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What to know first: Medical school loans are borrowed money that can help you meet the high costs of a medical degree. Bankrate chose the best medical school loan lenders based on their interest rates, terms and features. We’ve also rounded up advice on choosing, applying for and managing your student loans.

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College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Multiyear Approval

4.5
Fixed APR from
3.47- 14.47%
Loan term
5-20 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$150,000
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Apply on partner site

Sallie Mae: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Graduate Students

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.49- 14.46%
Loan term
15-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

Education Loan Finance: Best for Tennessee nursing students

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.69- 14.22%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

PNC: Best for automatic payment discount

4.2
Fixed APR from
3.59- 13.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
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Citizens Bank: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Parents

4.6
Fixed APR from
4.24- 12.31%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$400,000
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STUDENT LOAN

Custom Choice: Best for graduation discount

4.2
Fixed APR from
4.24- 14.02%
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

4.7
Fixed APR from
4.39- 14.21%
Loan term
5-20 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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STUDENT LOAN

INvestED: Best for Indiana residents

Fixed APR from
4.95- 8.82%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% cost of attendance
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Federal Student Loans: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Undergraduate Students

4.4
Fixed APR from
8.08- 9.08%
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Loan amount
Loan amount up to 100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

MEFA: Best for paying past-due tuition

Fixed APR from
7.15- 8.95%
Loan term
15-20 yrs
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
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College Ave
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Fixed APR
3.47%–14.47%
Loan amount
$1,000-$150,000
Loan term
5-20 yrs

Education Loan Finance
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
3.69%–14.22%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Sallie Mae
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
3.49%–14.46%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
15-15 yrs

PNC
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Fixed APR
3.59%–13.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Citizens
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
4.24%–12.31%
Loan amount
$1,000-$400,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Custom Choice
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Fixed APR
4.24%–14.02%
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
Loan term
7-15 yrs

Invested
Fixed APR
4.95%–8.82%
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Ascent
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Fixed APR
4.39%–14.21%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-20 yrs

mefa
Fixed APR
7.15%–8.95%
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
15-20 yrs

Federal Student Loans
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
8.08%–9.08%
Loan amount
Loan amount up to 100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Federal student loans Private student loans
Interest rates 8.08%-9.08% for 2024-25 4.99%-17.99% fixed, 3.47%-17.99% variable
Fees 1.057% for direct unsubsidized loans; 4.228% for direct PLUS loans Varies by lender
Borrowing limits Up to $20,500 for direct unsubsidized loans; 100% total cost of attendance for graduates 100% total cost of attendance with many lenders
Qualification requirements Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and be enrolled at least half time Varies by lender; often must have good credit and consistent income
Benefits Income-driven repayment plans, robust deferment and forbearance, no minimum credit score requirement Low interest rates for good-credit borrowers, often zero fees, lender-specific perks
Drawbacks Potentially higher interest rates than private loans offer for borrowers with good credit, loan amount caps for direct unsubsidized borrowers Credit check required, high rate caps, fewer borrower protections
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BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the experts: Can you defer medical school loans through residency


Writer, Personal Loans and Debt Relief

"Federal student loans can be deferred through medical residency forbearance that's offered by the Education Department. Interest will continue to accrue for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, so unless completely necessary, it's recommended that students make at least the minimum payments to avoid runaway interest accrual. For those with private student loans, it depends on the lender. Every company offers a different form of residency forbearance and some may not offer the option at all. Check to make sure your lender offers a forbearance period that works for you before signing the loan agreement."

Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

"After you graduate from medical school, your loans will enter repayment. There are two main options. Obtain a forbearance, where payments are suspended but interest continues to accrue. Some lenders offer a partial forbearance, where you make interest-only payments. Partial forbearances keep the loan balance from increasing, but are lower than fully amortized monthly payments. (Or,) choose an income-driven repayment plan, if available. Income-driven repayment plans base the loan payment on the borrower’s income, as opposed to the amount they owe. Suh repayment plans adjust the loan payment to match the borrower’s lower income during the residency, internship and fellowship. Payments made during an income-driven repayment plan, including a calculated payment of zero, can count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if you are working full-time for a public or private non-profit 501(c)(3) hospital."

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