar  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Factor in the Cost of Living<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another important consideration when choosing a medical school is the cost of living. The cost of living can vary greatly depending on where your medical school is located. When you\u2019re looking at the total cost of attendance, you also have to factor in things like rent, whether you\u2019ll need a car, food, and the cost of travel home if you\u2019re out of state. These additional factors can tip you over the edge in terms of which schools are most affordable. This is also one of the most individual components of the medical school application and will require some research. The good news is that there are lots of grants, scholarships, and loans available for incoming medical students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Pay for Med School: Loans &amp; Medical School Scholarships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Institutional grants tend to be rare, and there are far fewer medical school scholarships to cover tuition and fees than are available at the undergraduate level. Not to fear\u2014we have some tips for funding your path to a career in medicine. Read on to get an overview of what resources are available to you when considering how to pay for medical school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Student Loans<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given the cost of medical school attendance and the difficulty of juggling your education with a part-time job to pay for it, student loans have become the norm. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/store.aamc.org\/downloadable\/download\/sample\/sample_id\/575\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/store.aamc.org\/downloadable\/download\/sample\/sample_id\/575\/\">AMC<\/a>, 71% of medical students carried debt in 2022, and the average student loan debt was $200,000.The medical school <a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/financial-aid\/article\/financial-aid-application-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financial aid application process<\/a> is similar to that in undergrad\u2014the school\u2019s financial aid office will have a protocol to follow, which includes filling out the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/a>. After your application has been processed, you will likely qualify for two federal loans, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS Loan. The first has a limit of $20,500. While the second will cover the remainder of costs, it will require a credit check. The interest that accumulates while you are in school will be added to the overall loan balance when you graduate. It\u2019s important to stay on top of your student loans to monitor for any changes. Talk to your financial aid office to see if they recommend any tools to help you better manage your debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>HPSP and Military Scholarships<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A significant number of students each year apply for and accept the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goarmy.com\/amedd\/education\/hpsp.html\" target=\"_blank\">Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)<\/a>, which is sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and supplies, in addition to a monthly stipend given for living expenses. Recipients of the HPSP scholarship will be expected to serve on the Army Medical team, typically one year on active duty for every year of the scholarship received (\u201c1-for-1\u201d).&nbsp; This does not include residency training, whether done in a civilian or military residency. Application for the HPSP is completed via a recruiter, for whom the financial aid office or administration will have contact information. The application process can take a while, especially if there are any issues or roadblocks along the way, so it is best to apply early. The National Guard offers the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/medicineandthemilitary.com\/joining-and-eligibility\/part-time-service-options-students-residents\" target=\"_blank\">Medical and Dental Student Stipend Program (MDSSP)<\/a>, which requires some time commitment during school and does not provide as much in the way of incentive, but can nonetheless be an excellent option for those wanting to serve part-time and maintain a civilian career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The NHSC Scholarship<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsc.hrsa.gov\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship<\/a> is not only available to MD and DOs, but also to dentists, NPs, PAs, and DNPs. The NHSC scholarship is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides yet another good option when thinking about how to pay for medical school. Much like the HPSP scholarship, the NHSC scholarship provides tuition, fees, educational costs, and a monthly living stipend in return for providing primary care health services in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/bhw.hrsa.gov\/workforce-shortage-areas\/shortage-designation\" target=\"_blank\">Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).<\/a> To be eligible for this scholarship, you must also pursue residency training in an <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nhsc.hrsa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/nhsc\/scholarships\/postgraduate-training-bulletin.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">NHSC-approved specialty:<\/a> family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB\/GYN, psychiatry, or a combination of the above. If you plan to go into one of these medical fields and would like to give back to an underserved community, the NHSC is a great way to alleviate the cost of medical school while also helping those in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Professional Student Exchange Program<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wiche.edu\/psep\" target=\"_blank\">Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)<\/a> allows students in 11 western states to receive financial support when attending selected professional programs that are not available at public institutions in their home state. While both MDs and DOs are included in the PSEP, other professions such as veterinary medicine, podiatry, PA, physical therapy, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, and occupational therapy are also supported. For the 2024-2025 year, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wiche.edu\/tuition-savings\/psep\/whats-a-psep-award-worth\/\" target=\"_blank\">the amount of PSEP award<\/a> given to each student for allopathic medicine (MD) is $35,700 and $25,600 for osteopathic medicine (DO). Many states have a contractual \u201cservice payback\u201d obligation in which you must return to your home state after graduation to practice for a certain number of years. Apply early in the year before you plan to attend school, as the standard deadline is October 15th, and only applicants who are processed before that date have a realistic chance at the competitive scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prepare for Medical School on a Budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preparing for medical school can also be an expensive process, but Kaplan is here to help with discounts on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/mcat\">MCAT prep<\/a> for eligible students. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/tuitionassistance\">Kaplan\u2019s Fee Assistance Program<\/a> is available for students who have already been approved for <a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/fee-assistance-program\/apply-aamc-s-fee-assistance-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AAMC\u2019s Fee Assistance Program<\/a>\u2013or have an expected family contribution of $4,000 or less on their FAFSA\u2013and are seeking enrollment in an On Demand, Live Online, or In Person MCAT course. Learn more about Kaplan\u2019s Fee Assistance Program and how you can earn up to 60% off* your Kaplan MCAT course.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"text-72\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><code><br \/>\n<span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"412169cd3aa9977143b6f06c0fae300dfc947b95c5705249ca54c9f4a812a953\"><\/span><br \/>\n<\/code><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"text-73\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><code><br \/>\n<span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"69112752ce12d39d65c983f7db76907ae236d4cb30c38eaf7538c5f1d3530ae0\"><\/span><br \/>\n<\/code><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*When combined with the AAMC Fee Assistance Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ll invest a lot of money attending medical school for four years, from tuition and fees to textbooks and housing. The real cost of medical school adds up quickly. So, just how much does medical school cost? We\u2019ll break down what you need to know about paying for medical school and show you ways to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43705,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3,70,51],"class_list":["post-18061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mcat","tag-mcat","tag-mcat-adcon","tag-med-school-admission"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18061\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qa.kaptest.com\/study2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}