What is the average time to repay medical school loans?
Asked by: Prof. Lysanne Williamson IV | Last update: December 12, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (46 votes)
Depending on various factors, paying off medical school loans might take 10 to 30 years. According to a study from Weatherby Healthcare, 25% of doctors expect to take six to 10 years to pay off their
How long does it take to pay back med school loans?
How long does it take to pay off medical school debt? The standard repayment term for federal student loans is 10 years. But if you have a hard time keeping up with your monthly payments you can extend your repayment schedule to up to 30 years with alternative repayment plans.
Are med school loans forgiven after 10 years?
Through this program, physicians working at eligible nonprofit or government organizations can have the remaining federal student loan debt forgiven after 10 years of repayment (120 qualifying payments) and you'll also be able to enroll in an IDR plan.
What is the average monthly payment for medical school loans?
On a standard 10-year plan, monthly payments for the median medical school debt of $200,000 at 7.00% interest are just over $2,300 per month.
How much debt is 4 years of medical school?
The average medical school debt is $234,597, excluding premedical undergraduate and other educational debt.
HOW TO PAY MED SCHOOL LOANS 2021 UPDATE - $350,000
Do most doctors pay off their student loans?
Nearly three-quarters (74%) were medical school debt-free in five years or less, while 47% had paid off their loans in two years or less.
How much does 8 years of medical school cost?
The cost of eight years of medical school, which includes four years of undergraduate education and 4 years of medical school, can be substantial. The combined cost for eight years of education can range from $309,232 to $442,384, excluding additional expenses such as room, board, and books.
How long does it take most people to pay off their student loans?
On average, people with student loans have spent just over 21 years paying back their loans. Federal student loans offer repayment plans that last from 10 to 30 years. Private student loan repayment terms vary.
Do doctors pay loans during residency?
Money Management and Key Decisions in Residency. As you begin residency, you'll quickly have to decide what to do with your education debt. Your choices are postponing payments or making payments. Paying on your loans during residency can help you save money over time by keeping your interest from adding up too quickly ...
How to get rid of medical school loans?
- Get on an income-driven repayment plan. ...
- Apply for forgiveness. ...
- Make payments during residency. ...
- Get help through your job. ...
- Refinance for a lower interest rate.
What is the average med school acceptance rate?
Average medical school acceptance rates are 5.5%. With an increasing number of medical school applicants every year, acceptance rates continue to decrease especially at very popular or competitive medical schools.
What happens after 10 years of paying student loans?
Federal student loans go away:
After 10 years — Public Service Loan Forgiveness. After at least 20 years of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan — IDR forgiveness and 20-year student loan forgiveness. After 25 years if you borrowed loans for graduate school — 25-year federal loan forgiveness.
What is the average age doctors pay off debt?
Consistent and on-time payments will see an average medical graduate concluding loan repayments around age 50. This long-term commitment underscores the need for strategic financial planning, as it will significantly influence the personal and professional aspects of a physician's life for decades.
What is the average student loan debt for a lawyer?
The average law student graduates with $130,000 in student loan debt, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). Additionally, many new lawyers end up with lower annual incomes than their total loan balances, which can make it difficult to repay the debt.
What is the smartest way to pay off student loans?
- Make extra payments toward the principal. ...
- Enroll in autopay. ...
- Make biweekly payments. ...
- Pay off interest before it capitalizes. ...
- Stick to the standard repayment plan. ...
- Refinance if you have good credit, a steady job and private loans.
How many students have borrowed over $200,000 for college?
Meanwhile, 1 million people had a federal student loan balance of more than $200,000, up from 600,000 individuals.
What is 6% interest on a $30,000 loan?
For example, the interest on a $30,000, 36-month loan at 6% is $2,856. The same loan ($30,000 at 6%) paid back over 72 months would cost $5,797 in interest. Even small changes in your rate can impact how much total interest amount you pay overall.
How long does it take to pay off student loans as a doctor?
Data Summary. Each year, thousands of medical school students graduate with roughly $3 billion in total student loan debt. In 2023, the median medical school debt was $200,000. Borrowers with medical school debt may take 20-25 years to repay federal loans in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.
Why is it so hard to pay off student loans?
If your monthly payment does not cover the accrued interest, your loan balance will go up, even though you're making payments. Unpaid interest will also capitalize each year until your total balance is 10% higher than the original balance. This means you will pay interest on your interest.
What is the average age finishing medical school?
Usually, students graduate medical school at 26, followed by three years of internship and residency. Add to that an additional three to seven years for a specialty, and most doctors don't begin their careers until well in their thirties.
Do you get paid during residency?
Some larger healthcare organizations offer competitive residency programs with supplemental compensation networks in addition to a base salary. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California residency program, for instance, provides benefits such as a housing stipend and meal allowance.