A doctor’s degree takes about 4 years of medical school after a bachelor’s, plus residency, and a PhD usually takes 4 to 6 years.
Medical doctor (MD or DO)
Four years of medical school after a bachelor’s degree, then residency of 3 to 7 years. Total about 11 to 15 years after high school.
PhD
Usually 4 to 6 years after a bachelor’s, with an average of about 5.8 years in the US (National Science Foundation).
Other doctorates
- JD (law): 3 years.
- PharmD: 4 years.
- DDS (dentistry): 4 years.
- DPT (physical therapy): 3 years.
- EdD: 3 to 5 years.
Pace
Part-time programs take longer.
Cost
Medical school averages over $200,000 in costs.
Choosing
Pick based on career goals.
Medical degrees in detail
Medical school in the US takes four years: two years of classroom science and two years of clinical rotations. Before it, students complete a four year bachelor’s degree with prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, so the first step takes eight years in total. After graduation comes residency, which lasts three years for family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, five for general surgery and up to seven or more for neurosurgery. Fellowships add one to three years.
MD versus DO
Doctors of medicine (MD) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) have the same practice rights in all US states. DO programs include extra training in osteopathic manipulative treatment. Both take the same residency matching process, and since 2020 they share a single accreditation system. About 25% of US medical students attend osteopathic schools.
PhD length and funding
A PhD usually takes four to seven years after a bachelor’s degree, with a median of about 5.8 years in the US according to the National Science Foundation. Many STEM students receive a stipend and tuition waiver, which means they graduate with little debt, while humanities programs often take longer. A dissertation must present original research and be defended before a committee.
Other doctorates
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): about four years after two to four years of college.
- Juris Doctor (JD) in law: three years after a bachelor’s degree.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT): about three years after college.
- Doctor of Dental Surgery or Medicine (DDS, DMD): four years of dental school.
- Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): two to four years, often part time for working professionals.
Cost
The average cost of attending medical school is about $250,000 to $300,000 for four years, and median debt at graduation is about $200,000 (AAMC). A dental degree can cost over $300,000. PhD students in funded programs often pay no tuition. Residency pays a salary, around $60,000 to $70,000 a year for first-year residents.
Time to practice
A US physician usually starts independent practice at about age 30 to 33, depending on specialty. Choosing a doctorate means considering both the years of study and the earnings that follow, which for physicians are among the highest of any profession, while a PhD may lead to academic, industry or government research jobs.
Timeline from start to practice
In the US, a physician needs four years of college, four years of medical school and 3 to 7 years of residency, so becoming a fully trained doctor takes about 11 to 15 years after high school. Surgical specialties and fellowships add more time. Medical school graduates carried a median education debt of about 200,000 USD, according to the AAMC. Licensing requires passing USMLE or COMLEX steps, and board certification follows residency. A PhD in the US usually takes 5 to 7 years, and professional doctorates such as the JD take 3 years and the PharmD about 4 years after prerequisites.
Based on data from the AAMC and the National Center for Education Statistics
