How US Compares With the Rest of the World

US medical school students are aware of the cost of their education and the fact that they more than likely will graduate with a big debt to repay. But how does that compare with the rest of the world? Is the United States the hardest place to afford college? What other factors play into the overall cost of medical school education?

For an answer to the first question — the cost — hands down, the United States is the most expensive country in which to attend medical school. On average, a public university will charge a US student $32,700 per year to attend medical school. In Europe, the numbers can vary substantially, but they may range from free/€100 to €18,000 (or about $109-$20,000) annually. If you consider medical schools in the Caribbean, tuition fees will run about $8200-$23,350 per year.

When considering the costs of medical school, students must also account for the cost of undergraduate school. In this category, the United States is also a much more expensive country in which to obtain a degree. The average cost of undergraduate school at an instate, public university is $25,000 annually; for out-of-state, that number reaches over $40,000. And that’s not considering private school tuitions. Compared with Canada, the average public university education is just $5172; in Australia, $10,429-$22,937; and in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, tuition ranges from free to an average of $7256.

When comparing medical school tuition, it’s important to also factor in the cost of living from one location to the next. Within the United States, that can vary widely. The same holds true on a global level.

Living expenses should consider rent, transportation, groceries, entertainment, and more. Here’s a place where the United States remains high, but not necessarily far and above other nations.

Annual living expenses in the United Kingdom, for instance, run from > $17,500 to $27,600; in the United States, you’re looking at $18,600-$37,000; in Europe, the numbers drop to $9300-$20,000; and in the Caribbean, it averages between $10,000 and $14,800.

Cost is just one factor when considering a choice in medical school, but it’s also one of the biggest when it comes to how impactful your education may be on your life going forward after graduation.

When considering school abroad, factor in the quality of the school you’re choosing and how well-regarded it might be when returning to practice in the United States. Look for accredited, internationally recognized medical schools, investigate your opportunities to work abroad while studying there as an avenue to offset costs, and consider the holistic picture when making your final choices.

Ultimately, you want to keep your debt as low as possible while also receiving the education you need to carry you through a lifetime.