The average debt of graduates has been rising significantly, and with continuing fee increases we anticipate debt levels to double as compared to the Class of 2000.

          Class Of      Average Debt            Class Of      Average Debt

            1996               $49,662                     2004              $79,990

            1998               $58,014                     2005              $92,682

            2000               $63,060                     2006              $108,271

            2002               $69,441

 Indebted Graduates (mean) - Class of 2005*

 PUBLIC:  $110,460  (+5.8%)     PRIVATE:  $138,093  (+3.6%)     ALL:  $120,280  (+4.4%)

*Source: AAMC 2005 Graduation Questionnaire (figures include college/pre-med educational debt)

Much of the increase in loan indebtedness is due to increases in University of California (UC) professional fees. Students who matriculated before Fall 1994 were not charged these fees. Professional fees have again increased in the last few years, as have UC educational fees. Inflation, increased pre-med educational debt and fewer university grant dollars are other factors influencing debt levels.

It is important for you to know how much you have borrowed, what your monthly payments might be and how these payments will compare to your future income as an intern, resident and physician. Each year we provide updated loan indebtedness information to our students.  Review your own federal educational debt records by accessing your information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Web site, or call (800) 433-3243. We recommend that you routinely monitor your NSLDS account information; discrepancies in NSLDS data should be resolved as quickly as possible.