Specialty guides
Repayment is a different math problem for each specialty.
Pediatrics optimizes for PSLF. Dermatology optimizes for speed. Pick your specialty to open the calculator pre-seeded with its salary band, training length, and repayment strategy notes.
Primary Care
$220K · 3yBest strategy: PSLF (if federal + nonprofit)
Open guideInternal Medicine
$240K · 3yBest strategy: PSLF at a nonprofit, refinance in private practice
Open guideFamily Medicine
$215K · 3yBest strategy: PSLF + NHSC/state program stacking
Open guidePediatrics
$210K · 3yBest strategy: PSLF (strong fit)
Open guideEmergency Medicine
$350K · 3–4yBest strategy: Aggressive payoff or refinance (if non-PSLF)
Open guidePsychiatry
$280K · 4yBest strategy: PSLF (strong fit)
Open guideNeurology
$300K · 4yBest strategy: PSLF if academic/hospital, aggressive payoff if private
Open guidePathology
$300K · 4yBest strategy: Academic: PSLF. Private lab: refinance.
Open guideAnesthesiology
$400K · 4yBest strategy: Aggressive payoff or refinance
Open guideRadiology
$420K · 5yBest strategy: Refinance + aggressive payoff
Open guideDermatology
$500K · 4yBest strategy: Refinance + aggressive payoff
Open guideGeneral Surgery
$450K · 5–7yBest strategy: PSLF at academic center; refi for private practice
Open guideOrthopedic Surgery
$550K · 5yBest strategy: Refinance + aggressive payoff
Open guideCardiology
$500K · 6–8yBest strategy: PSLF if academic; aggressive payoff if private
Open guideGastroenterology
$550K · 6–7yBest strategy: Academic: PSLF. Private GI: aggressive payoff.
Open guideNeurosurgery
$700K · 7yBest strategy: PSLF at academic; refinance in private
Open guide