Lori Meadows
The topic of how much universities pay graduate students in PhD programs is a complex one, as it varies depending on the university, location, and program. Generally, PhD students receive financial support through teaching or research assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships. While some programs may offer full tuition scholarships and stipends, others may provide partial funding or have different requirements. PhD students' earnings can range from $14,000 to $50,000 per year, with the average being $25,000 to $30,000. These financial packages help cover living expenses, healthcare, and other costs associated with their doctoral studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PhD tuition fees | Average cost of a PhD: $106,860 |
| Average cost of a doctorate degree: $150,835 | |
| Public institutions: $93,670 | |
| Private universities: $129,395 | |
| PhD stipends | $25,000-$50,000 per year |
| $34,883 per year (NYU Steinhardt) | |
| $14,000 (Indiana University, Bloomington) | |
| $18,000 (a school in Utah) | |
| $30,000 (Midwest) | |
| $34,000 (Midwest) | |
| $40,000 (Engineering students) | |
| PhD fellowships | Offered by universities, departments, or external sources |
| PhD assistantships | Research or teaching |
| PhD employment | Rare, but possible depending on discipline and program rigor |
| PhD funding | Scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships |
| PhD expenses | Lab equipment, research materials, books, academic journals, living costs, healthcare |
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What You'll Learn
Teaching assistantships
A graduate teaching assistant (GTA) is a postgraduate student, usually a PhD student, who takes on paid teaching responsibilities for undergraduate university courses. GTAs are often awarded as part of a PhD scholarship programme and typically come with a living cost stipend, a tuition fee waiver, and a salary. The pay varies between universities, but it is typically at least £20,780 per year (tax-free). Some universities, like Imperial College London, have different tiers of pay depending on the type of work engaged in. For example, at Imperial College London, tier one (the lowest) is £19.63, tier two is £24.02, and tier three is £31.93.
GTAs hold tutorials and seminars, provide feedback to students, and complete admin tasks for the department, among other duties. While a GTA role can improve your knowledge and subject-related skills, provide work experience, and enhance your soft skills, it is also a significant commitment. PhD students must balance their teaching responsibilities with their own academic work.
Graduate teaching assistantships are typically awarded by departments, fields, and principal investigators, and they are usually in the student's major field or a closely related one. There is no separate application process for assistantships; they are usually circulated by email to all PhD students in the department or listed on internal university job boards.
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Fellowships
Students can also apply for fellowships directly through their PhD program applications. For example, SMU applicants can apply for the Moody Graduate Fellowship through a brief essay explaining how their background will contribute to SMU's graduate program diversity. Departments then nominate candidates for the fellowship as part of their application review process.
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Research assistantships
Pursuing a PhD is a significant financial and time commitment. However, there is strong evidence that advanced education levels are associated with higher salaries and lower unemployment rates. PhD students can receive financial support through assistantships, fellowships, or employment.
Graduate research assistantships (GRA) are similar but focus on thesis or degree-related research. Since a GRA directly supports the student's thesis or dissertation, the time spent is connected to the research project.
Full-time PhD students may be awarded assistantships, which provide financial support in exchange for research or teaching that furthers the university's academic mission. Assistantships are awarded by departments, fields, and principal investigators, and there is usually no separate application process. Students are typically appointed in their major field or a closely related one.
The University of Miami offers several PhD research assistantships that provide an annual salary, tuition coverage, and health insurance. Texas State University's Doctoral Research Assistantships (DRA) compensate 20-hour per week doctoral assistants with approximately $26,000 per academic year, making them eligible for employer group insurance plans.
It is important to note that doctoral research assistants may not simultaneously maintain other full-time employment, and part-time off-campus employment must be compatible with the obligations of the assistantship.
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Tuition waivers and funding packages
One common way to receive a tuition waiver is through a teaching or research assistantship (TA/RA). Assistantships usually involve teaching undergraduate classes or assisting with research projects. In exchange, the university waives the student's tuition and sometimes provides additional benefits such as a stipend or health insurance. For example, at the Lundquist College of Business, PhD students receive a tuition waiver, a waiver of most fees, a monthly stipend of approximately $2,500, and health insurance as part of their graduate employment (GE) position. The stipend requires about 640 hours of service as a research assistant, teaching assistant, or classroom teacher.
Fellowships are another source of financial support for PhD students. Fellowships can be offered through the university, department, or external sources, and they usually cover the cost of tuition and sometimes provide additional funding for extracurricular activities, such as trips or projects. Fellowships are typically merit-based and can be highly competitive. For instance, the Steinhardt Fellowship at NYU Steinhardt includes an annual stipend of $34,883, tuition remission for required coursework, and student health insurance for up to five years.
In addition to tuition waivers and stipends, funding packages may also include other benefits such as conference fees, professional memberships, accommodations, travel grants, and research expense allowances. For example, at the University of Oregon, PhD students can receive funding for conference fees, professional memberships, accommodations, and direct travel, subject to approval by the PhD Program Director and department heads.
It is important to note that the availability and specifics of tuition waivers and funding packages can vary depending on the university, department, and individual student circumstances. Prospective PhD students should carefully research the funding options offered by their desired programs and universities to make informed decisions about their financial support during their doctoral studies.
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Scholarships, grants, and assistantships
Scholarships, grants, assistantships, and fellowships are common ways to fund a PhD. They help to ease the financial burden on PhD students, who often have to pay for tuition, fees, and other expenses.
Scholarships
Scholarships are financial aid that recipients don't need to pay back. They are usually merit-based, although some may also consider financial need. For PhD students, scholarships are often career-specific and may include teaching requirements. For example, scholarships for PhD students in accounting may require the recipient to intend to teach accounting after graduation. International students can also find PhD scholarships in the USA, such as Fulbright and DAAD.
Grants
Grants are similar to scholarships in that they are financial aid that does not need to be repaid. They are typically need-based, although some may also consider academic merit or the field of study. Grants are often available from professional associations, government and non-government organizations, and industry partners. For example, the National Science Foundation offers grants to encourage research in various fields.
Assistantships
Assistantships involve providing services to the university, such as teaching or research roles, in exchange for a stipend and tuition waiver. Teaching assistantships allow graduate students to gain valuable classroom experience while helping to balance the university's stipend costs. Research assistantships are also common, allowing PhD students to gain experience in their field while contributing to the university's research efforts.
Fellowships
Fellowships are merit-based and do not require repayment or work in return. They are often specific to the student's field of study and can provide generous resources. Fellowships may include teaching, speaking, research, and residency requirements, as well as community-building projects and local collaborations. Fellowships are typically awarded to PhDs and researchers who are already established in their fields.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, PhD students do get paid. They receive a stipend, which is a fixed sum of money paid as a salary to cover living expenses. The stipend amount depends on the university, but it typically ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Some universities offer higher stipends, such as Emory University, which provides a stipend of $40,324 per year for its economics PhD program.
In addition to stipends, PhD students may receive assistantships, fellowships, and tuition waivers. Some universities also provide health insurance, travel grants, and on-campus housing options to help reduce overall costs.
PhD student compensation can vary significantly across universities. While some universities offer fully funded programs with stipends, others may have partial funding or require students to pay tuition. It's important for prospective students to research the specific funding opportunities available at their desired universities.
Pursuing a PhD can have a positive impact on lifetime earnings. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, individuals with a doctoral degree (excluding professional degrees) are expected to earn an average of $3.3 million over their lifetime. This is significantly higher than the expected lifetime earnings of individuals with lower educational attainment.
