I'm a first year student right now and I did a LOT of research on school tuitions when interviewing. I had some physician mentors that discouraged me going to a DO school mainly because of cost, but 10 years ago that may have been true. Unless I went to my state school or Texas, I would've been paying more for tuition in most MD schools for being out of state. Even my instate was high (30K/yr). Many out of states wanted 60K+/yr, UofColorado was 70K, Michigan wanted 90K! Basically, I would say now a days there is relatively little or no cost savings in tuition for state vs private unless it's your state or Texas. I'm a KCOM student and my tuition is about 47K/yr and cost of living is uber cheap; granted I didn't choose Kirksville for the location, I chose it for the reputation and well established rotation sites. I voted for the 200-250K range(more like 250), because I am also single, budget very well, and my undergrad was cheap. You can live on a lot less than we sometimes think. Alcohol is one thing that can rack up a bill quicker than you think, just ask some of my classmates; if you drink, take it easier than what Grays Anatomy might make you think. Just be wise with your money, and make a good post residency payment plan. I've got a five year plan worked out post residency so I can be debt free without having to go through the military or HSPS for primary care(I don't plan on doing a primary care residency), and I don't have to live like a pauper, just reasonably. Hope this wasn't too off topic, I just notice that most people put these kinds of polls up because they're worried about paying off their tuition(who doesn't worry?)
