Looking for the cheapest medical schools in North America? We’ll provide you with lists of the cheapest DO vs MD schools for in-state and out-of-state students,  a complete list of Canadian medical schools ranked from lowest to highest tuition cost, and money-saving tips from real MDs!

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4 min read

Cheapest MD Medical Schools for In-State Students Cheapest MD Medical Schools for Out-of-State Students Cheapest DO Medical Schools for In-State Students Cheapest DO Medical Schools for Out-of-State Students Canadian Schools Ranked from Lowest to Highest Tuition Cost Cheapest Medical Schools: Public vs Private Advice from Real MDs on Managing Medical School Tuition Costs FAQs

Cheapest Medical Schools (MD) for In-State Students

The following list ranks US MD medical schools with the lowest annual tuition costs for in-state students. You can organize the table from lowest to highest tuition costs by clicking on the "Tuition" category at the top of the table.

*Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine: tuition fee waived for entering classes between 2020- 2024.

Cheapest Medical Schools (MD) for Out-of-State Students

*The following list ranks US MD medical schools with the lowest annual tuition costs for out-of-state students. You can organize the table from lowest to highest tuition costs by clicking on the "Tuition" category at the top of the table.

*Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine: tuition fee waived for entering classes between 2020- 2024.

Cheapest DO Medical Schools for In-State Students

*The following list ranks US DO medical schools with the lowest annual tuition costs for in-state students. You can organize the table from lowest to highest tuition costs by clicking on the "Tuition" category at the top of the table.

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Cheapest DO Medical Schools for Out-of-State Students

*The following list ranks US DO medical schools with the lowest annual tuition costs for out-of-state students. You can organize the table from lowest to highest tuition costs by clicking on the "Tuition" category at the top of the table.

Canadian Schools Ranked from Lowest to Highest Tuition Cost

*Note: Only medical schools in Quebec have a difference in tuition between in-province and out-of-province students.

Cheapest Medical Schools: Public vs Private

Advice from Real MDs on Medical School Tuition Costs

1. Did the cost of medical school factor into which medical school you attended? 

“Unfortunately, no. In Canada, most medical schools are similar when it comes to tuition cost by year. Of course, some are more expensive than others but, at the end of the day, there is enormous competition to get into medical school (and limited seats). For this reason, I decided to apply broadly and go with whichever medical school that accepted me first.” - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

 

“Yes, after your first year at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, out-of-state students can qualify for in-state tuition.” - Dr. Cathleen Kuo, MDc


2. What would you advise students who are worried about the cost of medical school? 

“I would skew the schools you apply to, to be in-state and public schools (if you are in the US) and look at what scholarships are offered. For instance, I found out later, my school had a full tuition covered scholarship for 2 students that they offered. Additionally, if you are open to do a few years of practice after residency in a rural area, you can get a large amount of your loans forgiven. I would also recommend considering what part time jobs you could do prior to medical school.” - Dr. Sruveera Sathi, MD

 

“Explore all available financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Many medical schools offer need-based and merit-based scholarships, as well as loan repayment programs. Look into government programs, private scholarships, and financial aid packages offered by schools.” - Dr. Cathleen Kuo, MDc

 

“It is well known that medical school will be expensive. However, it is important to think of it as an investment than liability. While it can seem daunting to be under large amounts of debt early on in your career, you will easily be able to make up for it after your studies are finished. Thus, it is important to be future-oriented and focus on enjoying the process, instead of being overwhelmed by the cost of medical school in the short term.” - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

 

3. Did you use any cost-saving measures during medical school or during the application process? If so, can you describe some?

“I stayed with my parents during the last year of medical school after I finished my mandatory rotations and only had aways or virtual rotations. That saved money on rent. Only take a loan for what you need. If there are some costs that can be covered by help of friends/family, I would do that first before taking out loans which often tend to have high interest rates.” - Dr. Sruveera Sathi, MD

 

“During medical school, I try to live as frugally as I can and make necessary financial adjustments to minimize debt accumulation.” - Dr. Cathleen Kuo, MDc

 

“During medical school, I chose to live in a relatively cheap rental home with roommates to cut down the living expenses. I also kept a relatively tight budget for entertainment / leisure compared to my peers which helped me to minimize my debt as much as possible.” - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

FAQs

1. Do the cheapest medical schools have the same quality of education as expensive medical schools?

Generally, all American and Canadian medical schools have a high quality of education. They are all licensed and accredited by official governmental bodies of their state and country. The quality of education in all schools is comparable and doesn’t have much impact on tuition.

2. Does tuition cost depend on whether I attend DO or MD schools?

Tuition costs in osteopathic and allopathic medical schools are comparable. As with MD schools, DO medical schools in Texas are some of the cheapest medical schools in the US.

3. Is it more difficult to get into a public medical school if you’re an out-of-state applicant?

Yes, it tends to be more difficult but does not mean that it’s impossible. Many out-of-state friendly medical schools welcome non-residents. 

4. I want to apply as an in-state applicant, but my state has a limited number of medical schools and I don’t think I have a chance to get in. What should I do?

If you think applying in-state is not an option, you should apply out-of-state. There are affordable out-of-state schools you can consider. Additionally, don’t forget to research private medical schools to see what kind of tuition fees they require.

5. Medical school is expensive. How can I pay for medical school?

Creating a feasible budget should be your number one priority. Find out what kind of financial aid is available to you by applying to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, look to see what kind of funding you can apply for, including grants, bursaries, and scholarships.

6. How much does medical school cost per year?

Attending a medical school in an urban center in the US will cost approximately $276,006 per year. Keep in mind that this includes your tuition, fees, car expenses, and living expenses. In Canada, attending medical school in a small city will cost you approximately CAD$96,000 per year. This cost also includes tuition, fees, car costs, and living expenses.

7. You said the clerkship years of medical school are more expensive. Why is that?

There is a number of reasons for this. In addition to spending more money traveling between rotations and getting take-out, the last two years of medical school also prepare you for residency. This means costs associated with electives (e.g. travel, short-term rent, etc.), licensing exam costs, residency interview travel, and other expenses. While this is not part of your medical school tuition, all these expenses will add up, so keep them in mind when you budget.

8. Should I always choose the cheapest medical school to attend?

The school you choose to attend will depend on many factors, only one of which is cost. While keeping the costs down is an understandable priority, if you are already committed to spending thousands of dollars on your medical school education, make sure you actually want to attend the school you choose. If you choose a cheaper medical school but disagree with its mission or despise the town where it’s located, you might want to reconsider. Make sure you want to be a student at the school you choose to attend.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting


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tags: cheapest medical schools, medical schools with cheapest tuition, Medical School Application