how much does phd school cost

• Student Loans

How To Pay For A Ph.D.

Fact Checked

Updated: Jan 25, 2024, 12:13pm

If your heart is set on earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, you’ll join an elite club. In the United States, only 4.9 million people—about 2% of adults—hold a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree.

A Ph.D. can lead to a significantly higher salary. According to The College Board, the median earnings for those with doctoral degrees was $120,700, 38% more than the median for those with master’s degrees.

However, earning a Ph.D. can be an expensive endeavor. To avoid racking up too much debt, learn how to pay for a doctorate with grants, scholarships and other sources of financial aid.

What Does a Ph.D. Cost?

If your goal is to earn a Ph.D., be prepared for a significant investment of both time and money. Depending on the type of university you choose and your program, a Ph.D. usually takes three to five years to complete. If you attend school part-time, it can take even longer.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), tuition and fees cost, on average, $20,513 for the 2021-2022 academic year, so you’ll spend anywhere from $61,539 to $102,565 to complete a Ph.D. program. In addition, you’ll need to account for about $16,000 to $20,000 per year in added costs, such as room and board, supplies and other fees.

That total is on top of what you spent on a bachelor’s and master’s degree, so your education will likely cost well into the six figures. With such a high cost, it’s no surprise that many Ph.D. earners have substantial student loan balances.

7 Ways To Pay For a Ph.D.

Ph.D. costs can be significant, but a variety of financial aid opportunities can make the price tag more manageable. Paying for a Ph.D. is possible using the following options:

1. Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

Fully funded Ph.D. programs typically cover the cost of tuition and fees, and they also provide a monthly stipend for living expenses and health insurance. Some examples of fully funded Ph.D. programs include:

• Boston University . Attendees of Boston University’s Charles River Campus can take advantage of a fully funded model. The program includes 100% tuition coverage, a health insurance credit and a living expense stipend. Depending on your program, the stipend ranges from $27,318 to $40,977 per year.
• Duke University . At Duke University, Ph.D. students are guaranteed five years of tuition and living stipends and up to six years of full health and dental insurance coverage. The amount of financial support varies by program and stipend amounts range from $2,538 to $3,217 per month.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management . MIT’s fully funded Ph.D. program covers students for up to five years. The program pays for the full cost of tuition and provides students with a monthly stipend of $4,497, student medical insurance and a new laptop. Students also receive up to $4,500 for travel and conferences.

Not all universities offer fully funded Ph.D. programs, and existing programs are highly competitive. For example, the Stanford University Department of Political Science Ph.D. program selects 12 to 15 students per year.

2. Ph.D. Fellowship Programs

A fellowship program provides students with financial support so they can focus on their academic work. Issued based on the student’s academic merit or research achievements, fellowships may or may not have a service requirement attached.

Fellowships can come from universities, nonprofit organizations or government agencies. For example:

• American Psychological Association (APA) Doctoral Fellowship in Health and Substance Abuse Services . The APA fellowship is for full-time doctoral students who are committed to working in behavioral health. It provides up to three years of financial support, and the stipend amounts vary by year and program.
• Cornell Fellowship . Cornell University operates several fellowship programs. The Cornell Fellowship pays for one academic year of tuition, fees, health insurance and a stipend.
• U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program . The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a five-year fellowship that gives students three years of financial support. The fellowship includes an annual stipend of $37,000 and pays up to $16,000 per year in tuition and fees.

You can search for fellowship opportunities through the ProFellow database .

3. Doctoral Scholarships

Scholarships are available to Ph.D. students, and these merit-based awards can come from nonprofit organizations, private companies, states and government agencies. The award amounts vary, ranging from smaller awards that may only cover incidental expenses to more substantial awards of $20,000. For example:

• Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program . Certified public accountants (CPAs) intending to earn a Ph.D. in accounting can qualify for up to $20,000 through the Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program.
• American Library Association (ALA) Century Scholarship . The ALA Century Scholarship gives up to $2,500 to library school students with disabilities pursuing a doctoral degree.
• Washington State American Indian Endowed Scholarship . In Washington, Native American students can receive $500 to $2,500 to pay for their education at an eligible school within the state.

You can search for additional scholarship opportunities with tools like FastWeb or Scholarships.com .

4. Ph.D. Grants

Unlike scholarships, grants are usually awarded based on the student’s financial need. Ph.D. grants can be issued by states and nonprofit organizations. For example:

• José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund . This grant, issued to Hispanic students in Florida, is both need-based and merit-based. Eligible recipients can receive up to $2,000 per year.
• Organization For Autism Research Graduate Research Grant . Doctoral candidates conducting autism research can qualify for a grant of $2,000.
• Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program . Virginia residents attending an eligible university can receive between $5,000 and $12,500 per year in financial assistance.

You can find Ph.D. grant opportunities through your state education agency or CareerOneStop .

5. Employer Reimbursement

If you’re currently working full- or part-time, your employer may be willing to help with some of your education expenses. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 48% of employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement benefits.

Contact your human resources department to find out if tuition reimbursement is available and what you need to do to qualify for the benefit.

6. Federal Student Loans

Depending on the other financial aid you qualify for, you may need to borrow some money to cover your remaining expenses. Federal student loans are a good starting point since they have more borrower protections than other options, and you may qualify for loan forgiveness later on based on your employment.

Ph.D. students may qualify for either direct unsubsidized loans or grad PLUS loans. Unsubsidized loans have lower interest rates but have annual and aggregate borrowing maximums that your program may exceed. If that’s the case, you can use grad PLUS loans to pay for your remaining expenses.

To apply for federal loans, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and contact your university’s financial aid department.

7. Private Student Loans

If you aren’t eligible for federal loans or need to borrow more than the federal limits allow, private student loans are another way to pay for your Ph.D. Private loans come from banks, credit unions and other lenders, and your loan eligibility is based on your credit, income and whether you have a co-signer (someone who agrees to repay the loan if you miss payments).

If you have excellent credit, you could qualify for private loans with lower rates than you’d get with federal loans, and private student loans can have terms as long as 20 years.

If you decide to take out a private loan, compare quotes from several lenders offering loans for Ph.D. programs. Consider the rates, terms and overall repayment costs to find the best loan option.

Compare Student Loan Rates In Minutes

Compare rates from participating lenders via Credible.com

• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Best Student Loans For Bad or No Credit
• Best Parent Loans For College
• Best Graduate Student Loans
• Best Student Loans Without A Co-Signer
• Best International Student Loans
• Best 529 Plans
• SoFi Student Loans Review
• College Ave Student Loans Review
• Earnest Student Loans Review
• Ascent Student Loans Review
• Citizens Bank Student Loans Review
• Student Loan Calculator
• Student Loan Refinance Calculator
• Net Price Calculator
• What Is The FAFSA ?
• Applying Financial Aid Using The FAFSA
• When Is The FAFSA Deadline ?
• Answers To Biggest FAFSA Questions
• FAFSA Mistakes To Avoid
• Guide To Hassle-Free FAFSA Renewal
• How To Correct Or Change Your FAFSA
• How Do Student Loans Work?
• How To Get A Private Student Loan
• How To Refinance Student Loans
• How To Get A Student Loan Without Co-Signer
• How To Apply For Federal & Private Student Loans
• How To Pay Off Student Loan Debt
• How To Recover From Student Loan Default
• How Much Can You Borrow In Student Loans?

Next Up In Student Loans

• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders Of July 2024
• Student Loan Calculator: Estimate Your Payments
• Best Private Student Loans Of July 2024
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans Of July 2024
• Best Parent Loan For College Of July 2024: Parent PLUS Loan & Private Options
• How To Get A Student Loan Without A Co-Signer

Private Student Loan Rates: July 2, 2024—Loan Rates Decrease

Federal Judges Pause Parts Of SAVE Student Loan Forgiveness Program

SoFi Student Loans Review 2024

Private Student Loan Rates: June 25, 2024—Loan Rates Rise

Private Student Loan Rates: June 17, 2024—Loan Rates Fall

Private Student Loan Rates: June 11, 2024—Loan Rates Start To Increase

For the past seven years, Kat has been helping people make the best financial decisions for their unique situations, whether they're looking for the right insurance policies or trying to pay down debt. Kat has expertise in insurance and student loans, and she holds certifications in student loan and financial education counseling.

• Skip to main content
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Apply Apply
•   Follow Us

Do PhD Students Pay Tuition? Unpacking the Cost of a PhD

Choosing to pursue a PhD is a major milestone, but it comes with a host of concerns and questions. As a prospective doctoral student, you might wonder if you pay tuition for a PhD and how much that will cost.

In many cases, the answer is no, PhD students do not pay tuition. Instead, universities often provide their doctoral students with tuition waivers and funding packages to carry them through their years of study. 

However, it's important to bear in mind that this isn't always the case and the specifics can vary greatly. Navigating PhD funding can seem daunting at first, but understanding how tuition, stipends and other sources affect the out-of-pocket cost of a PhD can help you feel more confident in your decision.

How Much Does a PhD Cost?

Contrary to popular belief, the costs of a PhD program aren't set in stone. Factors like the institution, geographic location, field of study and funding support all play a role in how much you’ll actually pay for a doctoral program. Depending on your field, some PhD programs pay you . 

To give you a clearer picture, let's break down expenses and potential support.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are typically the most substantial expense. How much you pay depends on the institution offering the program and the field of study you choose. According to the Education Data Initiative , the average cost of a PhD specifically is $106,860, while the average cost of a doctorate degree in general is higher at $150,835.

You can expect a lower cost at public institutions ($93,670 on average) compared to private universities ($129,395 on average). Considering the time to complete a doctorate degree ranges from approximately 4 to 8 years, the duration of your studies can influence the total price.

While figures like this seem substantial, it's important to remember that scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for most PhD students. For instance, the average grant aid for a doctoral degree is $16,502 annually, and 21.4% of PhD students surveyed by the Education Data Initiative offset their costs with teaching assistantships. 

As a result, actual paid expenses are often much lower than the listed tuition and fees.

Books and Materials

The cost of study materials, including textbooks and research supplies, varies depending on the specific requirements of your field of study.

For example, PhD students in Earth Sciences or Chemistry might need to invest in lab equipment and materials, while students in Humanities may require numerous books and subscriptions to academic journals.

However, it's essential to note that many programs provide funding resources that help offset or eliminate these costs. Universities often offer subsidies or funds for research materials, and there are numerous grants and scholarships specific to different fields of study. Libraries and interlibrary loan systems can also be a valuable resource for accessing required books and academic journals.

Healthcare and Living 

Cost of living and healthcare can vary greatly depending on your circumstances and location. Major cities, for example, tend to have higher living costs than smaller towns or rural areas. 

The higher expenses in cities often correlate with increased access to resources, research opportunities and a wide variety of entertainment and lifestyle choices. On the other hand, smaller towns or rural areas might offer lower cost of living and fewer distractions but may limit access to extensive resources or opportunities.

Luckily, many universities offer annual stipends as part of their financial aid packages for PhD students. These stipends are designed to help you manage your living and healthcare expenses, allowing you to concentrate on your studies and research. Some universities may also provide budget-friendly on-campus housing options to help mitigate overall costs. 

Navigating the Financial Landscape of a PhD

The path to earning a PhD isn't just an academic journey, but a financial one too. While it's true that in many cases, PhD students don't pay tuition, it's crucial to understand that it’s ultimately variable depending on where and what you choose to study. Financial aid packages and stipends can be a substantial help, providing relief to both domestic and international students.

At the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, we pride ourselves in providing an environment that fosters academic excellence, research innovation and professional development. With the generous support of the Moody Foundation, we have expanded our funding opportunities, enabling a diverse range of talented students to become part of our community.

Our suite of financial resources, including fellowships, assistantships, and travel grants, aim to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and reduce financial barriers. By helping our students focus on their academic and research pursuits, we build a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive environment that sets the stage for future leaders to thrive.

learn more about

PhD funding at the Moody School.

Request more

Information.

Complete the form to reach out to us for more information

Published On

More articles, recommended articles for you, how to choose a phd program and compare offers.

You’ve been patiently waiting for your decision letters to roll in. Now you have the results, and...

How to Find PhD Scholarships and Grants

Financing your PhD studies can be challenging, but it's essential to your academic journey....

How PhD Students Get Paid

The most common questions (and biggest misconceptions) about getting a PhD revolve around money....

Browse articles by topic

Subscribe to.

• Majors & Careers
• Online Grad School
• Preparing For Grad School
• Student Life

How Much Does Grad School Cost? A Simple Guide

Are you wondering how much does grad school cost? Whether you’re on the fence about doing graduate studies or if you’ve decided and just doing your research and due diligence, you might be wondering about the average grad school cost.

It’s a fair thing to be thinking about, especially since going to grad school is a major life decision that can thoroughly affect your present and future.

There’s no doubt that graduate school can help you change your life. As long as you do well, your chances of getting further in your chosen career can improve significantly. Grad school can also help you get your foot in the door in whatever industry or field of interest you’d like to explore. However, while the idea of a better career might be enticing, there are quite a few realities that hinder many from going to grad school.

First, grad school is a major commitment. It requires a lot of time and work to attend classes, do fieldwork, and conduct research. So, chances are, if you’re going to grad school, you’ll probably have to shuffle your life around to accommodate your new schedule. Doing so can make it difficult to get a work-life balance that will keep you in good spirits — especially if you have to work while you do your studies.

Second, grad school can be expensive . So much so that many who go into graduate studies actually end up in debt since some graduate studies can cost over $100,000 for a two-year program . Doctorates and professional programs like medical school or law school can cost even more.

So how much does grad school cost, and is it really as expensive as you thought?

Table of Contents

How Much Does Grad School Cost on Average?

The cost of grad schools can vary depending on a few factors. It appears as though the average estimate for yearly tuition in public schools is $30,000/year. Private schools are more expensive, at an estimated average of $40,000/year.

Unfortunately, it can get even more expensive for students going into medical school, dental school, law school, and business school. And these are just the costs for tuition — the sad truth is, there are many other costs involved.

But before we get into those, you should know that there are many master’s degree programs and even doctorate programs that are quite affordable and within reach.

For example, there are more than 13,500 master’s degree programs with tuition fees ranging from $0 to $5,000 annually. There are also almost 1,000 programs that cost between $5,000 to $10,000 a year. Finding a program within your budget, seeking additional funding, and managing the other expenses below can help you make your dreams of graduate studies come true.

Other School Fees and Expenses

Aside from the tuition fees, there are also other costs involved that will have to come out of your pocket. So when you are debating how much does grad school cost, you will also need to factor in paying for books and other study materials that aren’t included in the tuition cost. At times, these study materials can cost somewhere in the thousands, especially when specific, irreplaceable textbooks are involved.

Living Expenses

A lot of the time, grad school students end up getting into a school that may be many miles away. If you find that this is most likely the case for you (which does tend to happen if you’re looking to get into a specific program only available in certain schools), there are a few things you might have to consider:

• Transport costs – If you’re fortunate enough that you don’t have to move so you can do your graduate studies, you may have to think about transport costs instead. Sadly, even if you’re just doing your studies part-time, transport costs will still eventually add up. The gas money or cost of public transport will have to be factored into how much you’ll need to be saving up for or taking out on a loan.
• Moving costs – If you find yourself having to move cities or states to study at your particular school, you’ll likely have to factor moving costs into your total costs. Unless you have a chance for student housing on campus, chances are you’ll need to rent an apartment or find a roommate. You might have to think about the moving costs, the security deposit, and furniture costs if you need to buy anything to get settled.
• Living expenses – Of course, you’ll also have to worry about your day-to-day expenses. That means food and utilities, at the very least. Doesn’t seem like such a big problem, but when factored into the tuition costs and the fact that your income might take a hit while you study, it might still lead to some stress.

Other Opportunity Costs

Opportunity cost doesn’t necessarily factor into the costs of grad school as much if you still plan to work full-time while you do part-time studies.

However, if you intend to focus on your studies and decide to give up working in the meantime, that means you might be giving up a lot of resources. You may lose out on part or all of your income as well as any benefits that you have along with your job. You may also lose out on retirement fund contributions. And, of course, there’s also going to be the time you end up taking away from your career and being in the job market.

Unless you can manage to balance your studies with all of your other pursuits, you may also need to take time off of your hobbies. This might be more the case if you’re working full-time and also trying to complete your studies.

And, if you go the route of a student loan, you may end up in a large amount of debt over time.

Student Loan Costs vs. Potential Earnings

Finally, another thing you may want to think about is how much debt you may accrue versus how much potential earnings you’d be missing out on. Unless you’re fully decided on going to grad school, this is a good point to weigh — how much would you have earned during the time you’re studying? Is it worth not going to grad school to keep those earnings instead, rather than accruing debt as you study?

Conversely, you should also think about the return on investment. For many, going to grad school is an investment not only in themselves but also in their future careers. Those who have graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree often see a bump in their future earnings.

On average, people end up with 25% more earnings than they would if they hadn’t gone to grad school. Some fields can see as little as a 10-15% increase, while others can earn as much as 60-150% more. With such a bump in earnings, it may be less troublesome to pay back loans in the long run, especially if you manage to get into your career of choice.

If the sticker shock doesn’t immediately dissuade you from going for graduate studies, you might be relieved to know that there are many ways for you to lower the yearly costs of graduate studies.

Can You Lower the Cost of Grad School?

Some people who go into grad school manage to lower their costs overall by using a few different tactics. Thankfully, some schools will help their students budget more easily by letting them pay as they go. Some of the other methods are below.

Scholarships and Grants

One of the most common — and best — ways that people lower the costs of their education is by getting a scholarship or a grant. Scholarships and grants are some of the best ways to fund an education partially or fully, but they do require students to achieve certain requirements. Unlike loans, neither of these options needs to be paid back at all.

Many scholarships and grants are offered by the schools themselves. However, they can also come from many different sources, such as private trusts, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and other charitable organizations. Sometimes, even businesses and corporations may offer them.

A few scams are circulating online, however, so it’s best to be careful when you’re looking for a scholarship.

Fellowships

Fellowships are usually reserved for people studying for their doctorates, but a lot of them are also open to master’s degree students. A fellowship is often merit-based, especially since they are designed to allow you to study full-time and participate in research as well without you having to worry about your finances. Fellowships are offered either by the schools themselves or by research or professional organizations.

If you want to be eligible for the different sources of funding listed, you’ll have to first complete the FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA establishes your financial aid eligibility. It also helps the schools with deciding whether they want to award you a grant or scholarship.

On-Campus School Costs vs. Online School Costs

Another thing you can consider is whether you want to study on campus or do online classes.

This may not always be possible since some programs may require your physical presence during studies.

However, if online school is possible, it may help you cut a lot of your costs. Online school can help you avoid the following:

• Moving and any related costs, as well as housing and on-campus costs
• Transportation costs and parking fees
• Sometimes, you may be able to avoid out-of-state tuition costs
• Personal expenses associated with your studies

Often, online studies can also mean a lower cost to pay per credit.

Is the Return on Investment Worth Going to Grad School?

Before you can make a final decision about grad school, you will need to weigh up how much does grad school cost and if it is worth the investment? And most of the time, grad school is a good investment. You may be going into debt, but in the end, once you’ve finished your graduate studies, you’ll also be earning more. Doing the computations for your specific case can help you figure out whether the ROI is worth going through the effort of grad school.

However, money isn’t the only factor. Some people go to grad school to follow their passion and get fulfillment by working in their chosen field of interest. If you need grad school to further your career, don’t allow money to get in the way of your dreams. For more strategies on how to pay for grad school, check out our in-depth guide here.

Chriselle Sy

Chriselle has been a passionate professional content writer for over 10 years. She writes educational content for The Grad Cafe, Productivity Spot, The College Monk, and other digital publications.  When she isn't busy writing, she spends her time streaming video games and learning new skills.

• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ The Best Academic Planners for 2024/2025
• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ Graduate Certificate vs Degree: What’s the Difference? [2024 Guide]
• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ The 18 Best Scholarships for Black Students in 2024-2025
• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ The 25 Best Gifts for Nursing Students in 2024

How Long Does It Take To Get a Master’s Degree? (2024)

Graduate school scholarships: a comprehensive guide, related posts.

• Computer Science Graduate Admission Trends: Annual Results

• The Best Academic Planners for 2024/2025

Breaking Records: Yale Sees Most Selective Grad Admissions Season Yet

12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It? [2024 Guide]

Graduate Certificate vs Degree: What’s the Difference? [2024 Guide]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• How New Grads Research Companies to Find Jobs
• Experience Paradox: Entry-Level Jobs Demand Years in Field
• Grad Trends: Interest in Artificial Intelligence Surges

© 2024 TheGradCafe.com All rights reserved

• Partner With Us
• Results Search
• Submit Your Results
• Write For Us

Tuition and Costs

There are many factors to consider when choosing a graduate program and cost is certainly one of them. Learn more about HGSE's academic programs in addition to our tuition and cost of attendance.

Tuition Charges

The following tuition and fee charges are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change for future years. Tuition and fee charges for the 2025-2026 academic year are published in March 2025. Summary (PDF) of tuition and cost information for the current 2023-2024 academic year.

HGSE is committed to helping you achieve your academic and career goals – and offers many financial aid options to support you.

Full Cost Details

Please note the Standard Student Budget includes actual tuition and fee amounts as well as estimated allowances for related educational expenses. Tuition and Health Insurance Fees are expenses that are directly billed to students, while all other categories are estimated allowances that should not be exceeded. Financial aid eligibility is determined using the following standard cost estimates, updated estimates are published annually in March for the upcoming academic year. Summary (PDF) of tuition and cost information for the current 2023-2024 academic year.

View Standard Residential Ed.M. & C.A.S. Details

View Standard Part-Time Online Ed.M. Details

View Full-Time Ed.L.D. Details

^ Ed.L.D. students receive a guaranteed funding package to cover these costs.

* Year 2 in the Ed.L.D Program is a 10 month academic year, while Years 1 and 3 are 9 month academic years.

For full details regarding Ph.D. Program costs, visit the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Cost of Attendance .

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee costs are subject to change and are determined each year. Please be aware that future tuition costs, fees, and standard student budget amounts may differ from year to year. Updated figures will be published on this website and in future editions of the Financing Your Education guide , which is updated on a yearly basis. Information regarding health insurance fees, coverage, and waivers can be found on the Harvard University Student Health Program website . Online part-time Ed.M. students will not be automatically enrolled into the comprehensive student health insurance program. Information regarding billing and payment dates can be found through Harvard Student Accounts .

• Full-time and part-time student tuition and course credit policies

Questions regarding tuition and course credit policies can be directed to the  HGSE Office of the Registrar . 

How Much Does a PhD Cost?

How much does a PhD cost? Before you enroll in a doctoral program, you may have this pressing question on your mind.

The price of earning your PhD can vary greatly from one school to another, so it can help to pay close attention to the average costs at different institutions.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Once you have a better idea of the cost of earning this degree, you can make a plan for your doctoral studies and work toward achieving your goals.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average doctoral student earning a research degree pays $16,526 in tuition per year. [1]

Plus, on average, there’s an additional $16,320 in non-tuition fees and expenses each year. That makes the average annual cost of a PhD $32,846. [1] It’s common to spend 3 to 5 years or more in a PhD program. That can seem like a staggering amount of money at first. You may be relieved to know, though, that you might not have to pay the entire amount yourself.

Many PhD candidates receive a good deal of support to help with their studies. PhD students fund their educations in a variety of ways, including:

• Fellowships
• Program-based funding

Program-based funding may include a stipend, a tuition waiver, and even benefits like health insurance. Fully funded online PhD programs are available, and in these programs, students are not responsible for covering any of the expenses associated with their doctoral education. It’s not always necessary to go into debt to pursue doctoral studies. Many students graduate from PhD programs without having incurred any debt.

One of the biggest assets that can help you graduate debt-free is an assistantship opportunity. You may be able to secure a role as a teaching or research assistant. In exchange for your work, you might receive a tuition waiver, a stipend, and other benefits.

Both the tuition at your school and the stipend you may receive will vary depending on where you enroll. To learn more about Ivy League costs, you can review the following table.

• Brown University: Tuition , stipends
• Columbia University: Tuition , stipends
• Cornell University: Tuition , stipends
• Dartmouth College: Tuition , stipends
• Harvard University: Tuition , stipends ( Engineering & Biological Sciences )
• Princeton University: Tuition, stipends
• University of Pennsylvania: Tuition , stipends
• Yale University: Tuition , stipends

This chart will give you an idea of typical PhD expenses at some of the top public universities.

• University of Arizona: Tuition , stipends
• Florida International University: Tuition , stipends ( Business & Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship Program )
• Georgia State University: Tuition , stipends
• Ohio State: Tuition , stipends
• Texas A&M: Tuition , stipends ( Chemistry & Chemical Engineering )
• University of Central Florida: Tuition , stipends
• University of Florida: Tuition , stipends ( Engineering & English )
• University of Illinois: Tuition , stipends ( Math & Communication )
• University of Minnesota: Tuition , stipends ( Management & Public Health )
• University of Texas: Tuition , stipends ( Computer Science & Biology )

These rates reflect general tuition and stipends at the above schools, but the rates may vary somewhat depending on your program and the terms of your assistantship.

For example, you’re likely to earn more for a half-time assistantship than for a quarter-time one, and you’re likely to earn more for a 12-month assignment than for a 9-month one.

Factors That Affect the Average Cost of a Doctorate Degree

Many different elements will play into the overall price of earning your degree. One major factor is the type of school you attend. The following figures are based on data from the Urban Institute. [4]

Choice of School

• Private for-profit : $13,520 average annual tuition
• Private nonprofit : $25,160 average annual tuition
• Public in-state : $11,000 average annual tuition
• Public out-of-state : $22,590 average annual tuition

How long it takes to earn your degree can make a difference as well. The National Science Foundation offers data on how long PhD students in various fields are often in school. [5]

Program Length by Field of Study

• Education : 5.7 years
• Engineering : 5.3 years
• Humanities and arts : 6.8 years
• Life sciences : 5.5 years
• Mathematics and computer sciences : 5.7 years
• Physical sciences : 5.6 years
• Psychology and social sciences : 6.0 years

Online studies may change your costs. The tuition is often similar, but on-campus residency can be more expensive than living at home. Consider, for example, the graduate housing costs at the University of Miami. [6]

Online vs. On-Campus Housing Costs

• Living on-campus : $24,120 annually
• Living with a relative : $8,664 annually

On the other hand, teaching and research assistantships are less common for online PhD programs than on-campus ones. Even with housing costs, you may, then, spend less for on-campus studies.

Professional Doctorate Degree Cost

A PhD is not the only type of doctorate. There are also professional doctorates available, such as a Doctor of Podiatry (DPM) or a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

The following data from the National Center for Education Statistics provides an overview of the average doctoral degree cost annually. [1]

• Books and materials : $1,196
• Non-tuition costs and fees : $23,745
• Tuition : $34,910

In general, professional practice doctorates are more expensive than PhDs. According to the Urban Institute, 30% of professional practice doctoral programs have published annual tuition rates of more than $30,000. [2] Only 22% of PhD programs fall into that price category.

It’s also worth noting that doctoral students in professional programs are less likely to receive stipends, tuition waivers, and other benefits that often make school more affordable for PhD students.

Paying for a PhD

There are many ways to handle your PhD program cost. Perhaps you have the means to pay for your schooling on your own. If not, you may benefit from an assistantship, federal student aid, or the financial support of your workplace.

According to the National Science Foundation, the majority of students fund their PhDs through assistantships. [7] Further NSF data about primary funding sources is listed here.

Also, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that students earning research doctorates took out, on average, $20,500 in loans. [3]

Graduate students may be eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans.

Student Loan Debt of PhD Graduates

When it comes to the cost of a PhD, what you study can be as important as any of the other factors. As a general rule, people who get research doctoral degrees in education are much more likely to graduate with debt than other doctoral students.

The following data from the Urban Institute supports this idea. [8]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average non-education PhD graduate had a loan balance of $98,800. [9] For those with degrees in education, the average balance was $111,900.

If you are interested in a degree in education, you may want to pay particular attention to the tuition costs and benefits available at the schools you’re considering.

Is a PhD Degree Worth It?

Yes, a PhD degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that unemployment rates are quite low among people with doctoral degrees. The overall American unemployment rate is 4.7%.

Among people with doctorates, the unemployment rate is only 1.5%. [10] Plus, a PhD can put you on the path toward a research role or a tenured career in academia. In addition, it is an impressive personal accomplishment.

If you’re considering pursuing a terminal degree, then you’ve probably been wondering, “How much is a PhD?” Now that you know, you can start your search for the accredited school that’s right for you.

[1] National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: 2016 Graduate Students (NPSAS:GR). US Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics.

[2] Figure 3. Baum, Sandy and Patricia Steele. The Price of Graduate and Professional Schools: How Much Students Pay (PDF). Urban Institute. NCES, NPSAS 2012.

[3] Table A-8: Average amounts of selected types of financial aid received by graduate students. US Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics.

[4] Appendix A. Baum, Sandy and Patricia Steele. The Price of Graduate and Professional School: How Much Students Pay (PDF). Urban Institute. NCES, NPSAS 2012.

[5] Table 31. Median years to doctorate, by major field of study: Selected years, 1994–2019. National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates.

[6] 2023-2024 Estimated Graduate Cost of Attendance . University of Miami. Graduate Professional Financial Assistance.

[7] Table 35. Doctorate recipients’ primary source of financial support, by broad field of study, sex, citizenship status, ethnicity, and race: 2019. National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates.

[8] Baum, Sandy and Patricia Steele. Graduate and Professional School Debt: How Much Students Borrow (PDF). Urban Institute. 2018.

[9] Trends in Student Loan Debt for Graduate School Completers (PDF). Spotlights. The Condition of Education 2018. National Center for Education Statistics.

[10] Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment, 2021 . Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Tuition, Funding, & Living Costs
• PhD/Master's Application Process

All PhD students at Yale are fully funded. On average, doctoral students at Yale receive more than $500,000 in tuition fellowships, stipends, and health care benefits over the course of their enrollment. Some terminal Master's degree students also receive funding.

Tuition for full-time study at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the academic year 2024-2025 is $49,500.

More information on Tuition & Fees is available in our Programs & Policies handbook. Please note that we do not charge many of the fees common to other schools (e.g., technology fee, library fee, gym fee, student activities fee).

See Student Accounts for billing and payment inquiries.

For PhD Degree Applicants

All PhD students at Yale receive the following financial award, typically for a minimum of five years:

• a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition ($49,500 for 2024-2025)
• a 12-month stipend (minimum of $49,538 for 2024-2025)
• comprehensive health insurance, including hospitalization coverage and specialty care for students, their legal spouse, and their children
• a family support subsidy for graduate students with children under the age of 18

Additionally, a Dean's Emergency Fund is available to help students with eligible, unanticipated emergency expenses. In some cases, the Continuing Registration Fee for advanced PhD students is also covered by the Graduate School.

Most PhD students complete their degrees without incurring debt.

For Master's Degree Applicants

Most students pursuing Master's degrees do not receive financial support from the Graduate School and are responsible for paying tuition, but some programs offer limited funding. Please check with the program that interests you for more information.

All Master's students registered at least half time receive Student Basic Coverage at Yale Health. You are also eligible to purchase Hospitalization and Specialty Care coverage at a group rate through the university.

Other Sources of Funding

Many of our students win external fellowships and grants. See our External Fellowships & Awards page for more information on how an external award will affect your Yale funding.

Some students choose to take loans, participate in work-study programs, or engage in part-time employment to supplement their funding while in Graduate School. More information is available on Other Means of Financing Graduate Education .

Living Cost Estimates

To ensure that our financial aid package provides enough support to enable you to live in New Haven and study full time, we developed a cost-of-living guide (see below). The Office of Financial Aid also uses these calculations to determine financial need as required by certain funding sources and for immigration processes.

Estimated average living expenses include housing and food, transportation, personal and academic expenses (excluding tuition), and hospitalization coverage and specialty care. Expenses for doctoral students may actually be less than the estimate below, since PhD financial packages cover the full cost of single-student hospitalization and specialty care coverage in the Yale Health Plan, as well as half the cost of two-person coverage (for spouses and partners), and the full cost to cover children.

2024-2025 Academic Year Living Cost Estimate:

9-MONTH LIVING COST (Master's Students):

• Single Student: $30,875

12-MONTH LIVING COST (PhD Students):

• Single Student: $39,651  

Graduate Financial Aid

• [email protected]
• 203-432-2739
• 246 Church Street, 2nd Floor

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How Much Does a PhD Cost?

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Learn about our editorial policies

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Obtaining a PhD is a great way to open up your career options and fulfill personal goals. If you’re deciding whether to go back to your school for a doctorate degree, make sure to get a picture of what it will cost you beforehand so you can make an educated financial choice. In this article, we take a deep dive into how much a PhD costs, including non-tuition expenses and hidden costs. We also list the pros and cons of earning a PhD, as well as ways to fund your degree if it is the right choice for you. Let’s get started! 

What is a PhD? 

“PhD” is the abbreviated title for “Doctor of Philosophy.”  A PhD is an academic degree that qualifies the degree holder to teach at the university level or work in specialized positions in certain fields. PhDs generally focus on STEM research and teaching fields. 

Keep reading : Everything you need to know about a doctorate degree

How much does a PhD cost? 

It usually takes around eight years to earn a PhD at an average tuition cost of 81,000 . 

The true cost of a PhD is very dependent on the following factors: 

• Choice of school
• Field of study
• Type of PhD 
• Location of school
• Dollar amount of student loans

Also see: What is the average amount of graduate school debt?

Other costs associated with receiving a PhD

Living expenses .

In addition to the cost of tuition involved in earning a PhD, there are numerous outside factors that add to the total spent. These predominantly include living expenses such as housing, food, insurance, and transportation. The cost of these necessities will vary depending on the state, city of residence, and number of years it takes to earn a PhD. Therefore, it is important to consider all these factors when planning to earn a PhD. 

Hidden costs of a PhD

Besides just the monetary cost of a PhD, receiving this degree has some hidden costs that can affect whether a PhD is truly worth it. Let’s look at some of the most important hidden costs.

Receiving a PhD takes a long time! If you want to earn a PhD, it will take up to eight years to do so. 

Delayed opportunities

Because receiving a PhD takes time, this means there may be work and life opportunities and experiences you miss out on or have to delay.

Lost income

While focusing on earning a PhD, you will need to focus on your education rather than maintaining a steady flow of income from a job. You will most likely not be able to hold down a full-time job while completing your PhD schooling. 

The chance of not finishing

Unfortunately, it is quite common to start but not earn a PhD. There are a lot of factors that hinder students from receiving their PhD, including the following: 

• Realization they do not want a PhD
• Lack of ability to pay for a PhD
• Inability to maintain a school work balance

Ways to fund your PhD 

Luckily, prospective PhD candidates have numerous options to help them fund their education. Typically, PhD students turn to a variety of funding sources, including scholarships, grants, studentships, loans, and employer sponsorships. 

PhD Scholarships

There are a variety of scholarships out there intended for PhD students to help them on their academic journey. These funds can typically be used for tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Try checking out our very own Gutsy Graduate Scholarship to get started!

Grants are very similar to scholarships. They provide money for students for tuition and other academic expenses.

Studentships

A “studentship” is a name that is most often used for PhD scholarships. Studentships are an opportunity for PhD students to receive funding in order to ease financial pressures. Traditionally, studentships are awarded based on merit and achievement. 

Loans are a common way of funding PhD students. The US Department of Education offers Direct PLUS loans as well as Direct Unsubsidized Loans to graduate and professional students. 

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are opportunities to earn money while taking on a position that allows you to make connections and obtain skills in your field. There are various types of assistantships such as teaching and research assistants. Depending on your institution and professor, your role may vary widely depending on what your professor is working on. So, it is important to do your research before accepting an assistantship to determine if it is the right role for you. An assistantship typically functions as a job where you serve a certain number of hours and will be paid for your labor. 

Fellowships

Fellowships can vary widely depending on the institution; however it is essentially funding granted to students to help lower the cost of education. A fellowship is typically a merit-based scholarship for advanced study of an academic subject and is granted to the top candidates in their class. Graduate fellowships typically will cover the cost of tuition as well as a stipend to be used to cover the cost of living which makes graduate studies affordable for academically-driven students. 

Further reading : Assistantships vs. fellowships: What’s the difference? 

Employer sponsorships

In some cases, you may be eligible to receive employer sponsored funding to earn a PhD. In order to do this, you will usually need to demonstrate to your employer that receiving a PhD will also benefit the company as a whole. 

Also see: Top graduate school scholarships

Is a PhD worth it? 

The answer depends on the individual student’s goals and financial situation. There are many pros and cons associated with receiving a PhD. We include a few of the most common reasons below. 

• Access to more prestigious and high-paying jobs
• Development of skills
• Networking opportunities 
• Can make significant contributions to your field of study 
• Financial costs/debt
• Isolating and lonely experience for some
• Stress associated with academic rigor
• Limited job openings after graduation 
• Loss of valuable job experience and opportunities
• Length of time to earn a PhD

Some questions to ask yourself before pursuing a PhD

• Why do I want a PhD? 
• Am I financially prepared to fund a PhD?
• What jobs will be available to me after receiving a PhD?
• Do I have the prerequisites and experience to move forward to a PhD program? 

Related: What is a research university?

Overall cost of PhD

In total, earning a PhD involves a considerable investment of time and money. It can also put you in touch with incredible peer support, mentors, and resources, and be incredibly rewarding and help you start down the path towards your dream career. Be sure you are confident in your decision before starting your PhD journey, and best of luck to you! 

Also see: Grad school financing options

Start your scholarship search

• Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
• Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Frequently asked questions about the cost of a PhD

Is there a difference in cost for phd’s in different fields, do ph.d. students typically receive funding, how can i lower the cost of pursuing a phd, scholarships360 recommended.

When is the 2024-2025 FAFSA Deadline?

Pell Grant Eligibility: Do You Qualify?

How to Pay for College (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Trending now.

What Does My FAFSA EFC Number Mean?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

SRFS Utility Links

• University Catalog
• Financial Wellness @ Penn
• University of Pennsylvania

SRFS Drawer Menu

• Back to main menu
• Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies
• Undergraduate Summer Session
• Graduate School of Education
• Penn Carey Law
• PSOM Master's & Certificate Programs
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate Dental Education
• School of Engineering and Applied Science
• School of Nursing
• School of Social Policy and Practice
• School of Veterinary Medicine
• Weitzman School of Design
• Wharton School
• PhD Programs
• Graduate Summer Session
• Liberal and Professional Studies Graduate Program Costs
• Estimate Your Costs
• Understanding Your Bill
• Penn.Pay FAQ
• Third Party Payment Contracts
• Payment Status
• Wire Transfer Instructions
• Tuition Refund Plan
• Billing Schedule
• Penn Payment Plan
• Tuition Prepayment Plan
• Types of Loans
• Federal Student Loan Repayment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Federal Loan Consolidation
• Student Loan Exit Counseling
• Line of Credit
• Student Account Refunds
• Local Banks
• Billing Contacts
• Student Fund Recovery
• Financial Aid 101
• How We Determine Need
• Facts and Figures
• Applying for Financial Aid
• Mayor's Scholarship FAQ
• Outside Scholarships
• Federal Direct Loan (Undergraduate)
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Undergraduate)
• Federal Direct Loan (Graduate)
• Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
• Health Professions Student Loan
• Nursing Student Loan
• Private Alternative Loans
• Comparing Graduate Loan Options
• Return to Federal Repayment FAQ
• Graduate Student Loans FAQ
• International Student Work-Study
• Summer Funding
• Emergency Funding
• FAFSA Comment Code Guide
• Federal Verification
• Undergraduate Counseling
• Highly Aided Undergraduate Counseling
• Graduate Counseling
• International Students and U.S. Taxes
• Financial Aid for Undocumented Residents
• International Student FAQ
• VA Chapter Benefits - Current and Prospective Students
• Veteran Status for Federal Aid
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• Using Your Benefits
• Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
• VA Benefits FAQ
• VA Disclosures and Resources
• Highly Aided Summer Funding
• Highly Aided Break Meal Program
• Financial Aid Forms
• Search for a Job
• Federal Work-Study
• Non-Work Study
• Pay Schedule
• Receiving Your Pay
• Federal Work-Study Community Service
• Information for Off-Campus Employers
• Student Employment Forms
• Student Employment FAQ
• Contact Student Employment
• Course Registration
• Penn Academic Calendar
• Final Exam Information
• Transcript Key
• Grade Mode Change
• Course Action Notices
• Notary Services
• Graduation Application
• Enrollment and Degree Verification
• Update Required Contact Information
• Quaker Consortium
• External Credit FAQs
• Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence
• Student Privacy
• Publications
• Student Financial Responsibility Statement
• Pennant Access Requests
• Pennant Aid Resources
• Pennant Aid Support
• Pennant Records Resources & Support
• Curriculum Manager (CM) Contacts
• CourseLeaf Section Scheduler (CLSS)
• Advisors - Advising
• Advisors - CAN
• Advisors - Degree Works
• Advisors - Pennant Workflow
• Advisors - Personal Information
• Advisors - Student Records
• Advisors - Videos
• Faculty and Instructors - Class Lists
• Faculty and Instructors - Course Action Notices
• Faculty and Instructors - Courses-at-Penn
• Faculty and Instructors - Grading
• Faculty and Instructors - Pennant Workflow
• Faculty and Instructors - Personal Information
• Faculty and Instructors - Videos
• Faculty and Instructors - XCAT
• School Registrars and Administrators - Advisors
• School Registrars and Administrators - Grades
• School Registrars and Administrators - Graduation
• School Registrars and Administrators - Graduate Forms
• School Registrars and Administrators - Legacy Records
• School Registrars and Administrators - Matriculated Students
• School Registrars and Administrators - Pennant Workflow
• School Registrars and Administrators - Personal Information
• School Registrars and Administrators - Registration
• School Registrars and Administrators - Student Records
• School Registrars and Administrators - Videos
• School Registrars and Administrators - XCAT
• Students - CAN
• Students - Degree Audit
• Students - Exceptions to Policy
• Students - Grades
• Students - Graduation
• Students - Personal Information
• Students - Major-Minor Updates
• Students - Registration
• Students - XCAT
• Pennant Accounts Feeder App FAQ
• Pennant Graduate Funding
• Pennant Plus
• Pennant Accounts Forms
• Pennant Cost of Attendance Workflow
• Pennant Accounts Support
• Banner Navigation Quick Reference Guides
• Data Warehouse Collection
• Pennant Glossary
• Advising@Penn
• Courses@Penn
• Grading Guidelines
• Tuition Distribution Process
• University Classroom and Facility Scheduling

SRFS Below Traversable

• SRFS Offices
• Events & Deadlines

PhD Program Costs

Srfs sidebar menu.

Costs listed below reflect the 2024-2025 academic year.

Most of our PhD programs are fully funded, meaning that for 4-5 years, the program will pay for your tuition and fees, as well as provide you with a stipend. In 2024-25, the University minimum stipend is $39,425; some PhD programs provide more. After your guaranteed funding period, you may be responsible for paying reduced tuition and fees. These details can be explained by the PhD program to which you are applying. Living expenses and the cost of books should also be considered as you plan your budget for the academic year. 

Living Expenses

Annenberg, Arts & Sciences, Design, Education, Social Policy & Practice

Engineering

Nursing, Wharton

Biomedical Sciences

Type a word or phrase into the search box to find the answers you need.

3451 Walnut Street University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104 Mon, Wed., Thu., Fri.: 9am-5pm Tue: 10am-5pm Sat, Sun: Closed

Footer Menu

• Privacy Policy
• Report Accessibility Issues and Get Help

©2024 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Tuition Costs & Fees

About Graduate Tuition and Fees

Our Office of the Registrar website has a detailed break-down of fees, depending on which type of graduate degree you’re pursuing.

The tuition, fees, and charges are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures are not final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by state funding reductions. Accordingly, final approved levels (and thus a student’s final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown.

Fees include student services fees, tuition, campus fee, class pass transit fee, health insurance, nonresident fees (if applicable), document management fees and other fees related to your specific type of degree.

Beyond tuition, you’ll need to factor in supplies and lab fees and also be aware that several professional degree programs are subject to different tuition and fee schedules.

The cost of living in the Bay Area, which is significantly higher than the national average, is balanced by the considerable advantages of attending a world-class institution in proximity to vibrant hubs of innovation. While your personal expense budget (including housing, food and transportation) is up to you, you can expect to pay upwards of $28,000 or more per year .

But don’t be put off.  Financial aid, fellowships and teaching appointments can reduce these costs and cover the cost of tuition and fees for many Berkeley graduate students. The Graduate Division can help you navigate your funding options.

Want to Get your Dissertation Accepted?

Discover how we've helped doctoral students complete their dissertations and advance their academic careers!

Join 200+ Graduated Students

Get Your Dissertation Accepted On Your Next Submission

Get customized coaching for:.

• Crafting your proposal,
• Collecting and analyzing your data, or
• Preparing your defense.

Trapped in dissertation revisions?

How much does a phd cost, published by steve tippins on february 1, 2019 february 1, 2019.

Last Updated on: 6th June 2024, 01:36 am

Many people have dreams of getting a PhD and returning to the classroom to guide young students. Others want to complete a doctorate to embark on a career of cutting-edge research.

These are admirable reasons to embark on the road towards getting a PhD. However, it’s important to consider the cost of a PhD before embarking on this journey. How much does a PhD cost? And more importantly, is it worth the price?

Share this Image On Your Site

Average Cost of a PhD

The average time it takes to complete a PhD is just over 8 years. That’s right, 8 years. The average cost of a PhD program is $30,000 per year, which comes to a grand total of $240,000 over the course of eight years. Almost a quarter of a million dollars.

Of course, this is just the average cost of a PhD–chances are your specific program will cost either more or less, and you might not take as long to finish. Then again, you might take longer. So, these are just estimates. You may be able to come up with a more accurate estimate by looking at your specific program and field. But no matter the details, it is vital to consider how much money you’ll actually be spending and whether it’s worth the investment.

However, when considering the cost of a PhD, tuition is just the beginning. If you only look at the price tag without considering the hidden costs, you may be in for a rough few years. In order to fully answer the question, “How much does a PhD cost,” we have to look at some other factors as well.

The Hidden Cost of a PhD

There are more costs than just dollars and cents when pursuing anything, and a PhD is no exception. Here are some of the hidden costs to be aware of when considering the cost of a PhD.

Eight years is a long time. Even three years is a substantial time investment. Getting a doctoral degree means that you will be investing a great deal of time into this quest. Before you begin, remember that you can only be in one place at a time so you will inevitably miss out on other opportunities. What do you spend your time on now? Consider whether you’re willing to give that up for the most part for a few years.

Lost/Delayed Opportunities

If you go to graduate school full-time you most likely will not be able to hold down a full-time job. That means that your career will be put on hold. If you go to graduate school part-time you can still keep your job but the demands of graduate school may mean that you might miss potential promotions.

Missed time with family and friends

The demands of a graduate program are substantial. There are classes and then there is homework. It is not like in undergraduate school where you might have been able to dash off a homework assignment 15 minutes before class. In graduate school you are expected to provide thoughtful and considered submissions. This can take a great deal of time.

This time commitment may mean missing events with your family and friends . I have seen many cases where a graduate student attends a soccer game or dance recital with her/his laptop and works on an assignment through the entire event. They are there, but are they really present? Make sure that your family is on board with you getting your degree. Their support can be invaluable, but their lack of support could mean having to pay back debt for a degree you never finished, or worse yet, resentment from those you love the most.

Income you could have had

If you do give up a career, you will lose that income. If you maintain your career, you may miss out on promotions and larger raises. This means lower income while in school. Recognize that there is no guarantee you will make this income back once you finish your degree. Depending on your field of study, you may actually make less money as a professor than you could at a professional job outside academia.

Foregone future benefits

You may have a number of benefits at work. For example, a 401(k) with employer matching. If you are not working, you will lose both your contribution and any employer matches. If your income is diminished, your 401(k) contributions may be lower. This will not impact your current income but it may reduce your retirement income.

The cost of not finishing

While your intention will obviously be to complete the program and get hooded at the end of the journey, the reality for 50% of those beginning a doctorate don’t finish . If you end up among them, will you regret beginning the program? How will you repay the student loans?

Is It Worth It to Get a PhD? Benefits of a Doctorate Program

With all of those costs, there must be some reasons people go through the mental and financial hardship of getting a PhD. And of course there are. Here are a few.

Positive income

On the bright side, at many schools PhD students go to school tuition free (at this point, tuition waivers are not considered income for tax purposes) and get small stipends to teach and help do research. This benefit can offset many of the costs, but you will find that these stipends do not allow for a lavish lifestyle. Many people in this position take out loans to cover living expenses.

Non-monetary benefits

If your ultimate career includes a full-time faculty job, then one of the benefits is a flexible schedule. Rarely do teaching faculty have to comply to a strict 9 to 5 schedule. Additionally, they get time off when students get time off. A flexible schedule can allow you to be more present in other areas of life, such as with your family. As a professor, I took the summers to spend time with family and explore the world. We bicycled through Northern France one summer and traveled to the Galapagos Islands another. These are experiences that I’ll always cherish.

There are also non-monetary benefits relating to creating a life of meaning. If you feel a sense of purpose in your job, you’ll have a happier daily existence than if you toil away at something that feels pointless. Since people with more education often get more control over their careers, the doctorate may enable more opportunities to find or create meaningful work.

Your getting a PhD might also be meaningful to those who know and love you. Will it serve your family or community to get a doctorate? How might your personal sacrifices be worth the effort, once you have achieved this goal on behalf of those you care about?

How Much Does a PhD Cost? Final Thoughts

The dream of getting a PhD drives many to enroll before considering all of the costs. I urge you to consider all possible costs and benefits when considering a PhD program. If you decide to enroll in a PhD program, consider options that can help you finish your degree faster, saving you money in the long run.

Asking the question, “How much does a PhD Cost” should always be followed by a second question: “Why do I want to get a PhD?” It’s important to consider the amount of money you’d be spending and consider whether it’s worth the investment. What else could you do with a quarter million dollars? Start a business? Buy a home? Feed the hungry?

Your reasons for getting a PhD are where you’ll find the answer to whether it’s worth the cost. If you’re confident your research could contribute to advances in developing a cure for cancer and you want to contribute what you can no matter the cost, it may be worth spending the money to get a PhD. If you’re deeply passionate about a certain subject and feel it’s your life purpose to ignite the same passion in young minds, getting a PhD may be the perfect choice for you.

But if you’re doing it to get a promotion or a better job, you might be better off looking into other options. In these cases, a PhD may not be worth the cost.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

Related Posts

Academic Career

Bipoc academics matter: diversity in academia is long overdue.

We at Beyond PhD Coaching firmly believe that diversifying academia is both necessary and important – and well past overdue.  There’s no denying that higher education equals more power in society.  This power has been Read more…

Academic Arrogance: Dismantling a Culture of Harm

Academics are like polar bears. We live alone; we hibernate. If you walk down the halls of academic offices, you’ll find that almost all of the doors are shut. We live a solitary existence, occasionally Read more…

How to Be a Good PhD Student

If you’re curious about how to be a good PhD student, this article is a good place to start. As a professor for over 30 years, much of that as a Dissertation Committee Chair, I’ve Read more…

What are you looking for?

• Tools & Resources

Cost and Financial Aid

Investing in your usc education.

When you decide to pursue graduate studies, you are making a major investment in your personal and professional future. USC offers students an interdisciplinary and globally oriented graduate education of the highest caliber. Once you graduate, you will gain the networking advantages of membership in the Trojan Family. It is therefore important to assess the benefits you will receive throughout your career as a return on your investment.

The cost of earning a graduate degree from USC, as well as funding opportunities, vary by school and degree program. We encourage you to thoroughly research your program of interest and plan your finances accordingly. Most graduate-level funding will be provided in the form of loans.

Please visit the Financial Aid website for estimated program costs and for more details about the types of funding you may qualify for.

Assistantships, Fellowships and Scholarships

Phd students.

The Graduate School works with doctoral programs at USC to support a vast majority of our PhD students with fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships, or some combination of these funding sources.

Master’s Degree Students

USC also offers a variety of merit scholarships for students seeking to earn master’s degrees. However, award amounts and distribution vary by program and are subject to the availability of funds. Please contact your intended school directly to learn more or check with the Graduate School for additional scholarship oppo rtunities .

Loans, Work-Study and Student Employment

U.s. students (citizens and permanent residents).

The USC Financial Aid Office administers a variety of federal financial aid programs for graduate students, including the Federal Direct Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan programs and the Federal Work-Study program.

International Students

Though international students (non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents) are not eligible for federal need-based aid programs, they may receive scholarships, assistantships and fellowships and can seek other on-campus employment opportunities or apply for private loans with a qualified endorser (co-signer).

External Fellowships

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for external funding—funds from sources not affiliated with USC. Sponsors range from government agencies and corporations to private institutions. Funds may be limited to a single year of enrollment or may be renewable for multiple years and may be paid to the student or directly to the university.

It is important for recipients to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of such fellowships when planning for graduate studies. For more information about external fellowships, please refer to the USC Awards and Fellowships database.

ROTC and Veterans Benefits

ROTC and U.S. military veterans should contact the Veterans Certification Office and the Financial Aid Office to determine how their G.I. benefits will be coordinated with their financial aid.

USC Payment Plan

The office of Student Financial Services also offers graduate students the option to pay their university expenses in five monthly installments, interest free, over each semester. For more information, please visit the Student Financial Services website.

Estimated Tuition and Fees

2024–2025 cost of attendance.

All graduate students should refer to the Office of the Bursar for official  tuition and fees .

Indirect Expenses

Indirect expenses are estimates of costs that may be associated with your attendance, but are not typically University charges.

Traditional Programs

Graduate Students (9 months, spring/fall semesters)

Your living expenses will vary from these estimates based on whether you live on or off campus, have a meal plan, and take university health insurance during your time as a graduate student. 

Estimated transportation takes into account an average of one trip in the continental U.S. during each academic year.

Online Programs

Graduate Students (one semester)

• Cost of Attendance

Learn the costs associated with attending Harvard Griffin GSAS.

• Dissertation
• Fellowships
• Maximizing Your Degree
• Before You Arrive
• First Weeks at Harvard
• Harvard Speak
• Pre-Arrival Resources for New International Students
• Alumni Council
• Student Engagement
• Applying to Degree Programs
• Applying to the Visiting Students Program
• Admissions Policies
• Express Interest
• Campus Safety
• Commencement
• Diversity & Inclusion Fellows
• Student Affinity Groups
• Recruitment and Outreach
• Budget Calculator
• Find Your Financial Aid Officer
• Funding and Aid
• Regulations Regarding Employment
• Financial Wellness
• Consumer Information
• Life Sciences
• Policies (Student Handbook)
• Student Center
• Title IX and Gender Equity

On this page:

Master’s and PhD Students

Special students, visiting fellows, health fees.

• Graduate Student Council Fee

Family Expenses

In addition to tuition and fees, Harvard Griffin GSAS students should budget for living expenses and other costs associated with their academic program. This page outlines what you need to know about tuition, health fees, and more.

Harvard Griffin GSAS students are required to register continuously from the time they enter the Graduate School until they receive their degree or, in the case of special students and visiting fellows, until they complete their program. Harvard Griffin GSAS charges tuition or enrollment fees based on student status. 

Master’s students are charged full tuition; some programs have different cost structures. Students in some master's programs may receive grants and fellowships that cover this cost. 

PhD students are charged tuition based on a tiered tuition structure that reduces over time as they progress through their degree program. Because circumstances vary from student to student, the chart below is only a guide to potential tuition charges. PhD students may receive grants to cover the cost of tuition and fees as noted in their individualized Notice of Financial Support received upon admission. 

Students are required to register continuously from the time they enter a degree program until they receive their degree. 

Master’s and PhD Student Tuition Fee 2024–2025

Note: Subject to annual increases

SEAS Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science Master’s Programs

The  SEAS Computational Science and Engineering  (CSE) and Data Science master’s programs have different tuition structures than other degree programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:

It is not uncommon for students in the above SEAS Master's programs to elect to be less than full-time status for part of their program length. In these cases, the tuition charged would be at the following per course rates. 

NOTE: In order to be eligible to receive financial aid in the form of loans, students must not fall below half-time status, which requires a minimum of 2 course per term. 

Special students  engage in coursework or a combination of coursework and research for academic credit for one term or one year only. While not candidates for any degree, special students are admitted to Harvard Griffin GSAS and access student privileges, which include a Harvard transcript with coursework and grades listed. Full tuition and student health fees are charged; Harvard Griffin GSAS does not offer financial aid, work-study opportunities, or student loans to special students. Audited courses and supervised independent research projects are charged the same tuition as courses for credit.

Payment of tuition and fees is due prior to registration.

Special Student Tuition Fee 2024–2025, Per Term Costs 

Scholars intending to conduct independent research, who hold a doctorate, have equivalent professional experience, or are advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework may register at Harvard Griffin GSAS as a visiting fellow . Visiting fellows are considered full-time research students, with access to Harvard University’s libraries and facilities, and may apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club. Visiting fellows are charged reduced tuition and student health fees . Harvard Griffin GSAS does not offer financial aid, work-study opportunities, or student loans to visiting fellows. Tuition cannot be waived or prorated and is non-refundable.

Visiting Fellow Tuition Fee 2024–2025

Students enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. Waivers of the Student Health Fee may be accepted in very limited cases. Please visit the Harvard University Student Health Program website for more detailed information.

Required Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) Fees

Graduate Student Council Fee 

All enrolled Harvard Griffin GSAS students are required to pay an annual fee of $35 to support programs and initiatives run by the Graduate Student Council. Students who are on leave during either the fall or spring semester, pay 50% of the fee (or $17.50). This reduced fee will be charged during the semester they are enrolled. 

Other Costs

Harvard Griffin GSAS students will incur additional costs for housing and food, books and supplies, and other necessities. 

Estimated 2024-2025 Living Expenses by Budget Category

Total Estimated 2024-2025 Living Expense by Housing Type 

The chart below takes the information above in the Estimated Living Expenses by Budget Category chart and provides a sum for each housing option. 

This estimated budget does not include the costs of fees for required tests, application fees, or such initial expenses as home furnishings. Your individual expenses may vary from these figures. 

Many graduate students are accompanied by their spouses, domestic partners, and children. Harvard Griffin GSAS maintains policies and provides access to resources that help balance family needs with the demands of graduate study. You can find a list of  family resources on the Harvard Griffin GSAS website (please note some resources are specific to PhD students).

If you plan to bring your family, it is important to understand how additional family expenses will impact your budget and expected resources. Most financial aid sources, including loans, have limitations on whether family expenses can be included when determining eligibility.

You must plan ahead to ensure that you have sufficient resources to cover these costs. The chart below provides an estimate of how much you will need to support a spouse and/or dependent(s). Keep in mind this is a general budget and your personal expenses may be higher or lower, but it is a great place to start when developing your own budget.

Estimated 2024-2025 Living Expenses Budget for Families

Financial Aid

Share this page, explore events.

Graduate School

Tuition & fees.

• Financing & Support

Tuition & Fees

The Brown University tuition will vary by degree program, discipline, and courses required for full-time status. Tuition and fees for all students can be found on the bursar’s website.

Graduate Tuition and Fee Schedule

Brown University tuition rates can be found on the bursar’s website, including variable tuition rates for specific master's programs. Tuition will vary by program, discipline, and the number of courses required for full-time status.

View the Tuition and Fee Schedule

Estimated Living Expenses

• 9 months: $24,885
• 12 months: $33,180

Payment Deadlines

• Fall semester: August 1
• Spring semester: January 1

Enrollment Status

Ph.d. students.

A full-time student is someone registered for three or more courses per semester.

Master's Students

Full-time status is defined as enrollment in 2 courses per semester. Students should always follow the structure of their program . Master's students are responsible for knowing the structure of their program and registering accordingly, in consultation with their DGS.

Part-Time Students

Any student who would like to enroll part-time must have the permission of their program. Domestic students who are considering a part-time course load should consult with Financial Aid if they have loans. International students should always consult with The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) if they are considering a part-time course load.

In addition to the financial considerations of part-time status, students need to consider two other issues:

• First, two courses per semester is usually enough to maintain eligibility for student loan deferrals on any existing student loans. However, students with existing loans should confirm with their specific loan agreements before opting out of full-time status.
• Second, international students must have full-time status in all semesters except the last semester in order to maintain a lawful immigration status.

Tuition-Unit Requirements

Master's degree students must pay tuition for a minimum of eight tuition units. Some programs require more than eight tuition units to complete the requirements to earn the master's degree. 

While actively enrolled, all Ph.D. students must pay tuition at the full-time rate. The minimum tuition requirement to receive a degree is the equivalent of three years of full-time study. Students within the funding guarantee period will be charged tuition at the full-time rate but will receive a full tuition scholarship. Students on external funding within the funding guarantee period will receive supplemental funding to cover tuition and fees. Students in humanities and social science programs beyond the six year guarantee period may seek a tuition scholarship by submitting a Dissertation Extension Proposal . After the  residency requirement  has been met, Ph.D. students may continue to enroll in additional coursework and receive academic credit.

Teaching and Research Assistants and Proctors

Full-time students holding appointments such as teaching and research assistants and proctors may take no more than three courses per semester, and are considered full-time students. For more information on tuition regulations, please consult the  Office of the Registrar . 

Tuition-Unit Credit versus Academic Credit

In order to receive academic credit, tuition must be paid in full. Tuition credit, however, remains even if the student fails a course or does not register for as many courses as were paid for. See the  Graduate School Handbook  for complete details of the relationship between tuition-unit credit and academic credit.

Transfer Credit

The University grants a limited amount of tuition credit for related graduate work done at other institutions. See the  Graduate School Handbook  for details on allowable transfer credit.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

Federal regulations require that the University have a fair and equitable refund policy for recipients of federal student aid (including the Federal PLUS Loan) who withdraw on or after the first day of a class for a period of enrollment for which the student was charged. Brown University adheres to the federal Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 and its updates regarding Title IV financial aid programs. The University also has a refund policy that addresses the handling of institutional charges when a student withdraws or takes a leave during the semester. The University’s Refund Policy and Return of Title IV Funds procedures are independent of one another. A student who withdraws from the University or withdraws from a course may be required to return unearned aid and still may owe funds to the University.

View the Withdrawal & Refund Policy

The University Bursar is responsible for handling all student-billing questions. For information, deadlines, or forms related to tuition, billing, payment plans, and refund policies, refer to the Brown University Student Billing Guide, available on the bursar’s website . University support (fellowships, teaching assistantships, etc.) will appear as a credit on the bills of students receiving such assistance.

Visit the Bursar's Office

Payment of tuition and fees is due by August 1 for the first semester, and by January 1 for the second semester. Students are responsible for paying their fees by the deadlines to avoid late payment charges. The electronic statement for fall semester will be available late June. An email notice will be sent to the students Brown University email account when the statement is available to view. All accounts must be settled with the bursar before students will receive their degrees.

Student Fees

Detailed cost for the following fees can be found on the Bursar’s website .

Full-time students are billed for a University Health Services fee in the Fall and Spring term, which covers usage of Health Services  for the full year (including summer). Students should make every effort to address health problems through University Health Services before consulting with a private physician.

• Fully supported doctoral and MFA students do not need to pay the fee, as it is covered as part of the funding guarantee

An insurance fee is charged for  annual coverage  (student only), which runs August 15 to August 14 of the following year.

All doctoral and master's students are required to pay a student activity fee, regardless of location of study. This fee is charged during the Fall and Spring terms and the amount is determined by the Graduate Student Council. The student activity fee is used to fund recognized graduate student organizations and covers both in person and virtual academic, professional, and social support for all Brown graduate students.

All doctoral and master's students are required to pay these fees, they are not covered by the Graduate School.

All Brown University students (including doctoral and master's students) are required to pay a recreation fee each academic year. The fee covers access to recreational and fitness facilities and entrance to athletic events. It does not cover intramural team participation.

Late Registration and Course-Change Fees

Consult the  Office of the Registrar  for course-related information. 

Health and Dental Insurance

All Brown students are required to show proof of health insurance while enrolled at the University.

Related Items

• Office of the Registrar
• University Bursar
• Insurance Office
• Ph.D. Requirements
• Master's Requirements
• Tuition Regulations from the Registrar
• Fields of Study

Cost to Attend

Ph.d. students, master's students, other cost information, explanation of fees.

NOTE: All numbers below require annual approval by the Board of Trustees

Last updated: January 5th, 2024

Students must be registered each fall and spring semester until all degree requirements are completed. In some cases, they may also need to be registered for a summer term ( see policy ). For each term in which students are registered, they are charged the following tuition and fees. Rates are subject to change each year. Tuition typically increases by no more than 4 percent per academic year.

Generally speaking, The Graduate School covers the tuition and fees for a Ph.D. student’s first five years. After that, students are responsible for tuition and fees, and most students obtain external or departmental funding that helps cover those costs. The Graduate School also covers health insurance for years 1-6 if students choose the Duke student medical insurance plan. Visit our Statistics section to see the typical time to completion for your degree program.

More details on financial support for Ph.D. students

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Ph.D. Students in Years 1-3

Note: Tuition, fees, and health insurance (for the Duke student medical insurance plan) in years 1-3 are generally covered by The Graduate School's financial support package .

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Ph.D. Students in Years 4+

Note: The Graduate School's financial support package generally covers tuition and fees for years 4-5, as well as health insurance (for the Duke student medical insurance plan) for years 4-6. Starting in year 6, students are responsible for tuition and fees, and most of our students obtain external or departmental funding to help cover those costs. Duke also provides sixth-year tuition and fees scholarships for students who applied for but did not obtain external or departmental tuition-and-fees support.

Master's students are required to enroll in and pay tuition for at least three semesters of full-time study. After that, they will be charged per credit ( 24-25 estimated at $3,780 per credit ). Master's summer tuition will be charged at the per-credit rate up to a maximum of one-half the fall/spring full-time tuition. 

Rates are subject to change each year. Tuition typically increases by no more than 4 percent per academic year.

Information on financial support for master's students

2024–2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for DOMESTIC Master's Students

2024–2025 ESTIMATED Cost of Attendance for INTERNATIONAL Master's Students

* – Estimated amounts due to bursar

Exceptions to the cost listed above

• Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• MFA (Dance or Experimental and Documentary Arts)
• Master of Arts in Bioethics and Science Policy

For all students: Estimated cost for room, food, transportation, personal, and miscellaneous: $2,994 per month

For international students:  

The chart below references funding required for international students to bring a spouse and/or dependent(s) into the United States while enrolled at Duke University Graduate School:

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Home
• Application Requirements
• Financing Options
• Diversity Profile

You are here

• Doctoral Programs

Financing Your Education - Doctoral Programs

A doctoral degree is a significant investment in your future, and financing your education is a critical factor to consider. While the funding we provide covers the basic standard cost of attendance determined by Stanford University for a modest life as a graduate student, accepting an offer from a doctoral program has significant personal, professional, and financial implications. Below you’ll find information on GSE and Stanford financial support for doctoral students, as well as other important considerations when it comes to financing your PhD.

Funding guarantee

Stanford GSE offers all admitted PhD students a five-year funding package that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary which covers the standard cost of attendance. The funding is based on meeting the basic financial need of the student alone for the first five academic years of the doctoral program and entails assistantship work. The cornerstone of the GSE doctoral experience is the apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well. In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a funding package that consists of opportunities to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the coursework, students are prepared to excel as university faculty, education researchers, and leaders in the field.

All funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and performance on the research and teaching assistantships. There is no separate application for this funding.

Assistantships

As part of the academic and professional training and development, students undertake assistantships which provide both salary and tuition. Research assistantships are funded by faculty research grants, other faculty funds or as needed, by the GSE Dean’s Office, and can lead to joint publications with faculty or to dissertation topics. Students who have sufficient expertise and experience may also be selected as teaching assistants for courses at the GSE or other Stanford schools and departments. Assistantships are typically secured in consultation with faculty advisors. Students work 10 hours (25% assistantship) or 20 hours (50% assistantship) a week depending on their year in the program. 

• Research assistantship (RA): Various duties for research projects
• Teaching assistantships (3 types):
• Course Assistant (CA)—course preparation and grading
• Teaching Assistant (TA)—leads regularly-scheduled discussion sections
• Teaching Affiliate (TF)—full responsibility for course

Funding Details 2023-2024

Note: The above figures reflect 2023-2024 rates. Actual amounts will be adjusted to the rates for 2024-25 and future years.

Cost of attendance

Tuition depends on the units taken by the student. In addition to tuition expenses, the cost of attendance of a PhD program involves living expenses such as rent, food, and transportation. The sum of tuition and non-tuition expenses constitutes the standard cost of attendance. 

As you consider applying to graduate school, you can use the standard cost of attendance of your program —plus any additional expenses you might have—to create your financial plan, keeping in mind that tuition and non-tuition expenses of the standard cost of attendance are set by the university on an annual basis.

What you can do now to prepare financially if admitted

• Prepare for how your standard of living may change as a graduate student, especially if you are coming from a full-time job.
• Consider the length of your program, any dependents, existing debt, and additional financial commitments you may have. Students with children may review Stanford support programs for families.
• If you have personal or special circumstances that require additional expenses above and beyond the standard cost of attendance, plan accordingly.
• Start saving as much as you are able to cover any unexpected expenses you may incur while in graduate school.
• Familiarize yourself with federal as well as private student loans, their interest rates, fees, repayment options, deferment policies, and eligibility requirements, so that you are informed if you need to borrow.
• Be ready to cover all initial expenses, since fellowships and stipends will not be disbursed until a few weeks into your first quarter. Onboarding into a PhD program often requires up front out of pocket expenses for relocation.

Additional GSE resources

Once PhD students matriculate, the GSE has a variety of resources available to support academic work and unanticipated needs.

Students are eligible for up to three travel fellowships during their time at GSE if they are attending a conference or other professional development opportunity.

GSE Student Emergency Fund assists graduate students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses causing financial hardship. This fund is meant to support those who cannot reasonably resolve their financial difficulty through fellowships, loans, or personal resources. 

GSE Dissertation Support Grants help advanced PhD students who require additional financial support for dissertation research activities. These grants, available at up to $6,500 total per student, are available to students who do not have access to other funds to cover their dissertation costs.

Stanford University resources

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) program aims to prepare the next generation of global leaders to address the increasingly complex challenges facing the world. The program selects up to 100 students each year and provides three years of financial support that is integrated into the GSE’s funding package for PhD students.

Vice Provost for Graduate Education awards various fellowships for doctoral students and maintains a list of other Stanford fellowships that students may consider.

Cardinal Care subsidy is an automatic university-wide subsidy program for graduate students. Vaden Health Center manages the university’s Cardinal Care student health insurance.

Stanford Financial Aid Office oversees a number of financial support programs specifically for graduate students with challenging financial situations. 

Additional hourly work is available to students who wish to work for pay as "casual labor" at Stanford up to eight hours a week, provided work does not adversely affect the academic program. Requires approval from the student’s advisor and the Academic Services team.

Other funding sources

External fellowships are integrated into the GSE’s funding package. There are many funding opportunities offered outside of Stanford. The GSE admissions team has compiled an external fellowships and grants document for you to explore, though you should plan to do your own research as well. International students can find additional sources of funding on the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Funding for U.S. Study website and this publication .

Stanford is committed to providing benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to students in degree-seeking programs. GSE students who qualify for Chapter 33 benefits at the 100% level may be eligible for additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please note that for GSE students receiving tuition fellowship funding, the Yellow Ribbon match may reduce and in some cases replace institutional grants and scholarships. For instructions, visit the page, Activate VA Education Benefits at Stanford .

International students are guaranteed the same funding package as domestic students. However, there may be restrictions regarding the number of hours and opportunities to work during the summer months. To learn more, please contact the Bechtel International Center .

To meet immigration regulations, international students must show proof of adequate financial support to cover the length of time of their graduate program. While international students are not eligible for U.S. federal loan programs, they may qualify for private/alternative loans. Many lenders, however, require that a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-sign the loan. You can find information and tools to help you choose private loan programs most frequently used by Stanford students here. A comprehensive list of private loan programs is available at FinAid.org .

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

Graduate And Professional Tuition Dashboard

Be boundless, connect with us:.

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Costs and Finances

Graduate school costs, tuition and cost of living.

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition Cost with Assistantship (2024-2025) (PDF)
• Tuition Due Dates & How to Pay
• Moving Cost-of-Living Comparison 
• PAC 12 Cost Comparison (PDF)

Graduate Assistant Medical Insurance

• For International Students
• For Graduate Assistants
• For Other Graduate Students

Managing Your Finances

Tax implications.

WSU does not withhold federal income taxes on fellowships and traineeships, and will not report it on an annual 1099 IRS Form. Graduate fellows who are US citizens and resident aliens are responsible for paying all income taxes that may become due as a consequence of receiving graduate fellowship stipend payments. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the federal and state income tax implications of receiving a fellowship.

The IRS provides general information to assist students in determining tax liability and reporting obligations. Tax liability depends on a student’s particular circumstances, and students are advised to contact a personal tax advisor or the IRS with any questions or concerns.

IRS Live Telephone Assistance Toll-free: 1-800-829-1040.

Instructions for 1099-MISC Form: Instructions for the Form 1099-MISC. To find your Local IRS Office, visit: www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office .

International students can find more information regarding their tax liability within the International Programs.

Payroll Deduction

Graduate students on half-time (20 hrs. /wk.) assistantship appointment may pay their  mandatory fees  through  payroll deduction  during the fall and spring semesters.

With similar eligible conditions  as Graduate Health Insurance, for this program, students must sign up each semester to take advantage of the deduction opportunity. Students may enroll in the program through WSU Workday only after their assistantship appointment has been entered into WSU Workday.

Students will select the deduction based on their assistantship appointment campus location to accurately deduct and credit their student accounts for that semester and can verify amounts on their semi-monthly paystubs by viewing their Online Earnings Statement. Check the Payroll website for more campus-specific details and instructions specific to Graduate Pay.

Assistantship Check Distribution, Deposit,  and Tax Information

Payments are issued on the 5 th of each month. We recommend students use direct deposit to ensure fast arrival of funds. You may sign up for through Payroll Services.

Contact Payroll Services .

Advertisement

• Publications

This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to our COOKIE POLICY .

Grab your lab coat. Let's get started

Create an account below to get 6 c&en articles per month, receive newsletters and more - all free., it seems this is your first time logging in online. please enter the following information to continue., as an acs member you automatically get access to this site. all we need is few more details to create your reading experience., not you sign in with a different account..

Password and Confirm password must match.

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

Already have an ACS ID? Log in here

The key to knowledge is in your (nitrile-gloved) hands

Access more articles now. choose the acs option that’s right for you..

Already an ACS Member? Log in here  

$0 Community Associate

ACS’s Basic Package keeps you connected with C&EN and ACS.

• Access to 6 digital C&EN articles per month on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the C&EN Essential newsletter

$80 Regular Members & Society Affiliates

ACS’s Standard Package lets you stay up to date with C&EN, stay active in ACS, and save.

• Access to 10 digital C&EN articles per month on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the digital C&EN Magazine
• Access to our Chemistry News by C&EN mobile app

$160 Regular Members & Society Affiliates $55 Graduate Students $25 Undergraduate Students

ACS’s Premium Package gives you full access to C&EN and everything the ACS Community has to offer.

• Unlimited access to C&EN’s daily news coverage on cen.acs.org
• Weekly delivery of the C&EN Magazine in print or digital format
• Significant discounts on registration for most ACS-sponsored meetings

Your account has been created successfully, and a confirmation email is on the way.

Your username is now your ACS ID.

Graduate Education

The real cost of grad school in the us, nearly everyone gets funding, but the financial demands of getting a phd can catch some off guard, by wynne parry, special to c&en, november 2, 2021 | a version of this story appeared in volume 99, issue 41.

• U.S. team makes history at International Chemistry Olympiad
• Find the chemistry joke in this crossword
• Hairworm horrors and talking tomatoes
• Expanding American Sign Language’s scientific vocabulary

Graduate school has a reputation of being difficult, but when Nyesa Enakaya moved to Washington, DC, to start her PhD in chemistry at Howard University, she found the pressures were more than academic. Nearly all chemistry PhD programs come with a guaranteed income, but for some students, the money goes only so far.

Enakaya started in a stronger position than many. Not only was she debt-free, but she had savings, and with her parents’ help she made a down payment on a condo near her new institution. Together, her monthly mortgage and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees cost less than renting in the area. This arrangement will also make it possible for her to sell when she graduates.

Her 9-month teaching assistant’s salary of $20,000 sounded like a lot at first, even though it’s less than the average chemistry stipend of $26,000. But as her first school year began, it became clear that her monthly paychecks amounted to roughly the same amount as her mortgage, HOA fees, and utility costs. She had little to nothing left over for all the expenses that typically accompany graduate school, such as health insurance, fees charged by the school, and, of course, food, let alone anything unexpected.

“I just saw my bank account draining,” says Enakaya, now in her fifth year at Howard. “I wasn’t making enough money to support myself, and I was losing all of my savings.”

In chemistry and closely related fields, PhD students almost always receive financial support to cover the cost of their tuition and their living expenses. That’s not true of those in chemistry master’s programs or many who pursue degrees in other areas, such as the humanities and medicine, for which funding is much less consistent. Even so, PhD student stipends in chemistry are never lavish.

While many manage just fine, others quickly learn that their stipends cover much less than they expect or need. Routine costs, including taxes and health insurance, add up quickly. A high cost of living, as in a place like the District of Columbia, undergraduate debt, and unforeseen expenses can all contribute to a financial shortfall and the stress and frustration that accompany it.

However, not everyone struggles. Overall, funding appears to meet students’ needs more often than not. In an American Chemical Society survey conducted in 2019, 62% of US graduate students in the chemical sciences said their financial support was adequate, a decrease of roughly 7 percentage points from 2013.

Amrit Venkatesh says the financial package for his chemistry PhD at Iowa State University, which included a stipend that reached $26,600, seemed reasonably well matched to the cost of living in Ames, Iowa. “I would definitely not call it underpaid,” he says.

After he finished his master’s degree in his native India, Venkatesh at first didn’t seriously consider going to the US for a PhD. He wanted to take time to consider his options, and he assumed that programs in the US would be too expensive for him to afford. After deciding to pursue a PhD in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, he began looking for a strong program. In the process, he learned that the school that would become his top pick, Iowa State, offered a stipend that he believed he could live on. “I only applied after I was convinced I could make it work,” he says.

Tips from experts and grad students

Before starting a PhD program

Talk to current or recent grad students

When undergraduates give Sarah Goh, a professor of chemistry at Williams College, lists of programs that interest them, she connects them with Williams alums. “I will say, OK, so email these six people and ask them what the program is like and what their life is like.”

Learn about loans

Payments on many, but not all, student loans can be deferred while you’re in graduate school. Federally subsidized loans are the only ones that won’t accrue interest while you are in a grad program, says Ryan Stuart, a family life and finance educator at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Compared with undergrads, grad students pay higher interest rates and are more likely to encounter lifetime borrowing limits.

Ask yourself whether you can afford to live there

When you are close to selecting a program, draft a detailed budget tailored to your individual needs and the local cost of living, says Emily Roberts, owner of Personal Finance for PhDs. As part of your research, ask current students if the stipend is livable, she says.

Prepare yourself

Before you start your program, Roberts recommends paying down any credit card or other debt and establishing a cash reserve to keep you afloat, in case it takes some time to get your first paycheck. If you anticipate needing additional income and think you’ll have the time, energy, and freedom, she recommends establishing a side job before you start your program.

Talk to fellow grad students

Your colleagues are the “biggest encyclopedia for budgeting finances,” says Katie Johnson, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno. “The graduate students that have been there for 2, 3, 4 years, they already know how to do it,” she says. Not only do other students know where to find the cheapest rent and phone bill, but they also may become your roommates.

Make a spending plan (aka budget)

“There is literally no way to figure out if you can survive on any amount of income if you don’t have a plan in place,” says Stuart, who finds that people are generally more receptive to the prospect of making a “plan” versus a “budget.” He recommends using PowerPay’s free online planning tools.

Rightsize your housing

Financial experts typically recommend spending no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. If that share creeps up much higher, “that is a big red warning flag that you need to do the best you absolutely can to downgrade your housing costs,” Roberts says. That can mean getting a roommate or moving, if feasible.

Establish an emergency fund

Whether it’s a car accident or a last-minute trip home, unexpected expenses come up. Stuart recommends that students put aside at least $400 just in case. If you can manage $1,000, all the better; if not, aim to build up to that amount. Once you have a more regular, stable income, try to set aside 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses, he says.

Start saving now

You may have a hard time imagining retirement right now, but Stuart and others recommend that you start putting something aside for it. Thanks to compounding interest, “even little amounts over longer periods of time are going to be much higher in the long run,” he says.

While US chemistry graduate students can receive funding from a number of sources, for most students, the institution where they study provides a stipend as compensation for teaching or research. To keep students focused, some institutions discourage or even forbid them from taking on outside jobs.

On average, US schools pay $26,814 for doctoral students working as research assistants and $26,082 for their counterparts working as teaching assistants, according to another ACS survey in 2019, this one of chemistry programs. These numbers, however, obscure enormous variation between both programs and students, who sometimes receive funding from additional sources, such as certain fellowships.

In spring 2014, after struggling to find accurate and up-to-date stipend information online, Emily Roberts launched the PhD Stipend Survey , which now has almost 11,000 entries. The results aren’t perfect—a few entries list unbelievably high amounts—but the survey is the closest thing to a clearinghouse for PhD stipends.

Roberts, who holds a PhD in biomedical engineering, cautions that a dollar amount on its own is meaningless. “Without putting that stipend in the context of the local cost of living, you really don’t yet have any idea of whether that stipend can pay even for basic living expenses,” says Roberts, now the owner of Personal Finance for PhDs .

To account for the cost of living, her survey uses data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator for a single person with no dependents to calculate a living-wage ratio. A ratio less than 1 raises “a red flag,” Roberts says.

Housing, in particular, can strangle students’ finances. The high cost of living near the University of California, Santa Cruz, drove graduate students at this institution to strike in December 2019. They demanded a $1,412 per month raise, an increase they calculated would allow students to spend less than 30% of their pretax income on rent, the proportion recommended by financial experts.

On July 1 of this year, Connor Brandenburg, an organic chemistry student at UC San Diego, got a raise that brought his finances nearly in line with this rule. After his department increased students’ stipends from $31,000 to $34,000 per year, his rent—$897 a month for a studio in university-run housing—accounted for about 32% of his pretax income.

But, within a year and a half, this share may grow substantially. In April 2023, he will have exhausted the 2 years of on-campus housing the university allotted him as a graduate student. Off-campus rents for a comparable studio can run up to $1,700, Brandenburg says, so he’s planning to downgrade.

“I’m 24. I don’t necessarily want to share a room with someone anymore, [but] financially, that may be my only option,” he says.

In addition to rent, graduate students face an expense familiar to undergraduates: fees, which some institutions levy separately from tuition. Like so much else, fees can vary considerably between schools.

This fall, the bill for graduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology amounted to as much as $1,097 for 10 fees , which include money to fund student organizations, transportation services on campus, and a general-purpose “special institutional” fee.

Most of these charges are recommended by the school’s president and set by the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, which includes Georgia Tech. The largest of these fees, the special institutional fee, is an exception. The board instituted it in 2009, at first temporarily, to compensate for state budget cuts. But funding reductions remained in place and so did the fee, growing from $100 to $344 for graduate students.

While Georgia taxpayers may benefit from this shift, the accumulating fees make a difficult situation worse for Krista Bullard, a fifth-year PhD student in chemistry and biochemistry at Georgia Tech. Through a fellowship at the school’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Bullard earns $29,000 a year, an amount that she has found doesn’t match the cost of living in Atlanta.

“I have my parents’ car. They pay my car insurance; they pay for my phone,” she says. “I don’t think I could do it on my own.”

Like many other students, she has loans from her undergraduate degree, which add to the financial pressure. The end may be in sight, however, because she plans to graduate in May.

“I’m really pushing for that, mostly because I really can’t afford to stay any longer,” she says.

Fees typically don’t include another common cost: health insurance. Some institutions, including Georgia Tech, require students to purchase plans offered through the school or prove they have comparable coverage. But some programs provide free coverage.

Roughly a year after finishing his PhD, Venkatesh says his financial experience turned out “about the same as what I expected.” That doesn’t mean it was easy. Like many other students, he made the money work through a combination of hard work, self-discipline, and, on occasion, painful trade-offs.

After moving from India, Venkatesh faced a distinct set of financial challenges: he needed to send money back home to his family and, after he got married at the end of his first year, to support his wife, whose visa restrictions severely limited her options for earning income in the US. Tight finances, as well as the demanding work culture of American academia, contributed to the most difficult part of his entire PhD experience: traveling home only twice.

Together, he and his wife carefully managed their money, and Venkatesh figured out a way to supplement his stipend. While at Iowa State, he earned a series of academic honors—fellowships, scholarships, and a prize for research publications—that brought in between $1,000 and $10,000 after each year of his program.

“I have seen graduate students who manage the stipend significantly better than even I did,” he says. “But there were also students who might say the exact opposite, who were really struggling from month to month.”

In contrast, Enakaya’s expectations of living on her stipend evaporated after she started her program at Howard. At first she made do by using her savings and credit cards. She also found work tutoring and teaching, as well as paid summer internships, and her adviser provides her with some additional funding for her research. Her success lining up outside income, however, has come at a cost.

Over the most recent summer, for example, she interned at Brookhaven National Laboratory while teaching biochemistry and a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) prep course virtually. For 12 weeks, this arrangement kept her away from her research lab at Howard, where she had originally intended to focus her time and energy.

“Going into Howard, I truly didn’t believe that I would have to be taking internships, that I would have to be getting extra jobs,” she says.

The financial prospects for future Howard students may improve, at least to a degree. By 2023, the university plans to increase the 9-month teaching assistant stipend in chemistry and other departments by 20%, to $24,000, according to Dana Williams, dean of Howard’s Graduate School. This decision was based on the cost of living in the DC area, she says in an email.

Others besides teaching assistants may benefit too. Although funded by faculty members’ grants, research assistant stipends match those of teaching assistants and will likely increase too, according to Hua Zhao, the chair of Howard’s Chemistry Department.

The raise would bring Howard’s stipend more in line, although not quite on par, with funding offered to PhD students in chemistry at other DC institutions. Georgetown University and George Washington University both offer full-year support, versus Howard’s 9 months, of more than $35,000.

Looking back, Enakaya says that even if she had fully understood the financial picture, and the prospect of a larger stipend elsewhere, she would not have reconsidered her decision to go to Howard.

“I wanted to go to an HBCU [historically Black college or university]. I want to be surrounded by people that I know support and love me and really want to help me grow not just as a chemist, but as a Black chemist,” she says. “I want to learn from the faculty here, because they’ve had similar stories and similar experiences as me.”

When told her scramble to make the money work sounded stressful, Enakaya says: “Graduate school is stressful. We make it work. We definitely make it work.”

Wynne Parry is a freelance writer based in the greater Philadelphia area. This article is copublished in inChemistry magazine in partnership with ACS Education.

You might also like...

Sign up for C&EN's must-read weekly newsletter

Contact us to opt out anytime

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Reddit

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

Join the conversation

Contact the reporter

Submit a Letter to the Editor for publication

Engage with us on Twitter

The power is now in your (nitrile gloved) hands

Sign up for a free account to get more articles. or choose the acs option that’s right for you..

Already have an ACS ID? Log in

Create a free account To read 6 articles each month from

Join acs to get even more access to.

Pay Online | SIS Login | Estimate Costs

• Tuition & Fees
• View and Pay Your Bill
• Due Dates & Addresses
• Withdrawal from School
• Account Holds
• 125% Rule for In-State Tuition
• Degree Candidates
• Student Collections
• Cashier's Office
• Active Duty Military TA
• VA Commissioned Officers
• VA Military Education Benefits
• 1098-T Forms
• Education Tax Benefits
• Non-U.S. Citizens
• Scholarship Tax Information
• The W-9S Process
• 2023-2024 Academic Year
• 2024-2025 Academic Year Forms
• Submitting Forms & Documents
• Types of Aid
• Eligibility Requirements
• Cost of Attendance: Undergrads
• Cost of Attendance: Graduate Students
• Determining Need
• Dependency Appeals
• Receiving Aid
• Changes to Your Aid
• Common Application Errors
• First-Year Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
• Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM)
• Medical School
• Accelerated Engineering
• Post-Bacc/Pre-Med Program
• Master of Public Safety
• All Other Graduate Programs
• Financial Aid Basics
• How to Apply for Financial Aid
• January Term
• Study Abroad
• Summer Session
• Applying for Aid
• Personal Credit
• Student Loans
• Personal Banking
• Entering the Workforce
• Testimonials
• Personal Finance and the Student Lifecycle
• Videos and Other Resources
• Charges & Who to Contact

Estimated Graduate Cost of Attendance

2024-2025 academic year, graduate living expenses.

The following estimated living expenses, totaled below with books and supplies as additional categories, apply to students in any graduate program. The living expenses estimates used in the cost of attendance reflect modest and restrained expense allowances for University of Virginia students. Some students will spend more than the estimated amounts while others will spend less, depending on individual lifestyles and circumstances. Eligibility for financial aid, however, is based on the standard estimated allowance, not on individual preferences and spending habits. 

The information on this page assumes a student who is living in Charlottesville and is being charged the full comprehensive fee. 

See a full breakdown of the comprehensive fee components

Summer 2024  graduate tuition is $535 per credit for Virginians and $1,084 per credit for non-Virginians. The summer session comprehensive fee is $453 for Virginians and $513 for non-Virginians.

Estimated Total Yearly Cost of Attendance

For the most up-to-date listing of tuition and fees costs per graduate program, visit the Graduate Record on the UREG website . Add the Total Additional Categories amount above to the tuition and fees costs for your program to estimate your total cost of attendance.

Student Health Insurance:   All students at the University of Virginia who are charged the comprehensive fee with their tuition are required to have health insurance that is at least comparable to the plan offered by the University. If a student’s health insurance does not meet the comparable plan criteria , the student will automatically be enrolled in the UVA student health plan and charged the premium. Upon request, a student's budget may be increased to cover the cost of health insurance. 

The Aetna Student Health Plan will provide coverage for all subscribers from August 1, 2024 until July 31, 2025.The annual rate for the 2024-2025 academic year is $3,877.

Dates and Deadlines

Sfs closed for independence day, update mailing address in sis, deadline to request summer direct or summer plus loans.

Graduate Education

Office of graduate and postdoctoral education, cost & fees, tuition and fees.

• For the current cost of attendance at Georgia Tech and a national Net Price Calculator, please visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website.
• Information about exact costs of tuition are available on the Bursar’s website where you can also find details about payment deadlines and payment options .
• For more information about residency for tuition classification, visit the Registrar’s website .

Cost of Living (On Campus)

• For exact housing costs, visit  Housing’s website .
• For specific information about meal plans, visit the  Dining Services website .

Thinking Of Applying?

Georgia Tech is recognized as a top return on investment  and offers funding to pay for grad school . View the admissions checklist to begin your graduate education.

Cost of Living in Atlanta

Looking for more information about cost of living in Atlanta? Check out the following websites (please note that Tech is not affiliated with these companies):

• PayScale: Cost of Living in Atlanta
• SmartAsset: Cost of Living Calculator
• Expatistan: International Cost of Living Calculator
• BestPlaces: Cost of Living in Atlanta

Accessibility Information

Download Microsoft Products   >      Download Adobe Reader   >

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home
• Institution Home

School of the Environment 2023–2024

• Yale University Publications /
• A Message from the Dean /
• Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses /

Ph.D. Program Tuition and Fees

The 2023–2024 tuition for the Ph.D. program is $48,300. Most doctoral students receive a School fellowship that covers the cost of their tuition and provides a 12-month stipend for the first five years of their program. For 2023–2024, the stipend is $40,530. Doctoral students must pay a nominal continuous registration fee (CRF) for no more than three years thereafter. The continuous registration fee is $790 per term.

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

Download 2021-22 School of the Environment PDF