An aspiring doctor is at a crossroads as to where he can pursue his medical degree. While staying in India might seem logical and easier, the prestige that comes with being an MBBS degree holder is something no other country can match. However, it is not so easy to crack the top medical colleges of India and get an admission there. Perhaps, this seems like another crossroad as to whether you want to pursue your dream or not? If yes, then the next question pops up: Will pursuing your dream cost you a fortune? The answer depends on which country you choose to study MBBS. Read on to know more about the cost of studying MBBS in USA vs India.
Why is MBBS in the USA so expensive?
Let us get one thing clear before we start: The fee charged by any medical college in the world is not for the education. Medical colleges run solely on the ‘tuition fee’. So, when we say that MBBS in the USA is expensive, it is not because the education is extra ordinary but because charging hefty fees is the norm there. You must have observed that the cost of living in the USA is very high compared to India. Simply put, the medical colleges in the USA get a lot of money from the ‘tuition fee’. The high cost of living and the high tuition fee make MBBS in the USA very expensive. Medical colleges in the USA charge $50,000-$60,000 as tuition fee for an undergraduate course (4 year course to become an MD). This makes the cost of studying MBBS in the USA the highest in the world.
Is MBBS in India free or cheap?
The general notion among people is that MBBS in India is free or cheap. This is not true. Everybody who aspires to get an MBBS degree has to go through an entrance exam and only the ones who clear the exam are given a seat in a medical college. The entrance exam is conducted by various state governments of India. You have to apply to the state government to take the exam. There are various state governments conducting entrance exams while some have outsourced the exams to various agencies. The application fee to take the exam is minimal i.e. around $20. You can also apply to some agencies that conduct the exam and they charge a certain percentage from the students. All the seats are filled based on the rank in the entrance exam. The government does not provide any financial support to the students. The student has to take an admission in a private or government college and has to pay the nominal tuition fee. The tuition fee is very low and is usually around $150-$300 per year.
Is MBBS in India expensive?
The Indian government has made it mandatory for all the medical colleges to charge a certain amount as tuition fee. The tuition fee for an MBBS course in India is around $3000-$4500 per year. The low tuition fee makes the cost of studying MBBS in India quite low. During the admission process, the colleges also provide a hostel facility to the students at a nominal amount of $200-$300 per month. This makes the total expenses to around $5000 per year. The amount mentioned above is the minimum amount you will have to spend to study MBBS in India. The actual amount can increase depending on the city you choose to study.
How much does MBBS in India cost?
The cost of studying MBBS in India is around $5000 per year. The amount mentioned above is the minimum amount you will have to spend to study MBBS in India. The actual amount can increase depending on the city you choose to study. The tuition fee is very low and the hostel charges are nominal. You will have to spend for the books, food, and transportation to the college. However, it is not a significant amount and you can easily manage it. The main challenge is to get an admission in a good college and that too under the EWS category.
Is an Indian degree recognized abroad?
An Indian degree is highly recognized and respected all over the world. All the medical colleges across the globe accept the Indian degree. There are no issues while getting a visa or applying for a job. The only thing you have to keep in mind is to select a college that is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The MCI is the government body that regulates and controls the medical education in India. The college must have an ‘Approval’ or ‘Affiliation’ from the MCI. The college should have all the necessary infrastructure and facilities to provide quality education. The MCI conducts a regular inspection to check if the college is meeting all the requirements.
How much does it cost to study MBBS in the USA?
As mentioned above, the cost of studying MBBS in the USA is the highest in the world.
You can study MBBS in the USA through two options:
- You can go to any top university in the USA and pursue your MBBS from there.
- You can go to a college in India and then get an equivalency certificate from the USA.
Let us discuss both the options in detail.
- You can go to any top university in the USA and pursue your MBBS from there. There is a specific list of medical colleges in the USA that provide a degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD). If you get admission in any of these universities, you can pursue your MBBS from there. You have to pay the tuition fee depending on the university you get admission in. The tuition fee varies from $50,000 to $60,000. You have to pay the tuition fee for 4 years since the medical course in the USA is of 4 years.
- You can go to a college in India and then get an equivalency certificate from the USA. You can go to a college in India and complete the MBBS course from there. After completing the course, you have to get an equivalency certificate from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The NAAC is the body that gives equivalency certificates. After you get the certificate, you have to apply to the state board of the USA and provide the equivalency certificate. The state board of the USA will then verify the authenticity of the certificate and will issue a medical degree to the student.
Final words: Which country should you pick?
You must have realized by now that it is not easy to study MBBS in the USA. You have to prepare well for the entrance exam and crack it. After getting admission, you have to manage the huge tuition fee. On the other hand, it is much easier to study MBBS in India. There is no entrance exam and the tuition fee is very low. The fee of studying MBBS in the USA is high as compared to India. If you have the financial capability to bear the huge tuition fee for 4 years, then go for it. If not, then you can go for studying MBBS in India. After completing the course, you can apply for an equivalency certificate and get a medical degree from the USA.
