Calculator
PSLF or refinancing: which wins for you?
The answer depends on your employer type, loan balance, and projected income. Adjust the inputs to see which path saves you more money over your career.
Student Loan Analyzer
Compare PSLF vs. refinancing side by side
PSLF Eligible Employer
Non-profit or government hospital
PSLF
$401/mo
resident payment (est.)
Refinance
$2,652/mo
at 5% for 10yr
Potential savings with PSLF
$153,493
Important note
This is an estimate using simplified IBR assumptions. Your actual payments depend on family size, filing status, and specific plan rules. Refinancing federal loans disqualifies you from PSLF permanently.
Get a precise recommendation
We model your exact loan portfolio, employer type, and income trajectory to give you a definitive answer.
Schedule a Complimentary Loan ReviewThe PSLF decision is not one-size-fits-all
PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments (10 years) while working full-time for a qualifying non-profit or government employer. The key: payments during residency count.
The math generally favors PSLF when your loan balance exceeds 1.5× your projected attending salary. A $350,000 balance with a $250,000 attending income is a strong PSLF case. A $150,000 balance with a $400,000 income tilts toward refinancing.
Critical warning: refinancing federal loans into a private loan is a one-way door. You permanently lose access to PSLF, income-driven repayment plans, and federal forbearance options. Do not refinance before confirming PSLF is not in your future.
This calculator uses simplified IBR assumptions. Actual payments depend on family size, filing status, and whether you are on SAVE, PAYE, or IBR. We model your exact situation in our advisor review.