The Ohio State University College of Medicine is among the top medical schools in the nation for affordability. With the advantages of lower tuition rates, in-state residency cost savings, scholarships, financial aid, and a lower cost of living in a thriving metropolitan community all come together to make Ohio State the best choice for your medical education.
Cost of Attendance
Ohio State is one of the most affordable schools out of the nation’s top medical schools when it comes to lower tuition, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges report. Ohio State’s average debt load is lower than most other public schools.
The Cost of Attendance represents an estimate of what the College of Medicine, in cooperation with The Ohio State University, has determined to be reasonable expenses that a student might incur while attending medical school for a specific academic year. The Cost of Attendance is significant because it determines the amount of total financial aid a student can receive for that academic year. Please note that all budget components are subject to review and revision each year.
For the most current information on tuition & fees, please refer to the Tuition & Fee tables posted on the University Registrar's website.
Personal Budget
The Office of Student Financial Services strongly encourages students to create a written personal budget. This will determine if expenses are greater or less than our estimated Cost of Attendance. Students should not assume that they will need the maximum level of funding allowed by the Cost of Attendance. A student's personal expenses such as housing, food, utilities, and other costs can only be considered for semesters that the student is actively enrolled at least half-time.
The Ohio State University and the College of Medicine make every effort to help students with limited financial resources secure needed funds. If after completing a budget you determine that your expenses are greater than the standard Cost of Attendance, please email The Office of Student Financial Services at medfinaid@osumc.edu. We can then discuss what options may be available for addressing your specific needs.College of Medicine Cost of Attendance
Types of Student Aid
Loans
Federal loans made available to students in the MD Program include the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. The specific amounts awarded to a student depend on financial need as determined by the FAFSA, the student’s Cost of Attendance, remaining aggregate borrowing eligibility of an individual student, and enrollment. Before a federal educational loan request is certified for a student, the university is required to verify that the borrower has an eligible U.S. citizenship status and that he/she is not in default on prior federal student loans from any institution attended in the past.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans – Ohio State participates in the Direct Lending Program, which uses information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine federal loan eligibility. This loan does not require a credit check for approval. The maximum annual Stafford loan eligibility for a first-year medical student is $40,500, increasing to $47,167 in the student’s third year, as long as the student does not exceed the aggregate maximum of $224,000.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans – This loan is an additional loan option beyond the Stafford loan. This loan requires a credit check for approval. The maximum annual Grad PLUS loan eligibility for a medical student is the difference between the cost of attendance and the student’s other financial aid. To apply for the Stafford loan and/or the Grad PLUS loan, students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Please use Ohio State’s Federal Code: 003090.
Learn more about financial aid at The Ohio State University by visiting Student Financial Aid.
Scholarships
Ohio State is in the top 30% of U.S. medical schools for scholarship and grant funding. This substantial level of scholarship support coupled with the affordable cost of living in Columbus allows our students to graduate with student loan debt significantly below the national average for medical school graduates. Scholarships are based on merit, academic achievement, leadership, professionalism and other criteria are available through The Ohio State University, the College of Medicine, alumni endowments, and private and publicly funded organizations.
Merit-based scholarships
All accepted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, which range in value of up to full tuition - no scholarship application is needed. Students who are not initially awarded a merit-based scholarship will have the opportunity to gain scholarship eligibility during medical school based on academic achievement, leadership, professionalism, research, and financial need. In 2022, 82% of medical students received some sort of aid towards their medical education.
University Scholarships
In addition to the College of Medicine scholarships, The Ohio State University also offers scholarships to medical students. The university requires students to complete a scholarship application. It is advisable to complete this application by mid-February each year.
Learn more about university scholarships
Extramural Scholarships
Extramural scholarships offer year-long and summer research opportunities for students interested in conducting intensive work in a biomedical research laboratory. Sponsoring programs include The Sarnoff Fellowship Program, Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program, NIH-sponsored Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes and Obesity, and the Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellowship.
Alumni Scholarships
Our alumni believe in the power of giving back to medical students so that you can pursue your medical degree with confidence. The medical school has over 100 funds, available to students to help support them financially. Alumni-scholarships can be based on need, merit or a variety of other usages, as designated by the donor. You can apply to these scholarships through the financial aid process.
In-State and Out- of- State Friendly
On average, Ohio State enrolls about half in-state and out-of-state students every year. As an out-of-state student you get the benefit of applying for in-state residency after your first year. Once established, you can lower your annual tuition for the remaining three years of your medical education.
Major components of Ohio residency for in-state tuition include:
- Physical presence in Ohio
- Contribution to Ohio Taxes
- Eligibility to remain in the United States on a permanent basis
Living in Columbus, Ohio
The cost of attending medical school goes beyond tuition, another aspect to consider is the cost of living. As the 14th largest city in the nation with a population of almost 1 million, Columbus is also one of the most affordable cities in the Midwest. The cost of living in Columbus is 8% lower than the national average, meaning your dollars go farther.
Learn more about living off-campus at Ohio State by visiting Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services.
Combine a lower cost of living with a thriving health care landscape creates a perfect environment for medical students or any healthcare professional. The Columbus Region boasts four world-renowned, award-winning healthcare systems, including The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel, who contribute billions annually to the area’s economy and employing more than 45,000 people. In addition, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Columbus’ healthcare among the best in the country, and nearly all our hospital systems and medical, research and bioscience facilities receive national attention.