Cheapest Medical Schools in the United States. Are you contemplating medical school but concerned about accumulating significant debt? This article explores the most affordable medical schools in the United States.
The country is known for its high tuition fees, including medical education. According to recent data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), four years of medical school cost $268,476 for public institutions and $363,836 for private ones. Despite financial aid options, many students still incur substantial student debt. This guide provides insights into the least expensive medical schools in the USA, offering brief overviews of each.
Cheapest Medical Schools in the U.S
1. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
The East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, located in Greenville, North Carolina, has an annual in-state tuition of $18,159, making it one of the few medical schools with tuition below $20,000.
A significant 80% of students receive financial aid, resulting in an average medical school debt that is approximately $52,100 lower than the surveyed average, totaling $112,692.
2. University of New Mexico School of Medicine
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, located in Albuquerque, charges an annual in-state tuition of $15,798. Approximately 87% of students receive gift aid, resulting in an average medical school debt of $126,783, which is about $38,000 below the national average due to the institution’s low tuition and generous aid.
3. Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in Houston, Texas, charges an annual tuition of $19,650 for in-state students. Among the top 20 medical schools, it boasts the third-lowest average student loan debt, with only three institutions reporting graduates with less than $100,000 in student debt, and 60% of students receive gift aid.
4. Texas A&M College of Medicine
The yearly tuition at Texas A&M College of Medicine is $13,790 for in-state students, with an average medical school debt of $128,797. Approximately 78% of students receive gift aid. Notably, it boasts the second-lowest tuition among the medical schools listed, making it easier for graduates to keep their medical school debt relatively low.
5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine charges an annual tuition of $49,900, with an average medical school debt of $69,695. While it has the highest tuition among the top 20 medical schools, Mayo Clinic stands out for its low student debt. Scholarships and grants contribute significantly, resulting in Mayo Clinic graduates having about $95,100 less debt than the survey average.
6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine charges an annual tuition of $15,016 for in-state students. On average, medical school graduates carry a debt of $129,454, with 72% of students receiving gift aid. This places the school as the fourth lowest in terms of tuition among the surveyed medical schools, resulting in approximately $35,300 less debt for graduates, on average.
7. University of Central Florida College of Medicine
The University of Central Florida College of Medicine, based in Orlando, Florida, holds the highest position for institutional aid. With 100% of students receiving scholarships or grants, combined with a relatively low annual in-state tuition of $25,491, students can manage to keep their medical school debt to a minimum.
8. David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Yearly tuition: $32,757 for in-state students
Average debt for medical school: $117,590
91% of students receive gift aid.
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA holds the third-highest institutional aid rate among the top 20 medical schools (tied with the Mayo Clinic).
Alumni from this school benefit from scholarships and grants, averting an average of $47,200 in medical school debt.
9. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas charges an annual in-state tuition of $18,493. Although only 52% of students receive financial aid, the relatively low starting medical tuition results in graduates borrowing around $55,500 less than the average medical school debt observed in our analysis.
10. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio charges an annual in-state tuition of $14,500, making it the third least expensive in this analysis. With 55% of students receiving gift aid and an average medical school debt of $120,529, it stands out as one of the most economical medical schools, saving students approximately $24,600 annually.
11. University of North Texas Health Science Center
At the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, annual in-state tuition is $13,078. Despite having higher student loan balances compared to other top 20 affordable medical schools, it remains the most cost-effective in terms of tuition. With 75% of students receiving gift aid and relatively low tuition, it presents a wise option for minimising overall student loan debt.
12. University of California – San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine
UCSD School of Medicine in California charges $32,346 annually for in-state students. Despite the relatively high tuition among the top 20 affordable medical schools, graduates from UCSD enter residency with the second-lowest average medical school debt, which is below $100,000. Approximately 61% of students receive gift aid.
13. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Yearly in-state tuition stands at $26,114, with an average medical school debt of $135,788 for the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine graduates. Despite having higher average student loan balances within the top 20, they remain around $29,000 below average debt. The institution provides affordable tuition and ample financial aid options.
14. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine charges an annual tuition of $24,837 for in-state students. With 87% of students receiving gift aid and lower tuition compared to the study’s average, UNC medical students incur approximately $14,300 less in expenses annually. This reduces their reliance on student loans, resulting in lower overall debt.
15. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston charges an annual in-state tuition of $15,525, with an average medical school debt of $117,381. It stands out with a lower institutional aid rate compared to other top 20 schools, more aligned with bottom 20 averages. However, its fifth-lowest tuition compensates, resulting in medical school debt about $47,400 below the overall study average.
16. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine
UAB School of Medicine at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, charges an annual in-state tuition of $26,778. The average medical school debt for its graduates is $108,690, which is approximately $56,100 less than the average debt in our study.
Despite providing aid to a smaller percentage of students (44%), attending UAB medical school can result in considerable debt savings, nearly equivalent to a year’s salary for a first-year medical resident, estimated at $54,100 according to a 2016 AAMC survey.
17. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine charges an annual tuition of $24,030 for in-state students, with an average medical school debt of $121,668. About 49% of students receive gift aid. The school’s below-average tuition saves students approximately $15,000 per year, leading to a total medical school debt savings of around $43,100 for graduates.
18. University of California—San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine
The UCSF School of Medicine charges $33,420 in annual tuition. Approximately 82% of students receive institutional aid, resulting in an average medical school debt of $139,457. This support likely reduces their borrowing by around $25,300 compared to the average medical student, despite having tuition costs similar to the norm.
19. University of California – Davis School of Medicine
The University of California, Davis School of Medicine charges an annual tuition of $35,933, with an average medical school debt of $153,419. Remarkably, 95% of students receive gift aid, such as scholarships or grants, making medical school costs manageable. While the tuition may appear higher than other affordable medical schools, it remains below the study’s average. These financial aids contribute to UC Davis graduates having medical student loans $11,400 lower than the overall average.
20. University of Michigan Medical School
The yearly tuition at the University of Michigan Medical School is $34,050, with an average medical school debt of $124,091. Approximately 56% of students receive gift aid. While the school’s tuition and institutional aid rates approach the average, graduates from the University of Michigan typically incur medical school debt that is 25% lower than the $164,800 average.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to become a doctor in the USA?
Opting for a public university is usually the most cost-effective path for medical school. Unlike private medical schools, public institutions struggle to secure equivalent state funding, making it challenging for them to offer competitive pricing.
In conclusion, this guide highlights the top affordable medical schools in the U.S., offering insights into tuition costs, average medical school debt, and institutional aid percentages. It emphasizes the importance of minimizing student debt and choosing a school that aligns with individual financial circumstances and career goals.
