University of California-San Diego
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $95,395 |
| Tuition & Fees | $58,162 |
| Living Expenses | $37,233 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $45,395 |
Cover Your $45,395/yr Gap
University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) students typically need $181,582 in private loans over 4 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.
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What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $45,395/year ($181,582 total), the funding gap for University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask University of California-San Diego about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Evaluate expected starting salary against total debt load — use the 1x salary guideline
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
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 $12,246 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) 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 University of California-San Diego?
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 University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) is $95,395 per year. Over the full 4-year program, the total cost is $381,582.
What is the funding gap for University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD)?
The annual funding gap is $45,395, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($95,395) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 4-year program, the total gap is $181,582. This is close to the national median of $44,256 for Medical (MD) programs.
Is University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) classified as graduate or professional?
University of California-San Diego Medicine (MD) (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.
Related Articles
What the OBBBA Means for Professional Students
Medical, law, dental, and other professional students face a $50,000/year cap. Here's the full breakdown.
Read more →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
Scholarships, institutional aid, private loans, and service programs — options for professional students.
Read more →Debt-to-Income Planning for Professional Degrees
How to evaluate whether your expected salary justifies the total debt load.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of California-San Diego’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, Subtitle B, 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: 110680.
- 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.