Is it your biggest dream to become a doctor? While the road will be long and challenging, it is definitely worth it! You’ll be helping many people and nursing back to health, not to mention the fact that the medical field is one of the most in-demand industries.
Before you think about the career, you first have to get into the best medical schools and begin studying. However, one of the questions asked by many premed students is the tuition and how much medical school will be overall.
To give you an idea, we’ll show you the average cost of medical school.
How Much is Medical School?
As you learn more about how to get into medical school, you may have been worried about the overall cost of it. While it is a bit expensive, there are scholarships and schools that offer more affordable tuition.
That said, we’ll show you the average and real costs.
- The true cost
According to the AAMC, the average cost for a year in public medical school, which includes tuition fees, health insurance, and other fees, is $34,592 for in-state students. For out-state students, it is $58,668.
These rates were from 2016-2017, so the tuition fees may have increased by then. It’s safe to say that tuition fees at private medical schools are over $50,000 a year no matter if you are an in-state or out-state student.
Also, take note that these costs don’t include other cost-of-living expenses, such as food, housing, and even books.
- More affordable tuitions
Those numbers may have discouraged you, but not to worry. Not all medical schools are as expensive as $50,000 and above.
The least expensive public medical schools, such as the Texas A&M Health Science Center, is about $16,500 for in-state students. There are also other universities that cost less than $20,000 a year, particularly around Texas.
If you aren’t an in-state student, the average tuition in private medical schools in Texas is around $30,000 to $40,000 a year.
- The most expensive schools
Now, let’s get into the most expensive medical schools. Tufts University holds this title, being over $60,000 a year in 2013-2014, not including cost-of-living expenses. Other expensive universities include Dartmouth and Columbia University.
While these schools are highly reputable, it is only worth the price if it’s a reasonable investment based on your personal situation.
- Paying for Medical School
Again, do NOT be discouraged by the high costs of medical schools! There are different scholarships and methods to pay for the tuition if you aren’t able to pay upfront.
For instance, there are student loans, military scholarships, student exchange programs, among other opportunities. Be sure to do your research and to make sure you study hard to reach the requirements of various scholarships and programs to be eligible for financial assistance.
Wrapping It Up
While medical school may be a bit pricey, there are universities that offer cheaper tuition fees and scholarships to cushion the blow. Look into the different universities and their tuition fees and prepare for the expenses ahead as you reach your dreams to become a doctor.
