Understanding the Cost of Attending TCU Medical School

The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University (TCU), located in Fort Worth, Texas, offers a modern approach to medical education, integrating early patient interaction, advanced simulation technology, and a longitudinal integrated clerkship model. This guide provides prospective students with a comprehensive overview of the school, focusing on understanding the costs associated with attending and the available financial aid options.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the standard expenditures for attending the Burnett School of Medicine for a single academic year. The COA includes tuition, fees, off-campus housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, STEP exams, and miscellaneous expenses. Please understand that your actual costs may vary. The COA figure is updated annually.

2025-2026 Academic Year

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree program tuition and fees at TCU School of Medicine is $72,270 for both Texas residents and non-residents.

Here is a breakdown of other costs:

Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $5,600
Books and Supply Cost: $840
Loan Origination Fees (when borrowing): $498, $450
Away/Residency Interviews: $8,066
Summer 2025 Health Insurance (MS1): $245
Fall 2025 Health Insurance: $1,061
Spring/Summer 2026 Health Insurance: $1,543
Fall Tuition Refund Insurance: $142
Spring Tuition Refund Insurance: $142

*International Students are required to carry the TCU Student Health Insurance Plan as a minimum standard of coverage and are not eligible to waive the insurance.

Read also: Tuition and Admissions at VCU SOM

The total cost for four years of the M.D. program is $278,943 for non-residents.

For major programs other than the medical school program at Texas Christian University, the average undergraduate tuition and fees is $61,740. The average graduate program tuition and fees is $38,658. The average living costs, including room and board and other living expenses, is $21,122 for both on-campus and off-campus living.

Tuition is based on 12 to 18 credit hour enrollment. Graduate tuition is charged on the per credit hour basis with some exceptions.

Notably, Texas Christian University’s tuition rate increased by 3% starting in the 2025-26 academic year. The university’s estimated cost for undergraduate tuition in the 2024-25 year was $61,650. A 3% increase means $1,849.50 more for the academic year or nearly $63,500. The university’s board of trustees approved the move during its fall meetings to “support sustainability and initiatives to enhance TCU’s academic and student experience,” TCU President Daniel Pullin wrote in a Nov.

Rising Tuition Costs

TCU officials note that over the last decade need-based financial aid has skyrocketed, nearly quadrupling from $43 million in 2012 to $165 million in 2024.

Read also: Stanford Medical School Costs

"If you stop and take a step back, thinking about what’s overall inflation sitting at? It’s around 3%. What types of pay raises are employees expecting? Again, around 3%,” said Kelchen. A statement from a TCU spokesperson said reasons for the higher tuition cost included “rising operational costs” and a commitment to “maintain and advance TCU’s standard of excellence.” The 3% tuition hike, the spokesperson noted, is the lowest increase in two decades for TCU, except for years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While 3% is typical, the tuition increase the year before was not typical. It jumped by nearly 8%, from $57,130 in academic year 2023-24 to $61,650 in 2024-25. Fast forward to 2025, when the cost will reach $63,500.

In an inflation-is-everywhere world, the $40,630 you were paying in 2015 comes out to about $53,800 in today’s dollars, according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator.

Over the years, TCU tuition has caught up to Southern Methodist University, one of TCU’s peer institutions. The most recent public data comparing the two institutions in the 2023-24 academic year shows TCU’s tuition at $57,130, while SMU’s cost is $57,212.

Students likely are not seeing the full sticker price of tuition when they enroll for classes each semester. A lot of money is doled out at TCU and other private institutions that decrease the cost of tuition. The other 80% got some form of grant funding, and for those students the average tuition was $44,190. “Colleges budget expecting students to get pretty substantial discounts, but if they can get a share of students paying full price, that’s lovely, and that makes the rest of the budget easier,” said Kelchen, who noted that TCU has a fairly strong position in the market.

Unexpected Generosity

Students in TCU’s School of Medicine’s class of 2024 received the surprise of a lifetime when an anonymous donor paid the entire class’ tuition for the 2022-23 school year. There are 60 students in the class, according to a press release. Tuition for the 2022-23 school year is $63,032.

“This gift is meaningful beyond words,” the school’s dean, Stuart Flynn, said in the press release. “For the students in this class, it is truly powerful and will have a profound effect on their future. I am honored and humbled by this tremendous gift to our students that will have a momentous impact on their lives and those they serve in the community.”

This week’s gift to the class isn’t the only time the students have received generosity from strangers. Its 2021-22 tuition was paid for by an anonymous couple, according to the press release. The college’s first year of medical school students, who started in 2019, had their first year of schooling paid for by Fort Worth buisinessman Paul Dorman.

It’s no secret medical school is expensive, and the press release states the average medical school student graduates with $250,000 in debt. Medical school students at TCU said they felt like the community believed in them and were grateful to not have to worry about paying for school.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Attending medical school represents a significant financial investment, and the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU offers a variety of financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their education.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition and fees amount to $66,820 for both in-state and out-of-state students. When considering additional expenses such as living costs, textbooks, and other necessities, the total estimated cost of attendance is approximately $105,814.

TCU offers merit-based and need-based scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition. A 15% tuition grant is also available for the 2024-2025 academic year, reducing the overall financial burden on students. Federal and private loan options are available to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses. The school’s financial aid office provides detailed guidance to students on borrowing options and managing student debt.

The Office of Financial Education and Scholarship offers individualized financial counseling services, helping students to develop budgeting skills, manage their financial responsibilities, and plan for debt repayment after graduation.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The priority deadline is April 1. All medical students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application is available beginning October 1 and our priority deadline is April 1. Please submit using the TCU school code: 003636.

Services Offered

The Office of Financial Education and Scholarship is available to help with a wide variety of topics. This includes, but is not limited to: financial aid, billing related questions, loan overviews, debt counseling, credit advising, public service loan forgiveness overview, loan repayment advice, and general financial counseling.

Obligation for Payment

Tuition and fees are billed 50/50 each payment period (Fall/Spring). As TCU has a monthly billing cycle, payment of a minimum 20% of total basic charges (tuition, fees, and student health insurance, less approved financial aid) is required by the August 1 and January 1 of each academic year. The remaining net basic charges must be paid in full by the 1st of the following month to avoid TCU’s payment plan and the associated fee. View TCU Payment Options.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements to receive federal financial aid. For more information, please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Financial Aid Policy.

Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Policy

Medical students are expected to proceed through the medical school curriculum in a continuous, uninterrupted fashion. In the event of extenuating circumstances, students may request a leave of absence or withdraw from the School of Medicine.

A refund is granted if the withdrawal occurs by the seventh day of the semester. A partial refund is available from the eighth through the fourteenth day, and a further reduced refund through the twenty-eighth day. Non-attendance or notification to the professor does not constitute an official withdrawal from the semester. Students may be subject to federal regulations after a drop or withdrawal from classes. A 100% refund for a dropped class is available until the twelfth day of class.

Accreditation and Key Statistics

The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). LCME accreditation ensures that the school adheres to the highest standards of educational quality, academic integrity, and institutional effectiveness.

Key statistics include:

Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Year Founded: 2019
Total Enrollment: 247 (As of October 2023)
School Type: Private
Tuition & Fees: $66,820 (In-state and Out-of-state)
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
Median MCAT: 511
Median GPA: 3.82
Combined Degree Programs: MD/MPH
Acceptance Rate: Data Pending
Student Body Diversity: Inclusive of a diverse array of students, with significant international representation

Acceptance Rate Overview

As of July 2024, the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University (TCU) maintained a highly competitive acceptance rate of 0.95%, reflecting the school’s rigorous selection process and commitment to admitting only the most qualified and dedicated applicants.

The acceptance rate for in-state applicants was slightly higher at 0.9%, compared to the out-of-state acceptance rate of 0.89%.

Campus Facilities and Student Life

The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU is housed in a modern, urban campus that features state-of-the-art facilities designed to support both academic learning and student well-being. The campus is equipped with advanced simulation labs, research centers, and fully equipped classrooms that facilitate both independent study and collaborative learning. The simulation labs are designed to mimic real-life medical scenarios, allowing students to practice procedures and decision-making in a controlled environment.

In addition to academic facilities, the campus includes several amenities aimed at promoting student wellness and work-life balance. These include fitness centers, recreational spaces, and quiet study areas. The campus’s urban setting in Fort Worth also means that students have easy access to the city’s cultural, dining, and recreational activities, enriching their overall medical school experience.

TCU offers a variety of housing options, both on-campus and off-campus, catering to different needs and preferences. The university provides detailed guidance to help students find accommodation that suits their lifestyle and budget. The cost of living in Fort Worth is relatively affordable compared to other major cities.

Student Organizations

The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine offers a vibrant and diverse array of student organizations that cater to a wide range of medical interests, cultural identities, and professional aspirations.

Participation in the Student Senate, various student interest groups (SIGs), and standing committees is integral to the medical school experience. These roles offer students the opportunity to advocate for their peers, develop and implement student programs, and engage in continuous improvement processes within the School of Medicine. Committees include the Assessment and Evaluation Subcommittee, Course and Clerkship Review Subcommittee, Curriculum Committee, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU offers an extensive array of Student Interest Groups (SIGs), each designed to cater to the diverse interests and professional goals of medical students. These organizations play a crucial role in the medical education experience by providing opportunities for hands-on learning, peer engagement, and professional development.

Examples of Student Interest Groups

American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)

tags: #TCU #medical #school #tuition #cost