Pursuing a career in podiatric medicine means making a significant financial commitment long before you ever treat your first patient.
The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a four-year graduate degree followed by a mandatory three-year residency. That’s a pathway that mirrors medical school in important ways, though it operates through its own accreditation system. Understanding your costs before you begin can help you borrow strategically and plan for the years ahead.
Average Cost of a DPM Degree
Tuition for podiatry school varies by program, but the pool of options is small. According to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), there are eleven accredited colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States, compared to nearly 160 MD-granting accredited schools in the U.S. That means less tuition variation than you’d find across medical school programs.
That said, institutional type matters. Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, the only public podiatry school with state-subsidized tuition, lists 2025–26 tuition at $33,700 for Ohio residents and $44,974 for out-of-state students.
At private programs, tuition tends to run higher. Des Moines University lists $47,578 per year for 2026–27, and other private programs may run higher still.
Note that these figures cover tuition only. The total cost of attendance, which includes housing, food, transportation, books, and health insurance, is often much higher. Individual programs publish their own cost of attendance budgets, and reviewing those for the specific school you’re considering can give you the clearest picture of what to expect.
Beyond Tuition: Other Costs to Plan For
There are several other expenses that can add up during a four-year DPM program. Here’s a look at what to expect:
- Living expenses: Housing, food, transportation, and health insurance can add nearly $30,000 per year to the cost of attendance beyond tuition and other expenses.
- Books and equipment: Educational supplies run highest in the first year, when you’re building your foundational toolkit. For example, Des Moines University (DMU) budgets $3,173 for books and equipment in Year 1, dropping to $1,043 in Year 2 and $193 in Year 3 as the curriculum shifts to clinical training.
- Clinical rotation expenses: The fourth year is largely spent in rotations, which can carry their own costs. DMU budgets $3,720 for clinical rotation expenses in the final year, covering things like travel and other rotation-related costs.
- Board exam fees: To become licensed, DPM graduates must pass the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination (APMLE), a three-part series administered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Each part comes with a $925 exam fee.
- Instruments: Most programs require students to purchase or rent surgical instruments for the clinical years. DMU lists a separate $100 instrument rental fee in Year 3; other programs may charge more or less.
How Students Manage the Costs of a DPM Degree
Podiatry school is a significant investment, and most students use a combination of funding sources to cover it. Here are the main options to consider:
- Federal loans: Graduate and professional students may borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans — and that goes up to $50,000 for professional students in July 2026.
- Health Professions Student Loans: Some programs may also offer Health Professions Student Loans. These federal loans come with favorable terms designed specifically for students in various medical and health sciences fields, including podiatry.
- Scholarships: The APMA offers scholarships for third- and fourth-year students through the APMA Educational Foundation, and individual colleges may award merit-based aid at admission. State, local, and national podiatric organizations may offer additional funding.
- Military programs: The military offers scholarship and loan repayment programs for students who commit to serving as podiatric physicians. These are worth exploring early in the application process.
- Private graduate loans: Federal loans alone may not cover the full cost of attendance. Programs like ELFI’s podiatric student loans can help fill the gap, covering tuition, living expenses, and fees. Exploring your options before you need them gives you more time to compare terms.
Ready to Build Your Financing Plan?
ELFI offers medical and healthcare student loans designed for students in professional programs like podiatric medicine. With competitive rates and flexible repayment options, ELFI can help you cover the full cost of your DPM so you can focus on your training. Explore your options and take the next step on your timeline.
