Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $131,139 |
| Tuition & Fees | $80,371 |
| Living Expenses | $50,768 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $81,139 |
Cover Your $81,139 Gap
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical students typically need $81,139 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $81,139/year gap means $324,556 in additional funding needed beyond federal loans over the full 4-year program. This is among the largest gaps nationally. Carefully evaluate the return on investment before committing.
- Calculate your expected debt-to-income ratio using projected starting salaries
- Explore income-driven repayment options for the federal loan portion
- Request a meeting with the financial aid office to discuss all available institutional support
- Compare total cost with peer programs — the same degree may cost significantly less elsewhere
- Consider whether employer tuition assistance or military benefits apply to your situation
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
In-State vs. Out-of-State
In-State (Resident)
Out-of-State (Non-Resident)
Out-of-state students face a $28,476 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical students can borrow up to $50,000 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the professional annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $200,000 for professional students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($50,000/year for professional programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical is $131,139 per year. Over the full 4-year program, the total cost is $524,556.
What is the funding gap for Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical?
The annual funding gap is $81,139, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($131,139) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 4-year program, the total gap is $324,556. This is above the national median of $44,358 for Medical (MD) programs.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical classified as graduate or professional?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical (MD) is classified as professional under 34 CFR § 668.2, the federal definition of professional programs frozen as of the OBBBA enactment date. This means the annual federal loan cap is $50,000/year, with an aggregate limit of $200,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(ii).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 186380.
- Program classification: MD is classified as professional per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $50,000.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A non-resident student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Medical faces an annual funding gap of $81,139 based on a cost of attendance of $131,139 minus the federal professional loan cap of $50,000. Over 4 years, the total funding gap is $324,556. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.