How Expensive Would Med School Have to Become to be Not Worth It?

[700825]

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Given the alarming rate at which medical school costs (and really educational costs as a whole) are rising, I am interested in hearing perspectives (especially those of physicians and residents) on what you believe would be the amount medical school cost of attendance would have to reach for medicine to no longer be worth it?

Edit: to clarify, at what point do you feel income - student loan payment would no longer provide a comfortable lifestyle (whatever that means to you)?
Edit 2: since >500k seems to be the most popular answer, I calculated the repayment on a 500k loan...$7889/month (or 95k/year) on 10 year repayment...$4518/month (54k/year) on 25...you guys are brave haha

 

[Gilakend]

Are you referring to worth it as in a financial decision or a personal decision? For a fair amount non-trads medicine isn't financially worth it. That doesn't mean they shouldn't go into medicine, just that I think the context of the question is important.

 

[7331poas]

Given the alarming rate at which medical school costs (and really educational costs as a whole) are rising, I am interested in hearing perspectives (especially those of physicians and residents) on what you believe would be the amount medical school cost of attendance would have to reach for medicine to no longer be worth it?

Alarming costs sure. Also alarming at how much doctors are getting paid as well.

The general surgeon I work for pulled in 500k in his rural located practice. Id have no problem with sky high debt tbh

 

[700825]

Are you referring to worth it as in a financial decision or a personal decision? For a fair amount non-trads medicine isn't financially worth it. That doesn't mean they shouldn't go into medicine, just that I think the context of the question is important.

I mean it more as when would salary - loan payment no longer provide a comfortable lifestyle (whatever that means to you)?

 

[700825]

Alarming costs sure. Also alarming at how much doctors are getting paid as well.

The general surgeon I work for pulled in 500k in his rural located practice. Id have no problem with sky high debt tbh

I guess my only concern with this is general surgery is competitive (for the above reason), so I'd be more interested in the perspective for say a hospitalist or FM doc (which is ~1/2 or every non T20 med school class).

 

[Tinyhandz]

Considering medicine is becoming more and more expensive and salaries are decreasing for most specialties (due to inflation), wouldn't be surprised in the next decade or so. Not that it will matter as who listens to the voices of doctors and the general public does not care. Taxes have been increasing, procedure payments have been decreasing, and health insurers are consolidating. After the Trump admin, I wonder if the total opposite will come and bring in Singer payer which will eventually bring down doctors pay as well.

 

[7331poas]

Considering medicine is becoming more and more expensive and salaries are decreasing for most specialties (due to inflation), wouldn't be surprised in the next decade or so. Not that it will matter as who listens to the voices of doctors and the general public does not care. Taxes have been increasing, procedure payments have been decreasing, and health insurers are consolidating. After the Trump admin, I wonder if the total opposite will come and bring in Singer payer which will eventually bring down doctors pay as well.

Procedure reimbursement is already insane compared to non-procedure reimbursement. Procedures should be getting billed less.