MBBS Fee Structure in Pakistan: Public vs Private Medical College Costs
A detailed breakdown of MBBS fees in Pakistan comparing public medical colleges (PKR 20,000-100,000/year) and private medical colleges (PKR 1-3.5 million/year) with a full list of costs.
MBBS fee in Pakistan depends entirely on whether you get into a public or private college. Public medical colleges like King Edward Medical College charge PKR 20,000-50,000 per year — almost free by international standards. Private medical colleges like CMH Lahore charge PKR 2-3.5 million per year. The total cost of MBBS at a public college is PKR 100,000-300,000 for 5 years. At a private college, the total is PKR 10-18 million. Some private colleges also charge one-time admission fees of PKR 500,000-1,000,000. Hostel, mess, and books add PKR 50,000-150,000 per year.
Why MBBS Fee Varies So Much in Pakistan
The gap between public and private medical college fees in Pakistan is enormous. Public medical colleges are heavily subsidised by the government. A student at King Edward Medical College pays PKR 20,000 per year. A student at a private medical college pays PKR 2-3.5 million per year for the same MBBS degree. The difference is 100-175 times. This is why MDCAT preparation and scoring well is so important — a high score can save you millions.
Public Medical College Fee Structure
Public medical colleges in Pakistan charge PKR 20,000-100,000 per year for MBBS. King Edward Medical University: PKR 20,000/year. Fatima Jinnah Medical University: PKR 25,000/year. Allama Iqbal Medical College: PKR 30,000/year. Rawalpindi Medical University: PKR 25,000/year. Nishtar Medical University: PKR 20,000/year. Public medical colleges in other provinces charge similar amounts — Sindh and KPK colleges range from PKR 25,000-60,000 per year.
Private Medical College Fee Structure
Private medical colleges charge significantly more. CMH Lahore Medical College: PKR 2.5-3 million/year including tuition and hostel. FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore: PKR 2.8-3.2 million/year. Lahore Medical and Dental College: PKR 2-2.5 million/year. Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad: PKR 2.5-3 million/year. Baqai Medical University, Karachi: PKR 2-2.5 million/year. Private colleges in smaller cities cost PKR 1.5-2 million/year.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Tuition fee is not the only cost. Hostel and mess: PKR 60,000-150,000/year depending on the city. Books and equipment: PKR 20,000-40,000/year. Stethoscope, lab coat, and instruments: PKR 15,000-25,000 one-time. Examination fees: PKR 5,000-10,000 per year. Transportation: PKR 20,000-40,000/year. These add PKR 100,000-250,000 per year on top of tuition.
Total MBBS Cost: 5-Year Comparison
| College Type | Annual Fee | Hostel/Mess | Books/Other | Total 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Public (KEMU) | PKR 20,000 | PKR 80,000 | PKR 50,000 | PKR 750,000 |
| Other Public | PKR 25-50,000 | PKR 80,000 | PKR 50,000 | PKR 800,000-900,000 |
| Private (Mid) | PKR 1.5-2 million | PKR 120,000 | PKR 80,000 | PKR 8.5-11 million |
| Private (Top) | PKR 2.5-3 million | PKR 150,000 | PKR 100,000 | PKR 13.5-16 million |
Can International Students Study MBBS in Pakistan?
Yes. International students pay higher fees at both public and private colleges. Public colleges charge international students PKR 500,000-1,000,000 per year. Private colleges charge the same fee as local students or up to PKR 4 million per year for foreign applicants. International students also pay in US dollars at some institutions.
Hidden Costs and Scholarships
- Some colleges charge a one-time admission/registration fee of PKR 200,000-500,000
- HEC Need-Based Scholarship covers tuition for deserving students at public colleges
- PEEF provides financial aid to Punjab domicile students
- Several private colleges offer merit-based partial scholarships (10-50%)
- Bank loans are available (see our Student Loan guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
Co-Founder, Parhlai
Hadi Khan is a co-founder of Parhlai. He writes practical, fact-checked guides on entry-test preparation, university admissions, and study strategy for Pakistani students.
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