Source: SalaryDr Cardiology Resident Student Loan Data (2026). Median debt: $250,000. Median salary: $72,000. Debt-to-income: 3.47x. Sample: 9 approved salary reports. Attending median salary: $600,000. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/student-loans/cardiology
Cardiology Resident Student Loan Debt (2026)
The median cardiology resident carries $250,000 in student loan debt, with a median residency salary of $72,000 (3.47x debt-to-income ratio). Based on a median attending salary of $600,000, estimated payoff is approximately 3 years after training.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data (9 submissions) • Updated Oct 2026
Cardiology Student Loan Payoff Projection
Estimated time to pay off student loans after completing cardiology training, based on attending salary data from SalaryDr.
Based on the median attending cardiology salary of $600,000, a physician allocating 20% of gross income ($120,000/year) to loan repayment could pay off $250,000 in student loans in approximately 3 years at 6% annual interest.
Assumes 20% of gross attending income allocated to repayment at 6% annual interest. Actual results vary based on repayment strategy, interest rate, tax situation, and lifestyle.
FAQ: Cardiology Student Loan Debt
How much student loan debt do cardiology residents carry?
Based on 9 approved salary reports on SalaryDr, the median cardiology resident carries $250,000 in student loan debt. With a median residency salary of $72,000, the debt-to-income ratio is 3.47x.
How long does it take a cardiology physician to pay off student loans?
Based on a median attending cardiology salary of $600,000 and median debt of $250,000, a cardiology physician allocating 20% of gross income to loan repayment could pay off their loans in approximately 3 years at 6% interest.
Should cardiology residents pursue PSLF?
PSLF may be a good option for cardiology residents training at nonprofit or government hospitals. Residency years count toward the 120 qualifying payments. This is especially valuable if you plan to work at a qualifying employer after training.
Does cardiology residency length affect total debt burden?
While the loan principal is the same regardless of residency length, longer training programs mean more years of interest accruing at resident-level income. During residency, income-driven repayment plan payments typically do not cover accruing interest, so total debt may grow during training.
Student Loan Data for Other Specialties
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