The Mirror Moment

Guide 4 · Financial resources

Money shouldn't decide who becomes a doctor

Last reviewed October 2026

Abstract

The median four-year cost of attendance is $297,745 at public medical schools for in-state students and $408,150 at private schools.5 In the class of 2025, 70% of graduates had education debt, with a median of $215,000.6 Programs exist to lower these costs at every stage, from applying to graduating.

1AAMC Fee Assistance Program

In 2025, 15.1% of medical school applicants used fee assistance benefits.1 You may qualify if your family income is at or below 400% of the national poverty level for your family size.2

BenefitValue
MCAT registration feeReduced to $1453
AMCAS application feeWaived for up to 20 schools, worth $1,0683
Official MCAT prep bundleFree3
AAMC PREview examFirst registration free2,3
MSAR school databaseFree access2
Secondary application feesWaived by most AMCAS schools for approved applicants2

Apply before you register for the MCAT. Get approved first so the reduced fee applies to your registration. Approvals granted between January 1 and December 30 last until December 31 of the following year.2

2Fee waivers for DO schools

AACOMAS offers a limited number of fee waivers each cycle, each worth $198. An approved waiver must be used on a submitted application within 14 days or it expires.4 Because waivers are limited, apply as early in the cycle as you can.

3Scholarships that trade tuition for service

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

The military pays full tuition and required fees, plus books and most other educational fees. The Air Force's 2026 terms include a stipend of $2,999 a month and a $20,000 signing bonus for four-year scholarships. You serve one year of active duty for each year of support, and time spent in a military residency doesn't count toward that obligation.7 The Army and Navy run their own versions, so compare the terms.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship

The NHSC pays tuition and eligible fees, a monthly living stipend and an annual payment for other education costs. In return, you work in primary care in an area with a shortage of health professionals, with a minimum of two years of service. MD and DO students are eligible for one to four years of support.8

Before you sign. Service scholarships are legal contracts. Talk to current recipients and read the full terms, including what happens if you leave the program early.

4What medical school costs

School typeTuition and fees per yearTotal cost per yearTotal for four years
Public (in-state)$43,648$75,654$297,745
Private$74,661$106,787$408,150
Table 1. Median cost of attendance for MD schools, 2025–26. Total cost includes living expenses. Data from the AAMC Tuition and Student Fees Questionnaire, as reported by Northwestern University.5

Applying costs money too. Secondary application fees average about $100 per school and range from about $30 to $250.9 Each school's exact tuition is listed in the AAMC's MSAR database, which is free with fee assistance.2

References

  1. Association of American Medical Colleges. U.S. medical schools enroll record number of students in 2025. AAMC News. aamc.org
  2. Association of American Medical Colleges. Fee Assistance Program benefits. students-residents.aamc.org
  3. Blueprint Prep. How to apply for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program. February 9, 2026. blueprintprep.com
  4. American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Apply to medical school. aacom.org
  5. Northwestern University Health Professions Advising. Understanding the cost of professional schools (AAMC Tuition and Student Fees data, 2025–26). northwestern.edu
  6. Calonia J. Average medical school debt. Credible. Updated February 26, 2026 (reporting AAMC data). credible.com
  7. U.S. Air Force Medical Service. HPSP fact sheet. July 2026. airforcemedicine.af.mil
  8. Rural Health Information Hub. National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. ruralhealthinfo.org
  9. Kaplan. Medical school admissions: secondary applications. kaptest.com