Cost of MBBS in USA 2025: Tuition Fees, Living Expenses & More

The MBBS in India is equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the USA. The average cost of studying MBBS in USA is USD 234,000 to USD 351,000, which is little higher compared to India. The cost of studying MBBS in USA might be higher than in India, but the quality of education is top-notch. 

The MBBS in USA is called MD, and the duration of an MBBS in the USA is 7-8 years. The total cost includes the tuition fees of the universities and living expenses in the US. Due to the increasing number of international students, the US offers multiple scholarships and financial aid to students to support their education. 

Many Indian students often feel stressed to manage the high cost of MBBS in USA 2025. However, with proper planning and budgeting, pursuing an MBBS in USA is possible. This article highlights details of tuition fees, living costs, and key tips to help students for a successful MBBS in USA. 

Also Read: Why Study in USA: Top Reasons

Study MBBS in USA: Key Highlights

Particulars	Details
Degree Offered	Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Duration	7-8 years
MBBS Cost in USA	USD 234,000 to USD 351,000
Eligibility Requirements	Bachelor's Degree MCAT NEET
IELTS / TOEFL	Yes
Living Costs in USA	USD 1,000 - USD 2,500 per month

Cost of MBBS in USA Overview

In the United States, the MBBS is equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine (MD). The MBBS duration in USA is 7-8 years, which includes 3-4 years BSc + 4 years MD. The MD program is followed by a one-year internship in the USA. 

The total estimated cost of studying Medicine in the USA is the fees of a 3-4 year BSc, 4 4-year MD, and a 12-month internship program. The total cost of MBBS in USA 2025 is USD 234,000 to USD 351,000 for the complete course duration.

The tuition fees for MBBS in USA differ greatly depending on the ranking and type of the university. Generally, public universities in USA offer comparatively cheaper tuition fees for Indian students than private universities. 

The USA living cost is also an important part of the MBBS. In the USA, an Indian student requires at least USD 1,000 - USD 72,500 per month to live comfortably. Meanwhile, the cost of living in the USA is around 234.7% higher than in India. The prices of rent, food, transportation, electricity, mobile, internet, etc, are much higher than in India. Therefore, the living expenses in USA play a vital role in determining the average cost of MBBS in USA 2025. The personal expenses of students may be higher than the average living cost in USA.

Cost of MBBS in USA: Top Universities & Their Fees

What is the tuition fee for MBBS in the USA? The tuition fee for MBBS in the USA ranges between approximately USD 234,000 to USD 351,000 for the complete duration of the study. 

If you are looking to study MBBS in USA, understanding the tuition fees of the top universities is very important. Here’s a list of tuition fees of some of the best medical schools in the USA:

Tuition Fees for MBBS in USA for Indian Students

MBBS Universities in USA	MBBS Fees in USA in USD (Approximate)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Fees	USD 61,400 per year
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Fees	USD 57,700 per year
California Northstate University College of Medicine Fees	USD 5,900 per year
Emory University School of Medicine Fees	USD 26,400 per semester
Harvard Medical School Fees	USD 57,200 per year
Medical College of Georgia	USD 4,100 - USD 5,900 per year
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Fees	USD 69,500 per year
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Fees	USD 3,700 per year
Duke University School of Medicine Fees	USD 76,300 per year
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Fees	USD 24,100 per semester
Medical College of Pennsylvania Fees	USD 64,300 per year
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Fees	USD 56,700 per year

Cost of Living for Indian Students in the USA

The cost of living in USA covers a major part of the total MBBS costs. The USA is an expensive study destination for international students. The USA is approximately 234.7% expensive than India. The rents in the USA are approximately 738.6% higher than in India. 

The average cost of living in USA 2025 is USD 1,000 - USD 2,500 per month. This range may vary from student to student. The university location is the major factor in deciding the living expenses in USA. 

For example, New York is the most expensive city in the USA, whereas the living costs in Illinois, Florida, and Texas are comparatively lower. However, the personal spending habits of candidates can affect the overall cost-effectiveness. 

Cost of Living in the USA for Indian Students

Expense category	Cost (USD)	Cost (INR)
Tuition and fees	USD 20,000 - USD 50,000	INR 1,640,000 - INR 4,100,000
Room and board	USD 10,000 - USD 15,000	INR 820,000 - INR 1,230,000
Books and supplies	USD 1,000 - USD 1,500	INR 82,000 - INR 123,000
Personal expenses	USD 2,000 - USD 3,000	INR 164,000 - INR 246,000
Health insurance	USD 1,000 - USD 2,000	INR 82,000 - INR 164,000

Cost to Study MBBS in USA: Additional Charges

The journey to your MBBS begins long before you arrive in the country! To cost of MBBS in USA also includes some additional expenses such as visa registration fees, health insurance, flight tickets, and more. Here, we have included all of the important pre-arrival cost of MBBS in USA for Indian students:

• Application Fees
• Entrance Exam in USA Fees
• Visa Processing Fees
• Health Insurance Charge
• Flight Tickets

Application Fees

To apply to top US MBBS universities, you will need to submit an application form along with the required fees. The MBBS application fees in USA are typically non-refundable. The application fees for Indian students are as follows:

• AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service): USD 175
• AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service): USD 198
• TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service): USD 220 

MBBS Entrance Exam Fees in USA

Indian students aiming to study MBBS in USA need to qualify for the MCAT and NEET exams. Also, some US universities ask for English language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL to assess the language skills of students. 

Applicants must pay the necessary registration fees to take the entrance exams. The entrance exam MBBS fees in USA for Indian students are given below.

Tests	Cost (in INR)
IELTS	18,000
TOEFL	16,900
MCAT	29,835
NEET	1,700

Visa Processing Fees

To study in the USA, you need a student visa. The fees for USA student visa for Indian students have been listed in the table below:

Visa Type	Fee Amount (USD)	Notes
Application Visa Fee (all applicants)	$160	Check the latest fee before applying.
SEVIS Fee for F and M Visa Applicants	$350	Covers the cost of maintaining your SEVIS record.
SEVIS Fee for most J Visa Applicants	$220	Covers the cost of maintaining your SEVIS record.

Health Insurance Charge

Students should have health insurance before moving to the USA for MBBS study. The average cost of health insurance for Indian students is around INR 38,000 and INR 77,0000 per year. 

Flight Tickets

The cost of flights from India to the USA is a part of the pre-arrival cost of MBBS. The flight charges from India to the USA vary based on airlines, distance, and time of travel. The flight ticket prices from India to the USA are between INR 50,000 – INR 80,000 for economy class. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid to Study MBBS in USA

Study MBBS in USA is very expensive for Indian students. The medical colleges in the USA charge high tuition fees from international students. Also, the cost of living in the USA is very high for Indian students. Therefore, students should apply for different scholarships in USA and financial aid to manage their MBBS costs. Here are some common scholarships offered by the USA to international students to study MBBS in USA:

Scholarships and Financial Aid for MBBS in the USA

Scholarship	Benefits
Harvard Medical School Scholarships	Covers full tuition costs.
Vagelos Scholarship Program	It covers the difference between the cost of attendance budget and the funds available to the student.
Yale-Based Aid	A loan of USD 10,000 annually and the rest of the needed amount
Provost Scholarship	USD 100,000
Full Tuition Scholarships	Full tuition fees
Merit-Based Scholarships	Up to full tuition costs
New American University Scholarship- International Academic Award	Varies
Scholarship Program for Health Professions Students	USD 1,000

How to Apply for MBBS Scholarships in USA?

Indian students may have to file FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for different scholarships in USA. Also, students can log in to the official portal of the university to look for available scholarships, their eligibility criteria, and the application process.

Documents Required for MBBS Scholarships in USA

• Passport-sized photo
• Original certificates of the 10th and 12th grades
• Original degree or high school certificate, or transcripts
• TOEFL or IELTS test score (if requested)
• NEET scorecard
• Statement of purpose
• Resume / CV
• Application fee

Cost of MBBS in USA vs India

Both the USA and India offer medical education with different structures, fee ranges, and living expenses. Below is a detailed comparison of the cost of studying MBBS in the USA and India for Indian students.

Parameter	MBBS in USA	MBBS in India
Degree Awarded	Doctor of Medicine (MD)	Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Duration	7–8 years (4-year BSc + 4-year MD + 1-year internship)	5.5 years (including 1-year internship)
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree + MCAT + NEET	10+2 (Science) + NEET
Entrance Exams	MCAT, NEET, IELTS/TOEFL	NEET
Tuition Fees	USD 234,000 – USD 351,000 (INR 1.95 Cr – 2.93 Cr approx.)	INR 6,000 – INR 1 Cr (varies for government vs private colleges)
Living Expenses	USD 1,000 – 2,500/month (INR 82,000 – 2,05,000/month)	INR 10,000 – 25,000/month (varies by city)
Total Cost (Tuition + Living)	INR 2.5 – 3.5 Cr (approx.)	INR 5 – 30 Lakhs (Govt.), INR 30 Lakhs – 1 Cr (Private)
Scholarships & Financial Aid	Widely available for international students	Limited, mostly for merit or economically weaker sections
Recognition	Globally recognised, high career opportunities	Recognised by NMC (India), varies globally
Post-Graduation Opportunities	High-paying jobs, advanced specialisations	PG options like MD/MS in India through NEET-PG

Is Studying MBBS in USA Worth the Cost?

Yes. MBBS in USA is completely worthwhile for Indian students. MBBS offers some of the top universities in the world to study medicine. These universities offer a 7-8 year MBBS program including theoretical, practical, and internship opportunities for students. Studying MBBS in USA can be financially challenging. However, the overall Return on Investment (ROI) is completely beneficial to Indian students. Completing an MBBS in USA offers access to modern infrastructure, research opportunities, and globally recognized degrees. Meanwhile, you can apply for different scholarships, student loans, and part-time work options to manage the financial problems. 

Tips to Manage Cost of MBBS in USA 2025

Indian students require a proper budget to plan their MBBS costs in the USA. Here are some important tips to help students manage their expenses in USA to study MBBS:

• Look for affordable MBBS colleges in USA with lower tuition fees. 
• Apply for top MBBS scholarships in USA for international students. Some scholarships offer both tuition fees and living expenses up to the duration of the study.
• Apply for numerous student loans to manage your study expenses. 
• Work in different part-time jobs in USA for Indian students to collect money for living expenses.
• Apply for university on-campus accommodation in USA to save money on rent. For off-campus housing, share a room with friends to reduce the rent.
• Travel via public transport and avoid taking regular private cabs.
• Take help from seniors to collect second-hand study resources such as books, notes, and more.
• Prepare a monthly budget and stick to it.
• Note down extra expenses to track your spending. 
• Use the student ID card to avail discounts at public locations.

Important Resources to Study in USA
How to Settle in USA from India	Best Scholarships for MS in USA
USA F-1 Visa Requirements for Indian Students	How to Apply & Obtain PR in USA
Education System in the USA	Best Cities to Study in USA

Conclusion

The cost of MBBS (MD) in the USA is expensive, however, the cost comes with some big opportunities. The total expenses of MBBS in USA comprise tuition fees, cost of living, and more. The cost of MBBS in USA vs cost of MBBS in India might be a little higher. However, if students plan well, apply for scholarships, and manage their money wisely, studying medicine in the USA is possible. 

If you ever find the process of MBBS in the USA confusing or difficult, you can get support from Upgrad’s expert counselors. They will help you at every step, from choosing the best scholarship to getting ready for the final interview