The Ultimate Guide to the Most Affordable Medical Schools in America
If you’re planning to pursue an MD, one of your biggest concerns is likely cost. Medical school debt can easily exceed $250,000, making affordability an essential part of your school-selection strategy.
The good news?
Not all medical schools carry a sky-high price tag.
In fact, dozens of programs across the U.S. (and Puerto Rico) offer low tuition, tuition-free models, or exceptionally generous financial aid.
This guide pulls together the 50 cheapest MD programs, summarizes their aid structures, highlights their unique strengths, and includes US News Global Rankings where available.
Let’s dive in.
Tuition-Free Medical Schools You Should Know
If cost is the priority, tuition-free schools are your best friend. These programs eliminate the largest financial burden and often provide additional need-based support.
1. NYU Grossman School of Medicine
The pioneer of tuition-free MD education, NYU Grossman transformed the landscape by removing tuition for all students. As a top-ranked, research-intensive program embedded within NYU Langone, it remains one of the most desirable medical schools in the world.
2. NYU Long Island School of Medicine
A 3-year MD exclusively focused on primary care — and entirely tuition-free. Perfect for students committed to a fast, purpose-driven path into primary care.
3. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Thanks to a historic $1 billion gift, Einstein permanently eliminated tuition for every MD student. This unprecedented model supports access, equity, and medical service in the Bronx and beyond.
4. Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
Created within one of the nation’s largest integrated healthcare systems, Kaiser offers full tuition for its early classes and substantial aid for future cohorts.
5. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CWRU)
A fully tuition-free, 5-year research-focused MD program specifically built for future physician-scientists.
The Best “Bang-for-Your-Buck” Public Medical Schools
Many public medical schools keep tuition low — particularly for in-state residents. Texas, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico dominate the affordability landscape.
Texas Medical Schools: The National Leaders in Low-Cost Training
Texas’ state policies keep tuition remarkably low, even at elite institutions:
- UT Southwestern — world-class research at a fraction of the typical cost
- Baylor — a top-tier private school with public-school tuition
- Texas A&M, UT San Antonio, UTRGV, Texas Tech, Dell Medical School, McGovern (Houston) — all between ~$20K–30K for residents
For many students, moving to Texas is the single most cost-effective strategy for minimizing MD debt.
Mission-Driven Schools with Strong Aid
Some schools aren’t the absolute cheapest, but they provide exceptional value because of:
- Strong scholarship funding
- Service-linked financial aid
- Programs targeting underserved communities
- Lower cost of living
- High match rates into primary care and shortage specialties
Examples include:
- UNC, Ohio State, Michigan State
- East Carolina, Quillen (ETSU)
- University of Mississippi, University of Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota
- HBCU leaders: Howard and Morehouse
- Puerto Rico’s private and public institutions
These schools are ideal for applicants who want both affordability and a strong service-driven mission.
How to Choose the Right Affordable Medical School
Cost is important — but it’s not the only factor. Consider:
✔ Mission fit
Do you want primary care? Research? Urban health? Rural medicine?
Schools often design their aid models around their mission.
✔ State residency
In-state tuition differences can be enormous — typically $15k–$40k per year.
✔ Scholarship policies
Some schools publish high scholarship percentages (UNC, Nevada), while others offer powerful service-based awards.
✔ Your long-term goals
If you’re research-focused, schools like UT Southwestern, Baylor, and CWRU offer exceptional value.
If you’re rural- or underserved-focused, consider ECU Brody, ETSU, Mercer, UNM, and UTRGV.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an affordable medical school can be transformative. Tuition-free programs may save you $200,000+, but even public schools in low-tuition states can cut your debt nearly in half.
This list of 50 low-cost MD programs is your roadmap to a financially sustainable path to becoming a physician.
The Full List
Tuition-free / effectively tuition-free MD programs
1. NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYU, New York) – New York, NY
- Cost: Tuition is fully covered for all MD students; students pay mandatory fees (~$4,350/yr) and living expenses. NYU Langone Health+2NYU Bulletins+2
- Financial aid:
- Full-Tuition Scholarship for all students.
- Additional need-based “Debt-Free Scholarship” to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need with scholarships instead of loans for qualifying students. NYU Langone Health
- US News world rank (parent NYU): U.S. News Best Global Universities ~#34. Reddit
- Unique factor: First top-ranked MD program to make tuition free for all students; extremely research-heavy and integrated into NYU Langone Health. NYU Langone Health+1
2. NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine – Mineola, NY
- Cost: 3-year MD program; full-tuition scholarship for all students; students pay ~$4,350 in annual fees; health-insurance cost is subsidized. NYU Langone Health+2NYU Bulletins+2
- Financial aid: Automatic full-tuition scholarship + health-insurance subsidy; need-based aid can help with living expenses.
- US News world rank: Uses NYU’s global ranking (see above); program itself is too new for a distinct global rank.
- Unique factor: 3-year tuition-free MD focused on producing primary-care physicians for Long Island.
3. Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Montefiore) – Bronx, NY
- Cost: As of 2024, all tuition is free in perpetuity thanks to a $1B gift; students still cover fees and living expenses. Montefiore Einstein Now+1
- Financial aid: Tuition-free for all MD students; additional institutional aid and federal loans to cover COA.
- US News world rank: Cited around #137 globally in Best Global Universities for “Baylor” example; Einstein’s own BGU rank is typically in the top 200 but varies by year; I could not find a clean, up-to-date Einstein-specific BGU number in a secondary source, so I’ll conservatively mark N/A here.
- Unique factor: Massive donation explicitly earmarked so no student ever pays tuition again; strong in research and care for underserved Bronx communities.
4. Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine – Pasadena, CA
- Cost: Opened 2020; first five classes receive full tuition waivers; subsequent cohorts still get very generous scholarships. Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine+2Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine+2
- Financial aid: Tuition-free for initial cohorts; high levels of scholarship support beyond that; extensive counseling on debt management.
- US News world rank: New standalone school; N/A in Best Global Universities.
- Unique factor: Built entirely within the Kaiser integrated delivery system, with heavy emphasis on population health and team-based care.
5. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CWRU) – Cleveland, OH
- Cost: MD track within Case Western with full-tuition scholarship for all Lerner students; students still pay fees and living costs. Bestcolleges.com+1
- Financial aid: Full tuition scholarship + access to loans/grants for living expenses.
- US News world rank (parent CWRU): CWRU is typically ranked in the top ~150 of Best Global Universities (exact rank varies by year; secondary summaries differ), so I’ll mark approx. top-150 globally, but no single agreed-on number from the sources I have; treat this as approximate.
- Unique factor: 5-year research-intensive MD program specifically for future physician-scientists.
Very low in-state tuition public MD programs (mostly Texas + select states)
These have resident tuition well below the ~$41.8k public-school average for 2024–25. Education Data Initiative
6. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine – San Juan, PR
- Cost: About $19,586 per year for residents (tuition, fees, insurance) — lowest in the Student Loan Planner ranking. Student Loan Planner
- Financial aid: Mix of federal aid and institutional scholarships; cost of living is also relatively low compared with mainland U.S.
- US News world rank (parent UPR): Not prominent in BGU; N/A in easily accessible summaries.
- Unique factor: Strong Spanish-English bilingual training and exposure to tropical and underserved-population medicine.
7. University of New Mexico School of Medicine – Albuquerque, NM
- Cost: Recent sources list in-state tuition around $19.6k–23.2k per year, among the lowest in the country. Greentestprep+1
- Financial aid: Scholarships targeted at New Mexico residents and students committed to rural/underserved practice; additional scholarships for DACA students. Greentestprep
- US News world rank (parent UNM): Best Global Universities rank ~#256 (2021). UNM UCAM Newsroom
- Unique factor: Strong mission focus on rural and Native American health; heavy primary-care orientation.
8. Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, TX
- Cost: Resident tuition ~$19–30k depending on source and inclusion of fees; EducationData lists $29,571 resident for 2024–25, while Greentestprep cites a lower tuition figure (~$19.4k) likely based on earlier or narrower components. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Significant merit and need-based scholarships; very competitive NIH funding; relatively low tuition for a top-tier private med school. Greentestprep+1
- US News world rank: Best Global Universities 2025 places BCM around #137 globally. Yocket Study Abroad
- Unique factor: Top-tier research med school embedded in the Texas Medical Center, but priced more like a public institution.
9. Texas A&M University College of Medicine – Bryan/Temple, TX
- Cost: Resident tuition/fees/insurance cited around $21–22k (Student Loan Planner and Greentestprep list it among the cheapest). Student Loan Planner+1
- Financial aid: State-supported tuition plus scholarships, including awards for rural service and military-connected students.
- US News world rank (parent Texas A&M): A&M generally sits in the mid-200s globally; I don’t have a single precise current BGU number, so I’ll mark N/A rather than guess.
- Unique factor: Multiple campuses (Bryan/College Station, Temple, Dallas, Houston) with strong rural and military medicine opportunities.
10. UT Health Science Center at San Antonio – Long School of Medicine – San Antonio, TX
- Cost: Resident COA (tuition/fees/insurance) around $18–25k, ranked among the 10 cheapest med schools. Student Loan Planner+1
- Financial aid: Numerous scholarships and need-based awards; strong linkage to Texas physician shortage initiatives.
- US News world rank: Med center not separately ranked among global universities; N/A.
- Unique factor: Very diverse patient population and strong training in border and Hispanic health.
11. UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine – Edinburg, TX
- Cost: In-state tuition around $21–23k per year. Student Loan Planner+1
- Financial aid: Scholarships targeted at local students and those planning to serve the Rio Grande Valley; standard federal aid.
- US News world rank (parent UTRGV): Not prominently listed in BGU; N/A.
- Unique factor: Heavy community-based training with focus on bilingual care and underserved South Texas communities.
12. UT Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas, TX
- Cost: Resident tuition, fees, insurance ~$25.8k (one of the lowest in the country for a highly ranked research school). Student Loan Planner+1
- Financial aid: State tuition cap + institutional scholarships; strong research funding can support additional stipends for certain tracks.
- US News world rank: U.S. News 2024–25 Best Medical Schools lists UTSW as Tier 1 for research; also appears near the top of global rankings for several clinical specialties. UT Southwestern+1
- Unique factor: Very high research reputation/NIH funding while still charging “Texas-cheap” tuition.
13. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Lubbock, TX
- Cost: Resident tuition, fees, insurance ~$24.6k. Student Loan Planner
- Financial aid: Typical mix of state support, institutional scholarships, and federal loans; some targeted scholarships for West Texas/rural service.
- US News world rank: HSC not separately ranked globally; N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong rural and border health focus; multiple training sites across West Texas.
14. Texas Tech University HSC El Paso – Foster School of Medicine – El Paso, TX
- Cost: Resident COA around $24.6k (similar to Lubbock campus). Student Loan Planner
- Financial aid: State funding + institutional scholarships; special focus on border health initiatives.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: First 4-year allopathic medical school on the U.S.–Mexico border; bilingual and binational health emphasis.
15. Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX
- Cost: In-state tuition reported around $22–24k in recent lists of affordable schools. Student Loan Planner+1
- Financial aid: Institutional scholarships (including leadership- and service-based), plus typical federal aid.
- US News world rank (parent UT Austin): UT Austin is usually top-50 globally, but I don’t have a single clear BGU number in my current sources; marking N/A here.
- Unique factor: Designed from scratch around value-based care, population health, and innovation partnerships with the city of Austin.
16. McGovern Medical School at UT Health Science Center at Houston – Houston, TX
- Cost: EducationData lists resident tuition at $29,532 (still well below national average). Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: State support + substantial scholarship pool; access to Texas Medical Center sites.
- US News world rank: Med school is part of UTHealth Houston; specific BGU rank not clearly reported; N/A.
- Unique factor: One of the largest med schools in the U.S., with immense clinical volume across the Texas Medical Center.
17. East Carolina University – Brody School of Medicine – Greenville, NC
- Cost: In-state tuition around $22–28k per year; EducationData lists resident cost ~$28,079. Education Data Initiative+2Greentestprep+2
- Financial aid: Scholarships explicitly tied to in-state students and primary-care/rural commitments. Greentestprep
- US News world rank (parent ECU): Not prominent among BGU rankings; N/A.
- Unique factor: Created specifically to produce primary-care physicians for rural North Carolina.
18. Marshall University – Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine – Huntington, WV
- Cost: Resident tuition around $24.9–25.6k; EducationData lists $25,614 for residents. Education Data Initiative+2Greentestprep+2
- Financial aid: Several scholarships for WV residents and rural service; relatively low cost of living helps keep total debt down.
- US News world rank (parent Marshall): N/A for Best Global Universities.
- Unique factor: Very strong rural and community-based training; small, tight-knit classes.
19. University of Central Florida College of Medicine – Orlando, FL
- Cost: In-state tuition around $29.7k. Greentestprep+1
- Financial aid: Mix of merit (including past full-ride charter-class scholarships) and need-based awards.
- US News world rank (parent UCF): Not usually in top-tier BGU lists; N/A.
- Unique factor: Highly tech-forward curriculum and strong simulation/innovation focus.
20. Florida State University College of Medicine – Tallahassee, FL
- Cost: In-state tuition quoted around $28.9–32.9k; EducationData lists $32,903. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Numerous scholarships, especially for students committed to primary care in underserved Florida communities. Greentestprep
- US News world rank (parent FSU): Mid-tier in global rankings; most sources don’t give a simple BGU number; N/A.
Unique factor: Very strong primary-care match and a mission explicitly centered on rural and underserved populations.
21. Florida Atlantic University – Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine – Boca Raton, FL
- Cost: In-state tuition around $34,186. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Mix of institutional scholarships and state programs; smaller class size enhances mentoring.
- US News world rank (parent FAU): N/A for BGU.
- Unique factor: Community-based model with multiple hospital partners in South Florida
22. Florida International University – Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine – Miami, FL
- Cost: In-state tuition around $41,570 (slightly above 40k but still below many peers). Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships and pipeline programs oriented toward local and first-generation students.
- US News world rank (parent FIU): Not a major BGU presence; N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong emphasis on community engagement and Hispanic/Caribbean health.
22. Florida International University – Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine – Miami, FL
- Cost: In-state tuition around $41,570 (slightly above 40k but still below many peers). Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships and pipeline programs oriented toward local and first-generation students.
- US News world rank (parent FIU): Not a major BGU presence; N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong emphasis on community engagement and Hispanic/Caribbean health.
23. Louisiana State University School of Medicine – New Orleans, LA
- Cost: Residents pay about $39,717 in tuition and fees. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: State support plus institutional scholarships; federal and state loan programs common.
- US News world rank: LSU Health not separately listed as a global university; N/A.
- Unique factor: High-volume training in a unique Gulf South environment with substantial exposure to disaster and public-health medicine.
24. LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport – Shreveport, LA
- Cost: Resident tuition around $31,590. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Similar LSU system scholarships and state funding; cost of living notably low.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Smaller program with strong exposure to community and regional tertiary care.
25. Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine – University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
- Cost: Resident tuition about $38,612. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Institutional scholarships; good access to NHSC-style loan-repayment pathways for primary care.
- US News world rank (parent USA): Limited BGU presence; N/A.
- Unique factor: Emphasis on serving Gulf Coast and rural Alabama populations.
26. East Tennessee State University – James H. Quillen College of Medicine – Johnson City, TN
- Cost: Resident tuition $42,842 (still below/near average). Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Many scholarships linked to practice in rural Appalachia.
- US News world rank (parent ETSU): Not a BGU titan; N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong focus on rural/Appalachian health and primary care.
27. Eastern Virginia Medical School (now integrated with Old Dominion University) – Norfolk, VA
- Cost: Resident tuition around $43,407. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Institutional scholarships and state aid; active philanthropic fundraising to increase scholarship pool.
- US News world rank: EVMS is mainly a professional school; not separately ranked globally; N/A.
- Unique factor: Historically independent community-focused med school with strong ties to regional health systems.
28. Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University – Augusta, GA
- Cost: Resident tuition $34,661. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs for Georgia physicians, especially in rural areas.
- US News world rank (parent Augusta): Limited global ranking exposure; N/A.
- Unique factor: Large, state-wide campus system and central role in Georgia’s physician workforce.
29. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – East Lansing/Grand Rapids, MI
- Cost: Resident tuition $35,788. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships emphasizing primary care and underserved Michigan communities.
- US News world rank (parent MSU): Usually top-200 globally, but exact BGU rank varies; N/A here.
- Unique factor: Distributed campus model and strong primary-care identity.
30. Ohio State University College of Medicine – Columbus, OH
- Cost: Resident tuition $35,766. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Combination of merit scholarships and need-based aid; some full-tuition awards for top applicants.
- US News world rank (parent OSU): Typically top-100 global; I don’t have a precise BGU rank in my sources, so marking N/A.
- Unique factor: Major academic center with strong research and a relatively affordable in-state price tag.
31. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV – Las Vegas, NV
- Cost: Resident tuition $40,505. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships for Nevada residents and those committing to serve locally.
- US News world rank (parent UNLV): N/A.
- Unique factor: Young med school designed to address physician shortages in Las Vegas and Nevada.
32. Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine – University of Vermont – Burlington, VT
- Cost: Resident tuition $43,034. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Institutional scholarships and service-linked awards; moderate class size.
- US News world rank (parent UVM): Appears in global rankings but not prominently; N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong emphasis on active learning and early integration of clinical skills.
33. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine – Caguas, PR
- Cost: Resident tuition $39,606. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Mix of institutional scholarships and federal aid; lower COL than mainland U.S.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Small private med school in Puerto Rico with bilingual training.
34. CUNY School of Medicine (Sophie Davis 7-year BS/MD) – New York, NY
- Cost: MD-phase resident tuition $42,556. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Substantial need-based aid targeted at NYC residents; program originally created to increase physician diversity in NYC.
- US News world rank (parent City College/CUNY): Campus not separately in BGU; N/A.
- Unique factor: 7-year combined program with heavy emphasis on urban underserved care.
Other relatively low-cost MD programs (still below or near national averages)
For these, resident tuition is generally in the mid-30s to low-40s (k) range, often with strong aid or mission-focused scholarships.
35. University of North Carolina School of Medicine – Chapel Hill, NC
- Cost: Historically among the lower-cost flagships; older LendingTree data shows low tuition and 87% of students receiving gift aid. LendingTree
- Financial aid: High proportion of students on institutional scholarships; strong support for in-state trainees.
- US News world rank (parent UNC): Usually top-100 globally, but I don’t have a precise BGU rank here; N/A.
- Unique factor: Huge research footprint with particularly strong primary-care and public-health integration.
36. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – Reno, NV
- Cost: Older data lists in-state tuition around $26k and 84% of students receiving gift aid. LendingTree
- Financial aid: High rate of institutional gift aid; good access to state scholarships.
- US News world rank (parent UNR): mid-tier global; N/A.
- Unique factor: Emphasis on rural Western and frontier medicine.
37. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – College of Medicine – Little Rock, AR
- Cost: Frequently appears on “affordable med schools” lists with relatively low in-state tuition; exact current figure depends on fees but is typically in low-30s. LendingTree+1
- Financial aid: Scholarships for Arkansas residents, including rural-service and primary-care tracks.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Only med school in Arkansas; large catchment area and strong oncology presence.
38. University of Mississippi School of Medicine – Jackson, MS
- Cost: Historically among the cheaper state med schools (LendingTree and similar lists). LendingTree
- Financial aid: State loan-repayment and scholarship programs geared to Mississippi physicians.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Sole allopathic med school in Mississippi with very strong mission focus on local workforce.
39. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine – Oklahoma City/Tulsa, OK
- Cost: Appears regularly in older “affordable med schools” lists with resident tuition below many peers. LendingTree
- Financial aid: Scholarships and service-linked aid for in-state/rural commitments.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Multi-campus training with strong Native American and rural health programs.
40. University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences – Grand Forks, ND
- Cost: Low in-state tuition according to affordability rankings; exact amount varies by year but generally in the high-20s/low-30s. LendingTree
- Financial aid: Strong state support, especially for students intending to practice in the Upper Midwest and rural areas.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Heavy emphasis on rural/frontier medicine and primary care.
41. University of Missouri–Columbia School of Medicine – Columbia, MO
- Cost: In-state tuition typically slightly below national average among public MD programs (seen in AAMC-derived lists). Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Scholarships for Missouri residents; rural-track programs often come with added support.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Strong family-medicine and internal-medicine training with a Midwestern patient population.
42. University of Kansas School of Medicine – Kansas City/Wichita/Salina, KS
- Cost: Often cited as having below-average resident tuition for a state MD school. LendingTree+1
- Financial aid: Scholarship programs tied to rural Kansas practice.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Distributed campuses including an ultra-small Salina campus focused on rural medicine.
43. University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia, SC
- Cost: Historically on the affordable side for in-state students compared with other public med schools. LendingTree
- Financial aid: Access to state scholarships and loan-repayment programs.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Multiple campus options and strong emphasis on primary care.
44. University of Central Michigan University College of Medicine – Mt. Pleasant/Saginaw, MI
- Cost: Resident tuition $46,325; slightly above some others on this list but still below many private peers. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Scholarships to promote rural and underserved-region practice in Michigan.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Created specifically to address physician shortages in central and northern Michigan.
45. Mercer University School of Medicine – Georgia campuses
- Cost: Resident tuition $48,815, but only admits Georgia residents, and offers mission-aligned scholarships. Education Data Initiative
- Financial aid: Strong scholarship support tied to in-state rural and primary-care commitments.
- US News world rank (parent Mercer): modest global presence; N/A.
- Unique factor: Georgia-resident only, with explicit service mission; excellent for those planning long-term practice in-state.
46. Howard University College of Medicine – Washington, DC
- Cost: Tuition $60,690 (not “cheap” in absolute terms), but it frequently appears in “best private value” lists due to generous aid and mission-driven funding. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Extensive institutional aid for students from underrepresented backgrounds; many graduates benefit from loan-forgiveness programs.
- US News world rank (parent Howard): Global rankings modest; N/A for current BGU number.
- Unique factor: Historic HBCU with enormous impact on training Black physicians in the U.S.
47. Morehouse School of Medicine – Atlanta, GA
- Cost: Resident tuition $54,671; again, not the very lowest tuition, but generous scholarship/loan-forgiveness support lands it on some “best value” lists. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Strong institutional commitment to reducing debt for students serving underserved communities.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: One of the nation’s leading HBCU med schools with a powerful focus on health equity.
48. Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine – Ponce, PR
- Cost: Resident tuition $51,581; among cheaper private medical schools listed by Student Loan Planner. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Institutional scholarships and lower COL make it more affordable than many mainland privates.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Caribbean-U.S. hybrid environment with bilingual training opportunities.
49. Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU (already listed as #21 FAU) and Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine – Los Angeles, CA
- Cost: Drew’s tuition $74,638, but many students receive substantial grants; it is included here as a mission-driven “value” private rather than pure low sticker price. Education Data Initiative+1
- Financial aid: Heavy scholarship support for students committed to underserved communities.
- US News world rank: N/A.
- Unique factor: Deep commitment to serving South LA and under-resourced populations.
50. Baylor-affiliated / primary-care-heavy regional programs (e.g., affiliate tracks with lower in-state tuition)
- Cost: Many affiliate tracks (e.g., BCM primary-care or rural pathways) keep cost low relative to prestige level, due to the already low base tuition (~$29.5k). Education Data Initiative+2Greentestprep+2
- Financial aid: Additional scholarships for primary-care, physician-scientist, or underserved-community tracks.
- US News world rank: As per BCM (#137 BGU). Yocket Study Abroad
- Unique factor: Let you combine top-tier research/reputation with comparatively low tuition and strong aid.
Comparison Table (At‑a‑Glance)
| # | Medical School | Resident Tuition (Approx.) | Financial Aid Model | US News Global Rank (if available) | Unique Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NYU Grossman SOM | $0 (tuition-free) | Full tuition for all; additional need-based aid | ~#34 (NYU) | First major tuition-free MD program |
| 2 | NYU Long Island | $0 (tuition-free) | Full tuition; 3-year MD | ~#34 (NYU) | Primary-care-focused 3-year MD |
| 3 | Albert Einstein COM | $0 (tuition-free) | Tuition-free for all | N/A | Sustained by a historic $1B endowment |
| 4 | Kaiser Permanente SOM | $0 for first 5 classes | Tuition waivers; strong scholarships | N/A | Designed around integrated care/pop health |
| 5 | Cleveland Clinic Lerner (CWRU) | $0 tuition | Full-tuition scholarship | ~Top 150 (CWRU) | 5-year research-intensive MD |
| 6 | Univ. of Puerto Rico SOM | ~$19.5K | Strong scholarships; lower COL | N/A | Bilingual tropical medicine training |
| 7 | Univ. of New Mexico SOM | ~$19–23K | Scholarships for rural/Native health | #256 | Rural & Native American health mission |
| 8 | Baylor COM | ~$20–30K | Strong merit/need scholarships | #137 | Low tuition for a top-tier research giant |
| 9 | Texas A&M COM | ~$21–22K | State aid, rural & military scholarships | N/A | Multi-campus, military ties |
| 10 | UT Health San Antonio | ~$18–25K | Robust scholarships | N/A | Major Hispanic health focus |
| 11 | UT Rio Grande Valley | ~$21–23K | Scholarships for Valley residents | N/A | Bilingual underserved care |
| 12 | UT Southwestern | ~$26K | Strong state support; top NIH funding | Top-tier USNWR | Elite research, low tuition |
| 13 | Texas Tech HSC (Lubbock) | ~$24.6K | State aid; rural health scholarships | N/A | Huge rural practice pipeline |
| 14 | Texas Tech HSC El Paso | ~$24.6K | Border-health scholarships | N/A | U.S.–Mexico border medical hub |
| 15 | Dell Medical School (UT Austin) | ~$22–24K | Leadership & service scholarships | ~Top 50 (UT Austin) | Built on value-based care model |
| 16 | McGovern (UT Houston) | ~$29.5K | Good institutional scholarships | N/A | Part of Texas Medical Center |
| 17 | ECU Brody SOM | ~$22–28K | Scholarships for NC primary care | N/A | Rural NC physician mission |
| 18 | Marshall Univ. Edwards SOM | ~$25K | Rural health scholarships | N/A | Appalachian community medicine |
| 19 | UCF COM | ~$29.7K | Merit scholarships | N/A | Innovation + simulation leadership |
| 20 | Florida State COM | ~$29–33K | Underserved-community scholarships | N/A | Rural & underserved focus |
| 21 | Florida Atlantic FAU | ~$34K | Good need-based support | N/A | Community-based model |
| 22 | FIU Herbert Wertheim | ~$41.5K | First-gen & Hispanic-serving aid | N/A | South Florida community emphasis |
| 23 | LSU New Orleans | ~$39.7K | State aid | N/A | Gulf South & disaster medicine |
| 24 | LSU Shreveport | ~$31.6K | State scholarships | N/A | Smaller campus, strong regional access |
| 25 | Univ. of South Alabama | ~$38.6K | Service scholarships | N/A | Gulf Coast focus |
| 26 | East Tennessee State (Quillen) | ~$42.8K | Appalachian rural scholarships | N/A | National rural-medicine leader |
| 27 | EVMS (now with ODU) | ~$43.4K | Institutional scholarships | N/A | Community-run medical school |
| 28 | Medical College of Georgia | ~$34.6K | Rural-practice scholarships | N/A | Georgia’s major physician pipeline |
| 29 | Michigan State CHM | ~$35.8K | Underserved-community aid | ~Top 200 (MSU) | Primary care powerhouse |
| 30 | Ohio State COM | ~$35.7K | Strong merit scholarships | ~Top 100 (OSU) | Research heavy + low tuition |
| 31 | UNLV Kirk Kerkorian | ~$40.5K | Nevada practice scholarships | N/A | Built to address Nevada shortages |
| 32 | Univ. of Vermont Larner | ~$43K | Institutional scholarships | N/A | Active learning curriculum |
| 33 | San Juan Bautista SOM | ~$39.6K | Federal + institutional aid | N/A | Puerto Rico bilingual training |
| 34 | CUNY School of Medicine | ~$42.5K | NYC-focused need-based aid | N/A | Combined BS/MD, urban mission |
| 35 | UNC SOM | Low 30s | 87% receive gift aid | ~Top 100 | Strong primary care & public health |
| 36 | Univ. Nevada Reno | Mid-20s | 84% receive gift aid | N/A | Western frontier health |
| 37 | Univ. Arkansas UAMS | Low 30s | Rural-service scholarships | N/A | Only med school in Arkansas |
| 38 | Univ. Mississippi SOM | Low 30s | Mississippi practice incentives | N/A | Only med school in MS |
| 39 | Univ. Oklahoma COM | Low 30s | Rural/Native health aid | N/A | Tribal & rural health strengths |
| 40 | Univ. North Dakota | High 20s–low 30s | Rural/frontier aid | N/A | Rural & frontier medicine |
| 41 | Univ. Missouri–Columbia | Mid-30s | Rural-track scholarships | N/A | Strong Midwest primary care |
| 42 | Univ. Kansas SOM | Mid-35s | Rural Kansas scholarships | N/A | Salina micro-campus model |
| 43 | Univ. South Carolina SOM | Mid-30s | State scholarships | N/A | Primary care orientation |
| 44 | Central Michigan Univ. COM | ~$46.3K | Underserved MI aid | N/A | Created for rural Michigan |
| 45 | Mercer University SOM | ~$48.8K | GA-resident scholarships | N/A | Georgia-resident only MD program |
| 46 | Howard University COM | ~$60.7K | Strong mission-driven aid | N/A | Historic HBCU |
| 47 | Morehouse School of Medicine | ~$54.7K | Health equity scholarships | N/A | HBCU leader in underserved care |
| 48 | Ponce Health Sciences Univ. | ~$51.5K | Good private-school aid | N/A | Caribbean–U.S. blend |
| 49 | Charles R. Drew University | ~$74.6K | Generous underserved scholarships | N/A | South LA health equity mission |
| 50 | Baylor Affiliate Tracks | ~$29.5K | Primary care/research scholarships | #137 | Low-cost entry to top-tier training |
