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College cost of attendance is an estimate of the total cost of attending college for one year that includes the cost of one year of tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, loan fees, and other personal expenses.

Here’s how to calculate the cost of attendance, why it matters, and how it can inform financing an education.

The Cost of Attendance for College

The cost of attendance (COA) for college is an estimate of the total cost of attending a college for one year. The expenses included in COA are outlined by federal law . As briefly mentioned, this estimate includes expenses such as the tuition and fees for one year of school, room and board, books and supplies, transportation costs, loan fees, and other personal expenses. This number is used to help colleges determine the amount of financial aid a student is eligible for, including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

The Difference Between Cost of Attendance and Tuition

Tuition covers the actual cost of academic instruction. COA on the other hand includes other expenses the student will likely incur in order to live. COA includes things like room and board, books and supplies, and transportation costs.

Schools are required to publish the COA on their website, so the information is readily accessible to students. Schools also generally publish more than one COA. For example, state universities may list a COA for in-state vs. out-of-state students. Most colleges will provide multiple COAs based on different student scenarios, such as:

•   Part-time student

•   Full-time student

•   Off-campus living

•   On-campus living

•   Attending school with a dependent

The COA is an estimated average based on previous student spending and estimates, so your actual costs may be different than the COA.

What Is the Average College Cost of Attendance?

Simply put, the cost of attendance is the estimated amount it will cost for a student to attend a school. If a school doesn’t run on a traditional fall/spring semester schedule, the COA may not be calculated to reflect a calendar year.

Think of COA as a rough budget for the year. It includes tuition and expenses outside the classroom like food, transportation, and supplies.

According to The College Board, the average published cost for tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 school year was $10,950 for students at public four-year institutions with in-state tuition and was $39,400 for students at private nonprofit four-year universities.

Recommended: What is the Average Cost of College Tuition?

What Does Cost of Attendance Include?

As mentioned, what’s included in a COA is defined by federal law. A college or university’s COA will include:

•   Tuition and fees. This includes additional expenses that could be required for a specific field of study, and fees associated with loans.

•   Books and Supplies. This might sound like a silly line item, but students spend $1,240 on average on books and supplies, a College Board survey shows. (That may include the cost of a computer used for study.)

•   Transportation. This estimate includes how much it would cost to travel back and forth from school, and in some cases, can include the cost of keeping a car on campus (parking permits, etc).

•   Room and board. This estimates housing and food expenses. It will take into account if the student is living at home, on campus, or off campus.

•   Additionally, this line in the COA estimates how much a student may spend on dining, often using the campus meal plan as a guide.

•   Personal expenses. While the university doesn’t include this on its official bill, the school will estimate the cost of personal care, such as clothing, entertainment, and haircuts.

Cost of attendance can include more specifics based on a student’s need. The COA should reflect a student’s planned education, whether that be part time, full time, or even correspondence based. COA estimates come both directly from the school and from market research and data, meaning the trends change each year.

Recommended: Ways to Cut Costs on College Textbooks

Finding a School’s Cost of Attendance

Hunting down a university’s COA is an important first step in calculating the expenses around college and how to pay for it. Since legislation passed in 2011, it’s mandatory for U.S. two-year and four-year institutes to share the COA on their websites. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy to find.

One way to look for the COA online is to simply put “[NAME OF SCHOOL] + COST OF ATTENDANCE” into a search engine.

Or anyone can go the old-school route and call a college’s financial aid office to get the information over the phone.

A school will also include its cost of attendance on a student’s financial award letter.

College Cost Attendance List

The COA for colleges can vary quite dramatically depending on a school’s location, whether it is private or public, among other factors. Some programs may have additional fees and costs (like lab fees) which could increase the cost of attendance for certain majors or programs.

The following table provides an overview of the published COA for undergraduate students living on-campus at several schools around the country during the 2023-2024 school year (unless noted with an asterisk, in which case it is the 2022-2023 school year).

School	Type	Cost of Attendance
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)	Private	$88,150
Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)	Private	$87,793
Rice University (Houston, TX)	Private	$78,278
Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN)	Private	$84,412*
University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)	Private	$85,536*
California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA)	Private	$86,886
Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)	Private	$74,249
University of California (Los Angeles)	Public	In-state: $38,517 Out-of-state: $71,091
University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)	Public	In-state: $26,118 Out-of-state: $57,370
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)	Public	In-state: $35,765 Out-of-state: $57,701
University of Oregon (Eugene)	Public	In-state: $35,721 Out-of-state: $64,302
Oklahoma State University (Stillwater)	Public	In-state: $31,920 Out-of-state: $47,440
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)	Public	In-state: $32,054* Out-of-state: $53,364*
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)	Public	In-state: $33,555* Out-of-state: $72,153*

*2022-2023 school year COA.

Can I Borrow More Than the Cost of Attendance?

It is generally not possible to borrow more than the cost of attendance for a school. Federal student loans are limited by law to the cost of attendance less than the amount of aid received. Often, private student loans have similar lending restrictions, though these are set by the lender.

Cost of Attendance and Net Price

Figuring out a school’s COA matters because it can help students figure out the net price they’ll pay for school. The net price is what a student will pay out of pocket to attend an institution. How does a student get from cost of attendance to net cost? Expected family contribution.

Expected family contribution is a number that a college or university uses to calculate a student’s expected amount of financial aid. The formula to calculate the expected family contribution is established by law and includes not only information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) but also:

•   Taxed and untaxed income

•   Assets

•   Benefits (e.g. Social Security, unemployment compensation)

•   Family size

•   Number of family members expected to attend higher education that year

Expected family contribution is neither the final amount a family or individual is expected to pay nor the exact amount of federal aid a student will get. It’s simply a calculation or estimate to help arrive at net cost.

Once a school has a student’s expected family contribution, it can determine net cost through these steps:

•   The school looks at a student’s individual COA, taking into account if they’ll attend classes full or part time and whether or not they’ll live on campus.

•   With financial information in hand, the school subtracts a student’s expected family contribution from the COA. The difference is the student’s financial need.

•   That financial need can be filled by merit aid, such as scholarships or grants, in addition to loans and other financial aid.

After aid, the amount left is a student’s net price. This is what would be paid out of pocket. Depending on a student’s finances and aid, net cost can be fuzzy. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a free net price calculator to make the formula easier. Net price calculators can also be found on many college financial aid sites. These calculators generally take the COA and subtract scholarships or merit aid a student is eligible for.

Having that rough idea of net cost through the help of COA and expected family contribution can help students compare aid packages across schools. For instance, one college’s COA may be higher than another, but based on how generous the aid is, the net price could be lower at the school with the more expensive COA.

How COA Affects Student Loans

A school’s COA will influence a financial aid package an individual receives. Once a student selects a college to attend, the school will let federal and private lenders know how large a loan is needed.

In addition, regardless of a school’s COA, there are annual lending limits for federal student loans. For example, federal student loans for undergraduate programs are limited to $5,500 for first year dependent students. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Making the Right Choices

Understanding a school’s COA can help cover your aspirations. It’s essential to know when crunching numbers to fund an education.

But even after merit and need-based aid are applied, there still might not be enough to account for all expenses.

Paying for College

Students often rely on a variety of financing options when paying for college. Often the first step for students is filling out the FAFSA, which is how students can apply for all forms of federal aid including federal grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. There are a lot of options so it’s important to understand the difference between grants vs. scholarships vs. student loan from a private lender. Here are a few other strategies and options that can help students pay for college.

Private Student Loan

Private student loans from lenders are available. Interested applicants will need to file individual applications with private lenders. Interest rates and loan terms are generally determined by an applicant’s personal financial factors such as credit score and income. Consider shopping around at a few different lenders to find the best rate and terms for your personal situation. Some lenders may offer private student loan discounts, for things like setting up autopay or a customer appreciation discount.

Applicants without an extensive credit history or a relatively low credit score may find that adding a cosigner to their application can help them qualify for a loan or qualify for more competitive rates and terms.

Additionally, an important note when comparing student loans from private lenders vs. federal student loans is that federal loans offer borrower protections that private loans do not. For this reason, private loans are generally borrowed as a last-resort option after other financing options have been exhausted.

For those interested in pursuing a graduate degree, there are student loans for graduate programs available too.

Credit Card

Schools may allow students to pay for their tuition with a credit card. Most schools do charge a fee (often between 2% to 3%) for this convenience, which can offset any rewards you may be earning on your credit card. In addition, credit cards have fairly substantial interest rates. Therefore, paying for tuition with a credit card may not make the most financial sense.

On the other hand, when credit cards are used responsibly they can be helpful tools to help students establish and build their credit history. Students could use credit cards to pay for books, food, gas, or other transportation costs. Be sure to pay attention to interest rates and pay off your credit card each month to avoid credit card debt.

Personal Savings

If you have been saving for college, using those funds to pay for tuition or other college costs can help you avoid borrowing for college. When you borrow student loans to pay for college, you’ll end up paying interest, which increases the total amount you spend over the life of the loan. By paying for some expenses with savings, you may be able to reduce the overall bill.

Grants

Generally, grants, which are often awarded based on financial need, don’t need to be repaid. Grants are available from the federal government, individual schools, and even some nonprofit organizations.

Scholarships

Scholarships are another type of aid that doesn’t require repayment. Often awarded based on merit or other personal criteria (like gender, ethnicity, hobbies, or academic interest), scholarships are available from a variety of sources such as the school, state or local governments, corporations, or nonprofit organizations. Review your school’s financial aid website and conduct an online search to find scholarships you may be eligible for.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

The Takeaway

Cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate that includes the cost of tuition in addition to other expenses such as room and board, books, transportation, food and meals. The requirements for COA are outlined by federal law and each school is required to publish its COA on their website so this information can be easily accessed.

Students won’t necessarily be required to pay the full COA — things like scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid can reduce the actual net price a student ends up paying. That’s why it’s important to compare not only the cost of each school, but the financial aid package each school offers.

To pay for college, students likely have to rely on a few different funding sources. If you’re looking to fill in gaps in funding, private student loans could be an option to consider. SoFi® private student loans have a simple online application, flexible repayment plans, and no fees.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

FAQ

What does cost of attendance mean for college?

The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate for the total cost of attending a college for a single year. The COA includes not only tuition, but costs like room and board, food and meals, books and supplies, transportation, and other miscellaneous personal costs. The items required for inclusion in the COA are outlined by federal law and each college or university is required to publish the details for the college’s COA on the school website.

What is the difference between cost of attendance and tuition?

A school’s tuition is the price for academic instruction. The cost of attendance includes the cost of tuition in addition to other expenses including room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and more.

How much does college cost per year?

The cost of college can vary based on many factors including your location, whether you attend a private or public university, if you receive in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, and the type of program you are enrolled in. According to The College Board the average cost of attending a four year nonprofit private institution was $39,400 during the 2022-2023 school year. During the same time period, the average cost for tuition and fees at public four-year institutions with in-state tuition was $10,950.

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External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Understanding the average salary of a profession can help you make a variety of important decisions, from what field you want to enter to where you want to live and work. In California, the average physician makes more than $200,000 per year. Knowing that, medical students have a better idea of what they could make when they get out of school. Likewise, physicians looking to relocate to a new state have a better sense of how their salary can change based on where they decide to move.

Here’s a closer look at how much medical doctors make a year in California, regional differences in salary, and the top-paying medical specialities in the state.

What Is the Average Salary for a Medical Doctor in California?

The average salary of a physician in the state of California is $229,420 per year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure doesn’t account for a physician sign on bonus, which some doctors receive. Interestingly, California is squarely in the middle when it comes to average physicians’ salaries, along with Oregon, Texas, Maryland, and New York. The average salary in California lags more than half of states, including Arizona, Florida, Wyoming, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

Though many consider anything more than $100,000 a good salary, California’s relatively low pay may come as a surprise to some. However, there are some possible explanations. For one, California spends the most on Medicaid among U.S. states. Medicaid — and Medicare, for that matter — both reimburse physicians at rates lower than their usual fees. Doctors who are seeing a lot of elderly or low-income individuals may see their incomes reduced.

Note that early in your career as a doctor, while you’re in your residency or fellowship, you’ll likely make considerably less than you will later in your career. Explore ways to get by on a medical resident’s salary.

You may also want to consider using a spending app, which can help you set financial goals and a budget and track where your money goes.

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Doctor

How to Become a Doctor in California

Doctors are health care professionals who are charged with meeting with patients, diagnosing their conditions, and managing their care plans. They perform tests and prescribe medications. And they must coordinate with a range of other health care professionals, including other doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians.
That’s a lot of responsibility, and as a result, it takes a lot of training to become a doctor.

First, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in a field that relates to medicine, such as pre medicine, biology, or biochemistry.

Next, you’ll need to go to medical school, where you will receive classroom and practical training to advance your knowledge in the medical field. Medical school is typically a four-year program. While in school, you’ll complete the first and second parts of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The average cost of medical school can be high, running more than $50,000 a year at private institutions.

When you graduate from medical school, you’ll enter a residency program that helps you choose a medical specialty. These programs usually last three years, and under the supervision of an experienced physician, you’ll work full time as a resident doctor. You’ll complete your residency by passing the third and final part of the USMLE.

After your residency, you can choose to complete a fellowship that gives you further training in the specialty you’ve chosen. Though fellows tend to make more than residents, their salary isn’t as high as new doctors. The good news is, there are ways to budget on a medical fellowship salary.

Finally, you’ll need to obtain a California medical license from the Medical Board of California. You can renew your license every two years, which requires 50 hours of continuing medical education.

Recommended: What Is the Average Medical School Debt?

Reasons to Become a Doctor

Becoming a doctor can involve a lot of challenges, but it can also be immensely rewarding work. Here are a few reasons you might become a doctor:

•   To help others: Doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions, helping to save and improve patients’ lives. They are often involved in ongoing treatment, ushering patients down the path to recovery. Being a physician is a people-centric profession that involves working closely with patients and their families to explain medical conditions and treatment options.

•   To work in the sciences: If you’re interested in a variety of scientific fields, from biology to chemistry to anatomy to pharmacology, being a doctor is a way to explore these subjects while also helping others.

•   To find purpose: The responsibility toward patients and coworkers and the ability to better people’s health and well-being often provide doctors with a sense of satisfaction and meaning in their work.

•   To become a teacher: Becoming a doctor requires a lot of schooling and ongoing training. Doctors may pass on this knowledge by educating patients on how to lead healthier lives, educating medical students in teaching hospitals, and supervising residents.

•   To have job security: The job outlook for physicians is relatively low, with the field expected to grow 3% through 2031. That said, there are still 23,800 openings for physicians projected each year, according to BLS data.

•   To make a good salary: The annual average wage for all workers in the United States is $58,260, according to the BLS — quite a bit lower than the $229,420 average annual pay for physicians in California.

Best-Paying Medical Doctor Jobs in California

The medical speciality you pursue in California will have a big impact on your salary. According to BLS data, here are some of the highest-paid physicians in California:

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists help diagnose and treat mental disorders. Unlike psychologists, they are allowed to prescribe drugs for medical treatment.

Average salary: $305,290

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

OBGYNs provide medical care related to childbirth and diagnose and treat diseases of the female reproductive organs. They also specialize in women’s health issues like hormone problems, infertility, and menopause.

Average salary: $309,610

Anesthesiologist

Before, during, or after surgery, anesthesiologists administer anesthetics (which reduce sensitivity to pain) and analgesics (which act as pain relievers).

Average salary: $318,030

Cardiologists

Cardiologists diagnose and treat conditions of the cardiovascular system.

Average salary: $343,370

Radiologists

Radiologists use medical imaging techniques, such as x-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.

Average salary: $345,100

Pathologists

A pathologist helps diagnose diseases by running tests on organs, tissue, and bodily fluids, such as blood.

Average salary: $350,980

Surgeons

Surgeons are medical doctors that may have to perform surgery, a procedure that physically changes a patient’s body.

Average salary: $351,580

Recommended: Starting (and Keeping) an Emergency Fund

The Takeaway

Being a doctor can be fulfilling, as it allows you to help people through work in the medical sciences. It can also be monetarily rewarding, and understanding average salaries can help you make decisions about where you want to live and what you want to specialize in. Though income varies by speciality, the average salary for physicians in California is $229,420 per year.

As you build your practice and earn a salary, a money tracker app can help you get your financial house in order. The SoFi Insights app connects all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see all of your balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score monitoring, plus you can get other valuable financial insights.

Stay up to date on your finances by seeing exactly how your money comes and goes.

FAQ

What is a doctor’s yearly salary in California?

In California, a doctor can expect to make $229,420 per year on average, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is the highest-paying medical specialty?

Among the highest-paid doctors in California are pathologists, surgeons, and radiologists.

Who earns more: a dentist or a doctor?

In California, doctors tend to make more than dentists, who earn ​​$165,950 per year on average.

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Photo credit: iStock/Drazen Zigic

SoFi’s Insights tool offers users the ability to connect both in-house accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score provided to you is a Vantage Score® based on TransUnion™ (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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In dental school you’re taught the skills you need to become a successful dentist. What they don’t tell you is how to effectively handle your dental school debt. A typical dental school graduate enters the profession with a student loan burden topping $293,900, according to the Education Data Initiative.

That’s $90,000 more than the average medical school debt. Right when dentists are ready to hit the accelerator on their careers, the reality of repayment presents a sizable speed bump.

The good news is, you’ve picked the right profession when it comes to ROEd, or the “return on education” you should reap down the road. The average base salary for general dentists is $217,620, and more than $355,570 for specialists who provide implant services, per a 2021 survey by DentalPost and Endeavor Media.

Ways to Pay Off Dental School

At this stage of the game, it’s important to have a plan for paying down your debt as efficiently as possible. Getting your finances in order early is especially critical if you anticipate borrowing more money down the road to open your own practice or buy a home.

Below, we explain the various student loan payment options available and how to know which one makes the most sense for you.

Choose a Repayment Plan

Federal student loan borrowers have four repayment plans to consider. They all set your monthly loan payment at an amount deemed affordable based on your income and family size. You can change your plan anytime without incurring fees.

•   Standard Repayment Plan. Spreads payments evenly over 10 years. Under this plan, if you have a loan balance of $250,000 at 7.54%, your monthly payment will be about $2,900. This is the default plan if no other plan is chosen.

•   Graduated Repayment Plan. With this plan, payments start lower and then gradually increase over time, usually every two years. Repayment takes place over 10 years.

•   Extended Repayment Plan. Choose either fixed or graduated payments. Repayment takes place over 25 years.

•   Income-Driven Repayment Plans. There are four types of income-driven repayment plans that tie a borrower’s income to their loan payments. Repayment takes place over 20 or 25 years. At the end of the repayment period, the remaining balance is forgiven (though this amount may be taxable).

Thanks to their higher income, dental professionals often pay off their loans before the end of the repayment period, making the forgiveness benefit irrelevant. Also, you may not be eligible for forgiveness programs if your income is over a certain threshold. (Still, we’ll get into forgiveness programs a bit more in the next section.)

Keep in mind that the longer your repayment term, the more interest you pay over the life of that loan. The shorter your term, the less you’ll pay in interest, but the higher your monthly payment will be.

A student loan payoff calculator will give you an idea of your monthly payment for different repayment terms.

Recommended: How To Get Out of Student Loan Debt

Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is an option if you start your career at an eligible nonprofit or public service agency. Work for a local, state, tribal, or federal government organization or for a nonprofit organization, and you may be eligible for federal Direct Loan forgiveness after 10 years in an income-based plan. Serving as a full-time AmeriCorps or Peace Corps volunteer also counts.

Examples of qualifying government employers are the U.S. military, public colleges, and public child and family service agencies, but not government contractors.

There are also a number of federal and state loan-repayment assistance programs that reward dentists for providing service to certain segments of the population. The Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program, for example, offers dentists who serve American Indian communities up to $20,000 per year toward the repayment of school loans.

Student loans from private lenders do not qualify for PSLF.

Student Loan Consolidation

Federal student loan consolidation lets you combine multiple federal student loans into a single new loan with a fixed rate. Your new rate is the weighted average of the old student loans’ interest rates rounded up to the nearest eighth of a percentage point. That means the rate might actually be slightly higher than the prior rate on some of the loans.

If your monthly payment decreases, it’s likely the result of lengthening the term (up to 30 years), which can mean paying more interest over time.

By the way, you can’t include private student loans in this type of a consolidation loan.

Student Loan Refinancing

For many dental school grads, consolidating multiple student loans into a single loan with a private lender, and then refinancing the balance at a lower interest rate, makes sense. Student loan refinancing makes it easier to manage your finances: You’ll get one bill each month from a single lender, instead of several bills for varying amounts that are based on different rates.

Depending on how you structure your loan, a lower interest rate might allow you to pay back your debt faster. That can save you a substantial amount of money over the life of the loan.

You can also choose a term that lowers your monthly payments, leaving more money in your pocket to be used for other things: building an emergency fund, starting a family, and investing for retirement.

Tips for Thriving as a New Dentist

Here are some ways you can set yourself up for success from the very start of your career.

•   Create a budget you can stick to. Leave room for annual and quarterly expenses as well as incidentals.

•   Start a savings plan. The sooner you start saving and investing, the sooner you can enjoy compound growth, which is when your money grows faster over time.

•   Set up automatic payments for student loans. This helps you make payments on time, plus many loan service providers offer a discount if you arrange to autopay.

•   Look into different ways to invest. In addition to maxing out your 401(k) or 403(b), you may also want to consider vehicles such as a health savings account or individual retirement account.

•   Get familiar with your employee benefits package. Find out what perks your employer offers, such as help with student loan repayment.

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Dentist

The Takeaway

Though a typical dental school student owes nearly $294,000 by the time they graduate, there are several student loan payment options that can help borrowers pay down debt more efficiently. All four federal student repayment options, for example, set your monthly payments based on your income and family size. And depending on your employer, you may also qualify for a forgiveness program.

Have multiple loans? Federal student loan consolidation lets you combine them into one new loan with new terms and a new interest rate. Student loan refinancing, which lets you consolidate multiple student loans into a single loan with a private lender, is another option to consider.

It might be beneficial to look for a refinancing lender that offers extras. SoFi members, for example, can qualify for rate discounts and have access to career services, financial advisors, networking events, and more—at no extra cost.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

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^†Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO REFINANCE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED UP TO $20,000 OF STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS AND $10,000 FOR QUALIFYING BORROWERS WHOSE STUDENT LOANS ARE FEDERALLY HELD. ADDITIONALLY, THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT PAUSE AND INTEREST HOLIDAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO DEC. 31, 2022. PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER THESE CHANGES BEFORE REFINANCING FEDERALLY HELD LOANS WITH SOFI, SINCE THE AMOUNT OR PORTION OF YOUR FEDERAL STUDENT DEBT THAT YOU REFINANCE WILL NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL LOAN PAYMENT SUSPENSION, INTEREST WAIVER, OR ANY OTHER CURRENT OR FUTURE BENEFITS APPLICABLE TO FEDERAL LOANS. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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If you’re a doctor or studying to be one, chances are you have student loans. A typical medical school graduate has an average student loan debt of $202,450, according to the Education Data Initiative. That’s seven times as much as the average college student owes.

Paying back the loans can be a challenge for doctors during residency and the early part of their career. But the good news is, the profession tends to pay well. In 2023, a typical entry-level doctor earned around $210,000 per year.

Ways to Pay Off Medical School

No matter how much you owe, it’s smart to have the right repayment strategy in place. This can help ensure your monthly loan payments are manageable and your financial health is protected.

Let’s take a closer look at the various student loan payment options available.

Choose a Repayment Plan

When it comes to federal student loans, borrowers have four different repayment options. No matter which plan you choose, your monthly loan payment will be based on your income and family size. If you need to change your plan at any time, you can do so without incurring fees.

•   Standard Repayment Plan. This plan spreads out payments evenly over 10 years. For example, if you have a loan balance of $200,000 at 6.54%, your monthly payment will be about $2,275.

•   Graduated Repayment Plan. With a graduated plan, your payments start out lower and then gradually increase over time, typically very two years. Repayment takes place over 10 years.

•   Extended Repayment Plan. You can choose either fixed or graduated payments, and repayment takes place over 25 years.

•   Income-Driven Repayment Plans. There are four types of income-driven repayment plans: Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Revised Pay As You Earn (RPAYE). Repayment takes place over 20 or 25 years, depending on your income and the plan you choose. At the end of the repayment period, the remaining balance is forgiven, though this amount may be taxable.

As you weigh your options, think about the length of the repayment term and the monthly payment amount. With a longer repayment term, your monthly bill is lower but the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan is higher. With a shorter term, you pay less in interest over the life of the loan but your monthly payment is higher. A student loan payoff calculator will give you an idea of your monthly payment for different repayment terms.

Recommended: 4 Student Loan Repayment Options — and How to Choose the Right One for You

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Loan forgiveness programs can wipe out some or all of your medical student loan debt, provided you meet certain criteria. If you work for an eligible nonprofit or public service agency, for example, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Considering a job with a local, state, tribal, or federal government organization or with a nonprofit organization? You could be eligible for federal Direct Loan forgiveness after 10 years in an income-based plan.

You may also qualify for a federal or state loan-repayment assistance program if you provide service to certain areas or segments of the population. For instance, the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment program will erase as much as $50,000 of eligible student debt, tax-free, if you work for at least two years in an approved medical facility.

Student loans from private lenders do not qualify for PSLF.

Student Loan Consolidation

If you’re paying off more than one federal loan, federal student loan consolidation may be an option worth exploring. Consolidation lets you combine different federal student loans into a single new loan with a fixed rate. The new rate is a weighted average of all your federal loan rates, rounded up to the nearest eighth of a percent. This may result in a slightly higher rate than you were paying before on some loans.

When you consolidate, you have the option to choose a new repayment plan that extends the life of the new loan up to 30 years. Keep in mind that you can’t include any private student loans in this type of consolidation loan.

Student Loan Refinancing

With student loan refinancing, you combine private and federal student loans into one new loan with a private lender, and then refinance the balance at a potentially lower interest rate. This in turn can lower how much you pay in interest over the life of your loan. Refinancing can also make it easier to manage student loan payments. Instead of bills from different lenders, you get one bill each month from one lender.

You can choose a new length for your loan, which lets you adjust your monthly payments. This may be especially helpful if you choose to refinance during your residency.

Recommended: A Guide to Private Student Loans

The Takeaway

Attending medical school isn’t cheap, and it’s common to graduate with significant student loan debt. The good news is, there are several repayment options that can help you tackle your debt more efficiently and protect your financial health. For example, if you have federal student loans, your monthly payments are based on your income and family size. You may qualify for a forgiveness program, which could erase part or all of your balance.

Have more than one loan? Consolidation lets you combine multiple federal loans into a single loan with new terms and a new fixed rate. With student loan refinancing, you combine private and federal student loans into a single loan with a private lender and then refinance it at a potentially lower interest rate.

Refinancing can be a great choice for working medical school graduates who have higher-interest PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

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Student Loan Refinancing
If you are a federal student loan borrower you should take time now to prepare for your payments to restart, including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. (You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.) Please note that once you refinance federal student loans, you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans, such as the SAVE Plan, or extended repayment plans.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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You have likely heard of credit unions and how they can be an option to banks. But what exactly are they? In a nutshell, credit unions operate differently than banks (clients are actually shareholders), they may be smaller and offer more personalized service, and they can sometimes pay better interest rates.

If you are trying to figure out the kind of financial institution that suits you best, you may wonder, “How do credit unions compare to banks?” Here, you’ll learn some of the key ways credit unions vs. banks stack up, including:

•   What is a credit union?

•   What are the pros and cons of banks?

•   What are the pros and cons of credit unions?

What Is a Credit Union?

Credit unions are financial institutions like banks, and they offer products you’d expect such as checking and savings accounts, loans, debit cards, checks, money orders, and more. They can provide apps and online access, just as banks do. Credit unions may charge fewer fees, often with no minimum or a very low minimum deposit to open an account.

One difference between a credit union and a bank is that credit unions are run as co-ops, meaning each member has a stake in the business. Just like buying stock in a company, you own a small piece of the credit union when you join.

Here are some more features of credit unions:

•   These organizations are typically smaller than big banks and specific to certain locations, while offering similar services.

•   As nonprofits, credit unions are usually designed to serve their members, generally paying higher overall interest rates on deposits and with lower fees and penalties.

Typically, credit unions serve people only within their geographic area, and you need to be a member. Some credit unions have specific requirements for membership, but most make it easy to meet the qualifications, such as:

•   Where you work, or your industry

•   Where you live

•   Where you attend school or worship

•   Which organizations you are a member of.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Banks

If you currently bank with a large financial institution with a well-known name, you might be hesitant to switch banks and, in particular, move your accounts to a smaller, seemingly less popular credit union. Here are some of the upsides and downsides of keeping your money at a traditional bank.

Pros of Banks

Consider these benefits:

•   One of the biggest overall benefits of choosing a traditional bank might be that they generally offer a larger array of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, loans, and more. They can be your one-stop shopping for many financial needs.

•   They often have extensive networks of brick-and-mortar branches, possibly both nationally and internationally.

•   They usually have large ATM networks as well.

•   Traditional banks are likely to be insured by FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), adding a layer of security in the very rare event of a bank failure.

•   Bigger banks can be quicker to adopt new technology, such as launching mobile check deposit.

Cons of Banks

In terms of the downsides:

•   Traditional banks may not offer as high interest rates as online banks or credit unions do.

•   Similarly, traditional banks vs. online banks and credit unions often charge higher fees.

•   A big bank may not provide as specialized, personalized services as credit unions do. Credit unions may provide ATM fee reimbursement, financial literacy seminars, and other perks.

•   Most credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA, vs. FDIC, which helps protect funds in the event of a financial institution failing.

Pros and Cons of Credit Unions

Now, take a look at the upsides and downsides of credit unions.

Pros of Credit Unions

On the plus side, credit unions can offer the following:

•   Credit unions offer many of the same services as traditional banks, satisfying a range of client needs.

•   They typically offer higher interest rates on deposit accounts because profits go back to the members.

•   The fees are often lower than at big banks, both on deposit accounts and other financial products. For instance, credit union vs. bank mortgages may have less costly fees.

•   Credit unions are typically known for personalized service and may offer financial literacy classes and more to support their members.

Cons of Credit Unions

Now, some of the minuses:

•   Membership is required. It’s possible that a person may not qualify to become a member/shareholder.

•   Credit unions are typically local or regional; there may not be many options in a given area. Shared branch credit unions may, however, offer greater reach.

•   They may not offer the kind of 24/7 accessibility and extensive customer service options as traditional banks.

•   While many services are offered, they may not have all the bells and whistles that a traditional bank offers, such as peer-to-peer payment platforms (say, Zelle) or a state-of-the-art app.

Recommended: Do Credit Unions Help You Build Your Credit Score?

Credit Union vs. Bank

Here’s a comparison of how credit unions vs. banks stack up.

Business Model and Pricing

Banks are for-profit enterprises while credit unions are not. Typically, banks may charge higher fees and interest rates to borrow money. They may have higher minimum deposit requirements as well and lower annual percentage yields (APYs) on deposit accounts.

Membership Requirements

Banks are open to all who can apply for and be approved for services. Credit unions, however, have requirements to join and become a shareholder. They might cater to members of the military or employees in a certain industry. Or they might simply charge a small fee. But there will be some requirement to be met.

Services

Banks are known for having a full array of services: various kinds of accounts, loans, and other financial products. Credit unions usually have diverse offerings but may not offer quite the breadth as they tend to be smaller institutions.

Customer Care

Credit unions may have the edge here; they are known for personalized attention and coaching to help members gain financial literacy and reach their money goals. A large traditional bank may not be able to take such interest in each client.

Accessibility

Traditional banks may offer many physical branches, 24/7 customer service, and a national and even international network of locations and ATMs. Credit unions are likely smaller and local, with more limited access.

Technology Tools

Larger traditional banks tend to be more advanced in terms of technological innovation than credit unions. They may have state-of-the-art websites, apps, and services like peer-to-peer payment platforms.

Here’s how these bank vs. credit union differences look in chart form:

Traditional Banks	Credit Unions
A for-profit business that may charge higher fees and interest rates on loans; lower APYs on deposits	A non-profit that puts profits to work for members and usually offers lower fees and interest rates on loans, plus higher APYs on deposits
No membership requirements beyond perhaps initial deposits	May need to meet certain location, employment, or other membership requirements
Full array of financial products and services	Basic array of financial products and services
May not offer intensive personalized attention	Known for personalized customer care and financial literacy coaching
Likely to have 24/7 access and a national or global network of branches and ATMs	May not have 24/7 access to services or a network of branches
Advanced technology, including apps and P2P services	Less technologically advanced

Finding the Right Credit Union

If you think a credit union may be the right fit for you but are unsure where to start, you could ask your co-workers or neighbors if they use one and if they like it. Since a credit union is a local financial institution, word-of-mouth can make for valuable research.

You could also search in your geographic area making sure to check the eligibility requirements, and nationally, if you’re able to use a different local branch as part of the network. Then, joining is just like opening up any other bank account if you meet the membership credentials. Additionally, a credit union account allows you to do most tasks online or over the phone.

Opening a Bank Account

You may decide that a bank vs. a credit union better meets your needs. If so and you are shopping for a new place to deposit your funds, your decision may come down to finding one with easy access, low fees, and a competitive APY.

Traditional banks may charge ATM and overdraft fees — as do credit unions. And although both often provide overdraft protection by pulling from a savings account, there is also the risk that you’ll be charged a fee.

If you are looking to try a new financial institution, consider SoFi Checking and Savings, which is an account that allows you to save, spend and earn, all in one place. It has no account fees and offers a competitive APY. Plus, you’ll receive free access to 55,000+ ATMs worldwide and you can send money right from the app to almost anyone with our P2P transfers.

Bank smarter with SoFi Checking and Savings!

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SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/9/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet..

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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