AVOID this Mistake: Comparing MBBS in India vs. MD in the USA

This is one of the questions that I get asked the most..

Honestly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this..

Why? Because are a lot of factors that you need to consider while deciding this – some are in your capacity and some are not..

Key Factors to Consider:

• Educational Frame work
• Your NEET Score | MCAT & USMLE 1, 2, 3
• Cost of Education & Living Expenses
• Post-graduation Opportunities
• Licensing and Practice
• Salary, Work-Life Balance & Lifestyle

I will not be going deep into each of these factors as there is just too much information there..

But Today, we will focus specifically on one critical aspect: The Cost of Education.

One of the biggest mistakes I see both Students & Parents make is..

Comparing the cost of pursuing an MBBS in India directly with pursuing an MD in the USA without considering the complete financial journey and the scope of each.

Note: ( if you didn’t know yet – MBBS is equivalent to MD in USA, They do not have a degree named MBBS)

I’ll explain what’s wrong with this and what’s the right way for you to evaluate this to make the right decision.

Now why is this method of direct comparison of cost incorrect?

One simple reason:

Residency / Post Graduation in US is FREE + You earn a Stipend.

MBBS in India

• If you secure a seat through NEET in a government college, the financial burden is considerably less.
• However, if you need to go through management quota, costs can skyrocket to 1-2 Crore INR or even more, particularly in reputed private colleges, where tuition fees alone might range from 1 to 1.5 Crore INR.
• Post MBBS, you need to clear NEET PG (soon to be replaced by NEXT), where again, due to higher competition for fewer seats, both management and tuition fees are substantial—around 50L – 2 Cr for Management quota and 40L to 60L INR for Tuition Fees.

So If you combine both MBBS + MD = that’s 8.5 years?

Now Calculate the Total Cost That will be required in those 8.5 years.

Total Cost in India: Management Quota Fee for MBBS + Tuition Fee for 4.5 Years + Living cost for 5.5 Years + PG Management Quota Fee + Tuition Fee for 2 years + Living costs for 2 years.

You know when I explain this – Some parents have asked me this – You know what I know a Doctor , He had done only MBBS but he’s earning 15L/ month in India – So why is the important to do MD?

Okay you see, I agree there are a few Doctors who are exceptional in handling patients, building trust & relationship over years and have reached that level.

But thats like.. I mentioned only a few, a handful, a very very small percentage of the MBBS Graduates in India, may be like 0.1% or so.

And even they.. would have worked very very hard for many years, 20 years or so to achieve this.

You have to understand being a MBBS in 2000 and being a MBBS in 2030 are very different.

So if you want to have a fulfilling career and opportunities to grow consistently – it is advisable and I would even say mandatory to do your PG.

Now Let’s Look at the US Pathway

Note: They just have one Degree – Doctor of Medicine or MD

Medicine in the USA

• IF you consider Direct US Pathway – you will required to do UG first then enter Med School for MD. (I’ve Covered this in depth in this one of the previous emails)
• In Fast-Track Pathway – It’s a 1 Year Pre-Med + 4 Year MD So a total of 5 Years.

If you have not watched the 10 minute webinar explaining the Fast-Track MD Pathway Process yet.. Click here to watch it.

If you look at investment required for these 5 years – Definitely it’s going to be more than what it will cost to do MBBS in India.

But you also have to understand that, After Completing MD – When you enter PG/Residency in the US 

There is no management quota fee.. 

In Fact, there is no Tuition FEE..

its absolutely Free…

Not just that – Here is the Best Part..

You will also receive a Stipend of $70,000 – $100,000 US or Basically 4 – 5L INR per month.

Just for your understanding – This is more than enough money to live comfortably in the US. 

To give you more context : This is the average salary of a Bachelor’s Degree Holder in US and Residency students receive it as a stipend.

So in the Fast- Track Pathway the total duration of study would be 5 years + 3 years of Residency 

A total of 8 years to complete – Very similar to India.

However, After Completing Residency – The average salary any Doctor would receive in the US is significantly higher than what any Doctor would receive in India even if you taken into consideration Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

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So Bottom Line is When you considering the finances – consider it for the entire journey From MBBS to MD and From US MD to Residency.

If you see it this way – The US Pathway would actually cost you less than the Indian Pathway.

If you are interested in learning more about these pathways or starting your application process, please feel free to reach out.