College Cost for Medicine, Law, and Graduate Degrees 2026
- College Board, Trends in College Pricing
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
- Federal Student Aid (StudentAid.gov)
All figures are estimates based on publicly available data. Use the linked calculators to model your own situation.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total graduate school cost 2026 for a typical professional degree?▼
Med/law/MBA mid-tier total COA $180,000-$380,000 depending tier/location. Fully funded STEM PhD $0 out-of-pocket tuition plus annual stipend.
Are Pell Grants available for graduate students?▼
No. Graduate students use unsubsidized Stafford $20,500/yr max, Grad PLUS for rest of COA, institutional aid and assistantships.
Can you negotiate graduate school funding offers?▼
Yes, admissions funding offers are negotiable. Competing fellowship, better test scores post-submission can all get you more aid.
How much graduate debt is reasonable vs. first-year salary?▼
Aim for total principal graduation equal or under 1x first-year salary. Debt above 1.2x first-year income generally considered risky unless strong family backup.
How do I use the student loan repayment calculator for grad debt scenarios?▼
Enter the total amount borrowed, the Grad PLUS rate, then compare standard 10-year to SAVE/REPAYE IDR plans to see payment differences.