Master of Science in Medical Science

Tuition and Scholarships

Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee

$38,010 tuition to complete the program.*

SCU’s distinctive Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs provides students with confidence in planning for their educational investment.

Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:

• Your per term rate is guaranteed for the scheduled duration of your program**
• No tuition price uncertainty
• Plan your finances in advance

If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu. 

You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.

* Tuition is built on a term basis, not credit hour and the rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2025-2026 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.

** Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information

Merit Scholarship

The MSMS Merit Scholarship is available to incoming Master of Science in Medical Science students who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship is $2,500 and will be awarded over three terms. To be eligible, students must start in the Spring of 2026 and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher based on the admissions requirements. Students must be continuously enrolled and in good standing. The Professional Program Applicant Scholarship cannot be combined with the Merit Scholarship. Scholarships are limited.

Professional Program Applicant Scholarship

The MSMS program is specifically designed to enhance your academic credentials and competitiveness for entry into medical, dental, optometry, and physician assistant programs.  The Professional Program Applicant Scholarship is available to students who start in the Spring of 2026 and have previously applied to an MD/DO, Dental, Optometry, or PA program and are continuing to strengthen their candidacy. The scholarship is $2,000 and will be awarded over three terms. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Merit Scholarship. Scholarships are limited and documentation may be required.

Master of Science in Medical Science 3 Terms

Master of Science in Medical Science 5 Terms

Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.

* MSMS students who fall off cohort and extend their program length beyond the standard program length will be charged $905 for each enrolled credit hour. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.

** Program fees listed are for the 2025/2026 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, student health (except 100% online students), and ASB, and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.

*** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.

Total Cost of Attendance of the Master of Science in Medical Science Degree

Understanding the full cost of your Master of Science in Medical Science education is an important part of your enrollment decision. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) establishes a new federal financial-aid framework scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, with anticipated implications for how SCU graduate students fund their education starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.¹

Under OBBBA, students may use a combination of federal unsubsidized loans, private education loans, scholarships, and personal resources to cover their total cost of attendance (COA).

The estimates below reflect a typical California-based student and are provided for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on individual living arrangements, transportation choices, and personal spending decisions. To determine your personalized cost of attendance, please contact SCU’s Financial Aid Office at financialaid@scuhs.edu.

Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance (COA)

SCU’s Master of Science in Medical Science program runs 3 terms per academic year, and the estimated annual cost of attendance includes both direct costs (paid to SCU) and indirect costs associated with living and studying in California.² These figures are estimates for planning purposes only, additional fees may be required and may change annually.  Visit mySCU for additional details.

Financing Your Education Under OBBBA (Effective July 1, 2026)

Beginning in 2026, OBBBA introduces a new financial aid structure for graduate students. As an SCU MSMS student, your financing plan may include the following:

• Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Anticipated caps of up to $10,250 per term (3 terms per academic year) or $30,750 a year, subject to applicable federal annual⁵/lifetime limits in effect for the award year. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and these loans often serve as the foundation of a student’s borrowing plan.
• Private Education Loans: Offered through participating lenders; terms vary. Some lenders may subsidize interest while you are enrolled, and terms are credit-based and vary by private lender. SCU provides students with access to private lenders through the FastChoice website⁶.
• Scholarships: SCU offers merit and need-based awards that reduce total borrowing. Visit Scholarships for details.
• Remaining Costs: Typically covered through scholarships, private loans, or personal resources.

SCU’s Financial Aid team is available to help you evaluate options and build a personalized financing approach.

¹ The information provided reflects current understanding of the federal financial aid changes under OBBBA as of 2/10/26 and is not intended to be legal advice. Many aspects of implementation, including transition rules, eligibility criteria, and timelines, are still subject to rulemaking and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Policies, processes, and guidance may change as new details emerge, and SCU will update this page. Please also consult federal resources at studentaid.gov for additional information or contact the SCU Financial Aid Team directly at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
² COA is a budgeting and financial aid eligibility figure. Your actual bill from SCU typically only includes direct costs.
³ Typical fees on an annual basis
⁴ Loan fees vary based on federal rates and borrowing amounts in a given academic year.
⁵ SCU’s MSMS program runs 3 terms per academic year; the “annual” COA reflects three terms.
⁶ SCU does not endorse any specific lender; terms vary by borrower’s creditworthiness.