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 explain 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 that you can set expectations and budget effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[ READ NEXT:<\/strong> The Prerequisites for Medical School<\/a> ]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The average cost of attendance for the class of 2026 at public medical schools is $297,745 for four years, while the average cost at private medical schools is $408,150, according to data from the AAMC.<\/a> The total amount you\u2019ll pay for medical school will vary depending on which school you go to and where it is located. 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 Here are some key factors to consider when calculating the cost of medical school:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all medical schools are that expensive, however. There are approximately 160 accredited allopathic medical schools<\/a> in the United States that award MD degrees, and another 46 accredited osteopathic medical schools,<\/a> that award DO degrees, 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 In 2026, determining the true affordability of medical education goes beyond the sticker price of tuition. The most cost-effective choices are diverse, ranging from entirely tuition-free private schools, such as NYU Grossman,<\/a> Albert Einstein College of Medicine,<\/a> and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine,<\/a> to public state schools. Notably, public medical schools in Texas offer some of the lowest in-state and out-of-state rates nationally. For those considering Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) programs, institutions recognized for lower tuition include the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine<\/a> and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note that calculating genuine medical school affordability requires looking at the total cost of attendance, which accounts for potentially high living expenses, especially in urban areas like Manhattan or Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n On the opposite end of the spectrum, the most expensive medical schools can reach a total cost of attendance exceeding $100,000 per year. In 2026, the most expensive medical schools generally fall into two categories: elite private institutions in expensive cities and public schools charging massive out-of-state premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several factors can drive up the cost of medical school:<\/p>\n\n\n\nCalculating the True Cost of Medical School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Finding More Affordable Tuition and Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most Affordable Medical Schools in the U.S.<\/h3>
Type of<\/strong> Med School<\/strong><\/td> Med School Examples<\/strong><\/td> Why It’s More Affordable<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Tuition free medical schools<\/td> NYU Grossman, Albert Einstein, Kaiser Tyson<\/td> Zero tuition costs; you only pay for living expenses.<\/td><\/tr> Texas medical schools<\/td> UT Southwestern, UTRGV, Dell Medical<\/td> State law caps tuition.<\/td><\/tr> Osteopathic medical schools<\/td> TCOM, LECOM<\/td> Tuition is generally lower than allopathic medical schools.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Most Expensive Medical Schools in the U.S.<\/h3>