People opt to pursue a medical degree for a variety of reasons, from a strong sense of calling in life to strategic career advancement. Choosing to study medicine in the USA is a big decision that should not be made hastily, regardless of whether it is the first option or a fallback.
Even though being a doctor may be a fulfilling career, prospective students may find medical school to be quite expensive. To pay for their studies, a lot of aspiring doctors resort to taking out student loans.
After doing our research, we’ve discovered some of the Cheapest Medical Schools in the USA. Before looking at each one of them, here is an overview of Medical schools in the USA.
We shall also examine some of the reasons why medical schools are expensive as well as some of the advantages of enrolling in an affordable medical school in the USA.
Medical schools are institutions that provide education and training for individuals pursuing careers in medicine. The field of medicine has several different specializations, including obstetrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, and anesthesia.
Medical degrees give students the necessary skills required to deal with patients and their families in addition to the essential practical abilities needed to perform surgical operations.
Cheapest Medical Schools in the USA
Finding the absolute cheapest medical schools in the USA can be tricky, as costs can vary greatly depending on factors like residency status, public vs. private institutions, and financial aid availability. However, here are some schools known for their relatively lower costs compared to others:
1. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
The East Carolina University (ECU) Brody School of Medicine is a public medical school located in Greenville, North Carolina. Here are some key points about the ECU Brody School of Medicine:
The Brody School of Medicine was established in 1974 as part of East Carolina University. It was founded to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in eastern North Carolina.
The medical school offers a traditional four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum integrates basic science education with clinical training and emphasizes primary care, community health, and rural medicine.
Brody School of Medicine is known for its strong emphasis on community engagement and service. It operates several community health centers and clinics in underserved areas, providing healthcare to thousands of patients each year.
The Brody School of Medicine has several programs focused on addressing rural health disparities, including the Rural Health Scholars Program and the Rural Health Initiatives Program, which aim to recruit and train physicians to serve in rural areas.
Overall, the ECU Brody School of Medicine is dedicated to training physicians who are equipped to meet the healthcare needs of rural and underserved populations in North Carolina and beyond. It has a strong commitment to community service, primary care, and addressing healthcare disparities.
Out of the ten medical schools examined, the Brady School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, is the only one with an annual tuition under $20,000. Scholarships and grants are awarded to four out of every five students, and these students typically graduate from medical school with $52,100 less in debt.
Annual tuition: $18,159 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $112,692
2. University of New Mexico School of Medicine
The University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine is a public medical school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here are some key points about the UNM School of Medicine:
Establishment: The school was founded in 1964 and is part of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. It is the only medical school in New Mexico and serves the healthcare needs of the state.
Curriculum: The medical school offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum emphasizes primary care, cultural competency, and serving diverse and underserved populations. It includes classroom instruction, clinical training, and opportunities for research and community engagement.
Community Engagement: UNM School of Medicine is known for its strong commitment to community engagement and service. It operates clinics and outreach programs throughout New Mexico, providing healthcare to underserved communities and populations.
Primary Care Focus: The school places a strong emphasis on training physicians for primary care specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics-gynecology. It offers specialized tracks and programs to support students interested in primary care careers.
UNM School of Medicine has programs focused on addressing healthcare disparities in rural and tribal communities. These include the Rural Health Professions Program, which recruits and trains medical students to practice in rural areas, and the Indian Health Service (IHS) Pathways Program, which supports Native American students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Annual tuition: $15,798 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $126,783
Students receiving gift aid: 87%
Low tuition and an even larger percentage of institutional assistance are available at the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is not surprising that these grads can maintain their student debt at around $38,000 less than the norm given these variables that keep prices down.
3. Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is a private medical school located in Houston, Texas. Here are some key points about Baylor College of Medicine:
Baylor College of Medicine was founded in 1900 and is one of the premier medical schools in the United States. It is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the country for both research and primary care.
While Baylor College of Medicine is a private institution, it is closely affiliated with several leading healthcare institutions in Houston, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Houston Methodist Hospital. These affiliations provide students with diverse clinical experiences and opportunities for hands-on learning.
BCM offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the biomedical sciences, clinical skills, and professional development. It incorporates innovative teaching methods and emphasizes early exposure to clinical experiences.
Annual tuition: $19,650 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $99,882
Students receiving gift aid: 60%
The third-lowest average student debt balance among the top 20 is at Houston, Texas’s Baylor College of Medicine. Furthermore, the average graduate of this medical school departs with less than $100,000 in student debt—only one of just three such programs.
4. Texas A&M College of Medicine
Texas A&M College of Medicine is a public medical school located in College Station, Texas. It emphasizes primary care, rural medicine, and addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations.
The medical school was established in 1977 as a part of Texas A&M University. It has since expanded to multiple campuses across Texas, including locations in Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas, Round Rock, and Temple.
Texas A&M College of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in basic sciences, clinical skills, and professional development. It incorporates active learning methods and early clinical exposure.
The medical school has a strong focus on training physicians for rural and underserved areas. It offers programs such as the Rural and Community Health Institute and the Program in Medical Ethics and Humanities to prepare students for serving diverse communities
The medical school is involved in research across various disciplines, including biomedical sciences, public health, and clinical research. Students have opportunities to engage in research projects and scholarly activities under faculty mentorship.
Annual tuition: $13,790 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $128,797
Students receiving gift aid: 78%
Out of all the medical schools on our list, Texas A&M College of Medicine has the second-cheapest tuition.
With these cheap expenses combined with high institutional aid rates, graduates may reduce their debt from medical school very easily.
5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a private medical school affiliated with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine has two satellite campuses, located in Phoenix, Arizona, and Jacksonville, Florida. These campuses offer unique clinical experiences and educational opportunities.
The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is highly prestigious and ranks among the top medical schools in the United States. It is renowned for its excellence in medical education, research, and clinical care.
The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum is known for its innovative and patient-centered approach, emphasizing early clinical exposure and hands-on learning. Students have the opportunity to work with patients from the beginning of their medical education.
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is actively involved in research across various medical specialties. Students have opportunities to participate in research projects and work alongside faculty who are leaders in their fields.
Annual tuition: $49,900
Average medical school debt: $69,695
Students receiving gift aid: 9%
Reputably known for its medical education, the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine also boasts a low student debt rate. Although Mayo Clinic has the highest tuition of any of the top 20 medical schools, these expenses are greatly compensated by grants and scholarships offered by the hospital.
Graduates from Mayo Clinic, who owe around $95,100 less than the study’s average, had the lowest levels of medical school debt among all respondents in this poll.
6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine is a public medical school located in Lubbock, Texas, with campuses in Amarillo, El Paso, and Odessa.
The medical school was established in 1969 and is part of the Texas Tech University System. It has since grown to become one of the largest medical schools in Texas.
TTUHSC School of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical training, early exposure to patient care, and interprofessional education. Students have opportunities for clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
The medical school is actively involved in serving the community through clinics, outreach programs, and partnerships with local healthcare providers. It operates community-based clinics and rural health initiatives to address healthcare disparities in underserved areas.
The medical school is engaged in research across various fields, including biomedical sciences, clinical research, and public health. Students have opportunities to participate in research projects and scholarly activities under faculty mentorship.
Annual tuition: $15,016 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $129,454
Students receiving gift aid: 72%
In terms of tuition, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine is ranked fourth out of all medical schools. This results in an average reduction of $35,300 in debt from medical school upon graduation.
7. University of Central Florida College of Medicine
With all of its students getting grants or scholarships, the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, Florida, comes in first place for institutional aid. When combined with the already affordable tuition, students may easily avoid incurring excessive debt from their medical school education.
Annual tuition: $25,491 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $138,728
Students receiving gift aid: 100%
8. David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA)
In terms of institutional aid, the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine is tied with the Mayo Clinic for third place among these top 20 medical schools.
An average of $47,200 in medical school debt is avoided by graduates of this institution thanks to these scholarships and fellowships.
Annual tuition: $32,757 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $117,590
Students receiving gift aid: 91%
9. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Scholarships and grants are awarded to just around half of the students at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Nonetheless, graduates borrow over $55,500 less than the average debt associated with medical school, even with the low beginning cost of tuition.
Annual tuition: $18,493 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $109,350
Students receiving gift aid: 52%
10. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
According to this survey, the tuition for this medical school is the third cheapest, saving students about $24,600 a year. The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the most reasonably priced medical schools because of its low tuition and above-average institutional aid.
Annual tuition: $14,500 (in-state)
Average medical school debt: $120,529
Students receiving gift aid: 55%
What makes Medical Schools Expensive
Several factors contribute to the high cost of medical schools:
1. Highly Specialized Education: Medical education requires specialized facilities, equipment, and faculty expertise. Medical schools need to maintain state-of-the-art laboratories, simulation centers, and teaching hospitals, all of which are expensive to establish and maintain.
2. Faculty and Staff: Medical schools require highly qualified faculty and staff, many of whom have extensive clinical experience. These professionals typically command high salaries.
3. Accreditation Requirements: Medical schools must meet stringent accreditation standards set by organizations such as the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in the United States. Meeting these standards often requires significant investments in infrastructure, curriculum development, and faculty resources.
4. Clinical Training: Medical education involves extensive clinical training, which requires access to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. These institutions often charge fees to medical schools for using their facilities for training purposes.
5. Research Programs: Many medical schools are also involved in cutting-edge research. Supporting research programs adds to the overall cost of operating the institution.
Advantages of Enrolling in a Medical School
Enrolling in a cheaper medical school offers several key advantages:
1. Lower Debt: Graduating with less student loan debt reduces financial stress and provides greater financial freedom after graduation.
2. Financial Flexibility: Lower tuition fees allow for more career options without being burdened by heavy debt repayment.
3. Affordable Living Costs: Some cheaper medical schools are located in areas with lower living expenses, further easing financial strain.
4. Quality Education: Cheaper schools often provide a quality education with excellent faculty and facilities.
5. Access to Financial Aid: Many cheaper schools offer financial aid and scholarships, making education more affordable.
In short, enrolling in a cheaper medical school provides financial relief, maintains educational quality, and offers more freedom in career choices.