15 Cheapest Medical Schools in the U.S. for International and Domestic Students (2026) | Affordable Medical Schools with Low Tuition

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Dreaming of becoming a doctor but worried about the cost? You are not alone. Medical school in the United States offers excellent training, but tuition and living expenses can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, several accredited medical schools provide quality education at a much lower cost than many people expect.

In this guide, you will discover the cheapest medical schools in the U.S. for both domestic and international students. We will compare tuition fees, admission requirements, and other important costs that can affect your budget. As a result, you can identify schools that match both your academic goals and your financial situation.

Additionally, we will share practical tips on how to reduce your expenses through scholarships, financial aid, grants, and in-state tuition opportunities. Whether you are applying for the first time or exploring affordable alternatives, this guide will help you make a smarter decision for your medical career.

Keep reading to find the most affordable medical schools in the United States and learn how to earn your medical degree without taking on unnecessary debt.

Cheapest Medical Schools in the U.S.

1. East Carolina University (Brody School of Medicine)

East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine is located in Greenville, North Carolina. It is one of the few medical schools that charge annual tuition below $20,000. About 80% of medical students in this college receive a scholarship or grant which enables students to graduate with about $52,100 less in medical school debt.

Annual tuition is $18,159 for in-state students, and the average medical school debt a student graduates with is $112,692.

2. University of New Mexico School of Medicine

The University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine located in Albuquerque, New Mexico offers low tuition, in addition to the low tuition, the college also offers an even higher rate of institutional aid.

With these factors keeping costs low, graduates can limit student debt to about $38,000 which is less than the average. About 87% of medical students receive financial aid.

Annual tuition is $15,798  for in-state students and the average medical school debt is $126,783

3. Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine is located in Houston, Texas. BC has the third-lowest average student loan balance on this list. About 60% of medical students at Baylor College of Medicine receive from students at this college.

And it’s one of just three medical schools where the average graduate leaves with under $100,000 in student debt. Annual tuition is $19,650  for in-state students, and the average medical school debt is $99,882

4. Texas A&M College of Medicine

Texas A&M College of Medicine has one of the lowest tuition rates of any medical school on this list. Aside from the low cost of tuition, this school of medicine

These low costs, along with high rates of institutional aid, mean it’s relatively easy for graduates to minimize their medical school debt here, about 78% of medical students receive financial aid.

Annual tuition is $13,790 for in-state students, and the average medical school debt is $128,797.

5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a highly reputed medical school not only for its quality of  education but also for its low student loan rates

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, has the highest tuition rates out of the 10 schools listed here but Mayo Clinic’s scholarships and grants significantly offset these costs.

Mayo Clinic offers graduates one of the lowest levels of any medical school debt on this list, students owe about $95,100 less than the study’s average. 9% of the students receive financial aid.

Annual tuition costs about $49,900 and the average medical school debt is $69,695.

6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine charges the fourth-lowest tuition of any medical school on this list. About 72% of medical students receive financial aid.

Annual tuition for Texas Tech medical program is $15,016 for in-state, and the average medical school debt is $129,454.

7. University of Central Florida College of Medicine

The University of Central Florida College of Medicine is located in Orlando, Florida. It takes the top spot for institutional aid as 100% of students receive a scholarship or grant. Additionally, the tuition rate is also low which makes it easy for students to avoid owing students debts.

Annual tuition for the University of Central Florida’s medical program is $25,491 for in-state students. Average medical school debt is $138,728, and students’ financial gift aid is 100%.

8. University of California (David Geffen School of Medicine) -Los Angeles 

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA ties with the Mayo Clinic as the school offers the third-highest rate of institutional aid among these top 20 medical schools.

These scholarships and grants help alumni of this school avoid around $47,200 in medical school debt, on average. About 91% of medical students benefit from the financial aid program offered by the school.

David Geffen School of Medicine’s annual tuition is $32,757 for in-state students, and the average medical school debt is $117,590.

9. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers financial aid, scholarships, and grants to half of the students enrolled in the school.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical program’s annual tuition is $18,493 for in-state students.  The average medical school debt is $109,350 and about 52% of students receive financial aid.

Read More: UNILAG Cut Off Mark For All Courses For 2026/2027 Admission

10. University of Texas Health Science Center at ​San Antonio

University of Texas Health Science Center charges the third lowest tuition in this survey thereby helping students save around $24,600 a year.

These low costs and above-average institutional aid put the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, among the cheapest medical schools in the U.S. 55% of students at this college benefit from financial aid.

Annual tuition at the University of Texas Health Science Center is $14,500 for in-state students, and the average medical school debt incurred by students is $120,529.

This educational content was carefully researched and prepared by the editorial team at Labari Web Education to support students, researchers, educators, and lifelong learners. Our goal is to provide practical, accurate, and easy, to, understand resources for JAMB, POST, UTME, WAEC, WAEC/GCE, NECO, undergraduate studies, postgraduate research, thesis and dissertation writing, academic success, scholarships, and career development. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to verify official information where applicable.

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