⚠ Policy change effective July 1, 2026: Grad PLUS loans eliminated for new borrowers. Read the law →

Columbia University in the City of New York vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Funding gap comparison

Columbia University in the City of New York

, NY

Medicine (MD)

Annual COA
$106,727
Federal Cap
$50,000
Annual Gap
$56,727
Total Program Cost
$426,908
Total Gap
$226,908
Years
4
Classification
Professional
Tuition
$74,840/yr
Fees
$2,507/yr
Living Expenses
$29,380/yr
VS

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

, MI

Medicine (MD)

Annual COA
$107,968
Federal Cap
$50,000
Annual Gap
$57,968
Total Program Cost
$431,870
Total Gap
$231,870
Years
4
Classification
Professional
Tuition
$78,852/yr
Fees
$723.57/yr
Living Expenses
$28,392/yr

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has a $1,241 larger annual funding gap than Columbia University in the City of New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do these programs have different funding gaps?

Funding gaps depend on each program's total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and living expenses) minus the federal loan cap. Programs classified as "professional" have a $50,000 annual cap, while graduate programs are capped at $20,500.

How are these costs calculated?

Costs include tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses). These are based on published 2025-26 rates and official cost-of-attendance budgets.

What is the OBBBA and how does it affect student loans?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2026) eliminates Grad PLUS loans and replaces them with annual caps: $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students. This creates a "funding gap" for programs that cost more than these caps.