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Doctor Loan Repayment Calculator
The only loan repayment calculator built for the physician career path. Model PSLF, IBR, aggressive payoff, and refinancing against your specialty's real salary — with year-by-year net worth projections.
Why generic loan repayment calculators don't work for doctors
The average physician graduates with $202,450 in student loan debt — and then earns a resident salary of $58,000–$72,000 for 3–7 years before transitioning to an attending salary of $244,000–$788,000. No standard loan calculator handles this income trajectory.
Generic calculators assume a fixed income. For physicians, the repayment math only works if you model the full arc: medical school debt accumulation → residency income-driven payments → PSLF credit accumulation or interest capitalization → attending-level payoff decision.
MedDebt models all of it. Enter your specialty, debt balance, and training timeline and the calculator shows exactly what each strategy costs under your real numbers — not assumptions built for a $60K/year borrower.
Physician loan repayment strategies compared
Estimated for a physician with $245K in debt completing a 4-year residency at a qualifying employer.
| STRATEGY | BEST FOR | TOTAL PAID | FORGIVEN | TAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSLF (Income-Driven)★ Often best | Nonprofit / academic / VA physicians | $110K–$160K | $100K–$300K+ | None |
| Aggressive Payoff | High-earning specialists in private practice | $280K–$400K | $0 | N/A |
| Refinancing | High earners who won't pursue PSLF | $240K–$340K | $0 | N/A |
| IBR Standard (No PSLF) | Physicians unsure of employer type | $300K–$450K+ | $0–$50K (taxable at 20–25 yrs) | Taxed as income |
Estimates only. Your numbers depend on actual balance, interest rate, household size, training duration, and employer type. Use the calculator for a personalized projection.
Best repayment strategy by specialty
Specialty salary is the biggest driver of which strategy saves the most. Savings column shows estimated advantage vs. the next-best alternative.
| SPECIALTY | ATTENDING SALARY | AVG DEBT | BEST STRATEGY | SAVINGS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $255K | $240K | PSLF | $155K |
| Internal Medicine | $264K | $250K | PSLF | $164K |
| Psychiatry | $245K | $255K | PSLF | $210K |
| Emergency Medicine | $349K | $245K | Aggressive | $80K vs IBR |
| Radiology | $471K | $250K | Refinance | $60K vs standard |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $573K | $260K | Aggressive | $90K vs IBR |
Salary data from Marit Health 2026 Physician Compensation Report. Debt data from AAMC 2024 Medical Education Debt report. The calculator has all 21 specialty presets — enter yours to see exact numbers.
3 decisions that determine your repayment outcome
Employer type — qualifying vs. non-qualifying for PSLF
This is the most important variable. A family medicine physician at a nonprofit community health center can save $155,000+ versus aggressive payoff. The same physician at a private practice group saves $0 through PSLF. Check your employer at studentaid.gov/pslf before choosing any strategy.
IDR plan choice — IBR is the only qualifying option in 2026
SAVE was vacated by the 8th Circuit in March 2026. PAYE closed to new enrollees July 1, 2026. If you're starting residency or reconsidering your plan, IBR is the correct choice for PSLF. Existing PAYE enrollees can remain through approximately mid-2028 before auto-transition to IBR.
When to refinance — and when never to refinance
Refinancing converts federal loans to private, permanently eliminating PSLF eligibility. If there's any chance you'll work at a qualifying employer, do not refinance. Refinancing makes sense for high-earning specialists (radiologists, surgeons, interventional cardiologists) in confirmed private practice who want a lower interest rate and can handle aggressive payments.
Doctor loan repayment FAQ
What is the best loan repayment plan for doctors?
It depends on your specialty and employer. For physicians at nonprofit hospitals, VA, or academic medical centers: PSLF via IBR is typically the best strategy, saving $100,000–$300,000. For high-earning specialists in private practice (orthopedic surgery, radiology, neurosurgery): aggressive payoff or refinancing saves more. There is no universal best plan — it's a function of your salary, debt, and employment type.
Should doctors do income-driven repayment during residency?
Yes, in almost every case. IBR payments during a 4-year residency at $65,000/year salary are typically $150–$400/month — far less than accruing interest. If you're at a qualifying employer, every payment counts toward PSLF (60 of your 120 required payments can be banked during a 4-year residency + 1-year fellowship). Even if you don't pursue PSLF, IDR minimizes your cash outlay during the lowest-income years of your career.
How much does the average doctor pay in student loans per month?
During residency on IBR: $150–$500/month depending on specialty and family size. As an attending on aggressive payoff: $3,000–$8,000/month. As an attending on PSLF/IBR: $800–$2,500/month (higher payments because IBR scales with attending salary). Use the MedDebt Calculator to get the exact monthly figure for your situation.
Can doctors get student loan forgiveness?
Yes — there are two main paths. PSLF forgives the remaining balance after 120 qualifying payments at a nonprofit/government employer (tax-free). IDR forgiveness forgives remaining balance after 20–25 years on an income-driven plan (taxable as ordinary income). For most physicians with $200K+ in debt, PSLF is significantly more valuable due to the tax-free treatment and shorter timeline.
Should I refinance my medical school loans as a resident?
Generally no. Refinancing during residency eliminates PSLF eligibility permanently. Even if you think you'll go into private practice, specialty preferences often change during training. Most physician financial advisors recommend waiting until your first attending contract is signed — and confirmed at a non-qualifying employer — before refinancing.