phd student stipend in usa

8 best PhDs that offer the highest stipends

The best PhDs not only open the gates to knowledge but also offer some of the most generous stipends to help you achieve your dream. These stipends are not just numbers; they are the lifeboat allowing you to dive headfirst into your studies without worrying about the financial tides. 

Think of the great minds that have treaded the PhD path before you – Marie Curie, Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King Jr. The secret to their success wasn’t just their brilliance; it was the support they received during their PhD journeys. 

A stipend can be the catalyst for greatness, allowing you to focus on your research, collaborate with brilliant minds, and turn your academic dreams into reality. 

The best PhDs give you more than just a qualification. It acts as a catalyst to greatness.

Types of PhD stipends

When it comes to stipends, there are two main types: financial and non-financial. Financial stipends are a helping hand for students, given without needing any specific work in return.

They appear as financial assistance on your statement at the end of the year.

On the flip side, there are stipends given in exchange for the work you put in at the university. These aren’t considered financial aid; instead, they’re like salaries 

You might be wondering if your stipend is subject to taxation. Well, it depends on the type. If it’s a financial stipend, it’s generally not taxable. It’s like a gift to help you out.

However, if your stipend is in exchange for your university efforts, like work or research, it’s considered income and is subject to taxation.

The best PhDs have great stipends — which you should treat as a package. Source: AFP

PhD stipends: It’s a package

Your PhD stipend is made up of several important components to support you through your academic journey.

The living stipend is the main part, covering your accommodation, food, transportation and other daily needs.

It’s the primary source of financial support, and how much you get can vary based on factors like location, school, major and cost of living. 

The tuition waiver or fellowship is a significant perk considering the often hefty costs of a PhD education, especially in fields like Chemistry or other STEM subjects.

Health insurance is another crucial part of the package, ensuring you have access to affordable medical care to keep you healthy and productive. 

Then there’s the research grant or funding, providing extra money for things like textbooks, research materials, and conference fees.

As you delve into your academic journey, you might also find yourself as a teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA), gaining work experience and building valuable professional connections.

So, your PhD stipend isn’t just about the financial support – it’s a comprehensive package designed to nurture and propel you forward in your academic pursuits.

The most powerful people in the world listen to those with the best PhDs. In this photo, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US First Lady Jill Biden listen to Anchal Sharma, a PhD candidate at the Indian Institute of Technology. Source: AFP

PhD stipends: More than just financial aid  

It’s important to treat your PhD stipend as something more than just scholarship money or salary.

Consider investing in specialised training courses or workshops relevant to your field.

Use your stipend to enrol in programmes that deepen your expertise and introduce you to the latest trends.

Think of it as adding layers to your professional skillset, making you a sought-after expert in your field.

Another useful way to make good use of your PhD stipend is by attending conferences and networking events.

Allocate registration fees, travel and accommodation funds to immerse yourself in a sea of knowledge and connections.

Conferences are like treasure troves of insights, letting you learn from industry leaders and exchange ideas with peers.

Networking at these events can open doors to collaborations, job opportunities and a broader understanding of your field.

Your stipend is a golden ticket, allowing you to actively participate in your professional community and stay updated on cutting-edge developments. 

Salary vs stipend

Your salary is like a regular paycheck you get for your job – it’s consistent, predictable and typically based on the hours you work or the tasks you complete.

It’s your stable income, like a steady river flowing into your bank account.

On the other hand, a stipend is more like a fund for a specific purpose, usually tied to education, research or training.

It’s not your regular 9-to-5 wage. It’s an allowance to support you in certain activities, such as pursuing a degree, researching, or attending professional development opportunities.

While a salary is your everyday bread and butter, a stipend is more like the extra toppings – there for a specific reason and not necessarily a routine.

So, who gets to hop on the stipend train? Usually, it’s candidates who are engaged in specific activities that need a bit of financial backing.

Students diving into research, interns honing their skills, or anyone pursuing specialised training are likely candidates.

Stipends often aim to support learning, growth or projects rather than being your everyday paycheck. It’s like a boost for those dedicating their time and effort to something beyond their regular work.

So, if you’re on a mission to deepen your knowledge, contribute to research or enhance your skills in a particular field, chances are you could receive a stipend.

When it comes to PhD programmes, the pay and stipends can vary . Generally, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) PhD programmes offer higher stipends than other fields.

For example, in the US, institutions like MIT and Stanford are known for generous stipends for STEM candidates. These stipends often cover tuition, living expenses and even healthcare. 

The best PhDs can help you develop valuable transferrable skills which are valuble in the working world. Source: ETX

1. Stanford University

Stanford University is renowned for having the best PhD programmes in the world. This is mainly due to the fact that it offers one of the highest stipends globally, securing its position as a top-tier institution for doctoral candidates. 

In the 2020/2021 academic year, PhD students at Stanford University received a stipend or teaching assistantship of US$45,850 , marking it the world’s highest-paid PhD stipend.

Newly admitted PhD candidates automatically qualify for financial assistance for up to five years, provided they maintain a good academic record and meet the stipend requirements.

This support of fellowship salary, research or teaching assistantship showcases the university’s dedication to offering one of the most competitive PhD stipends.

Stipends are distributed shortly after students meet the minimum enrolment requirements, and any obligatory expenses, such as university housing rent, are deducted before the stipend is issued. 

Earning a PhD can be costly both in terms of time and money, and it may take several years to complete a successful doctoral programme. Source: ETX

2. Princeton University

Embarking on a PhD at Princeton University promises academic excellence — and positions you among recipients of one of the highest-paid stipends in the US. 

In February, The Daily Princetonian reported that the Princeton Graduate Students United (PGSU) has announced that the university will raise some graduate student stipends by US$5,000 in the 2023/24 academic year.

This made the annual stipend rate for this academic year b etween US$47,880 and US$50,400 .  

If you’re a new incoming graduate student, you’ll be paid your first fellowship stipend in full for the month of August .

The best PhDs can help students build relationships with professionals in their field, learn about job opportunities and gain insight into industry trends and best practices. Source: ETX

3. University Of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is a top institution with one of the best PhD programmes, offering some of the highest stipends to its students. 

From 2022, the university’s minimum total stipend has been US$34,000.

This makes the minimum monthly rate of at least US$3,778 for programmes that operate on a nine-month schedule and US$2,834 for those on a 12-month schedule.

There’s a “Provost Fellowship Top Off” valued at US$2,000, bringing a student’s stipend to at least US$36,000.

The university’s commitment extends to various scholarships, including the IRIX/David L. Coffen Fellowship and the Jerome D. Odom Fellowship, both in the field of chemistry.

The highest-qualified candidates are considered for Presidential Fellowships.

4. Rice University 

Rice University stands out by offering departmental stipends for qualified PhD candidates — amounting up to US$40,000 per year .

Candidates earn this by working as a research/teaching assistant for an assigned faculty member while maintaining full-time student status and continue making satisfactory progress toward their PhD.

The best PhDs will help you learn about yourself, about others and about the world around you. Source: AFP

5. University of Houston

With an annual stipend of US$31,000 annually , the financial support provided at the University of Houston is substantial. 

The Graduate Tuition Fellowship (GTF) further enhances the financial package for eligible students, covering tuition and fees, resulting in a net annual benefit of US$20,800.

Meeting a 3.00 grade point average and working as a graduate assistant are prerequisites for GTF eligibility, proving the university’s dedication to maintaining academic excellence among its doctoral candidates.

The fellowship covers nine semester credit hours (SCH) in the fall and spring semesters and six in the summers. 

6. Ohio University 

Ohio University’s financial support for PhD students is among the most generous in the country –surpassing over 1,000 other universities.

Here, s tipends come in different forms. Examples are teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate assistantships. 

At the School of Communication Studies , for example, eight to 12 new students are offered graduate assistantships that provide a full tuition waiver and a stipend of approximately US$16,100 per academic year.

A PhD degree holds high value in the job market as well as in the research world. Source: AFP

7. Boston University 

At Boston University, all PhD students in good standing are guaranteed the following:

• five years of stipend support
• 100% tuition scholarship
• a health insurance credit

How much? That varies by PhD programmes but its website states a range from US$27,318 for eight months to US$40,977 for 12 months for the 2024/25 academic year.

8. Cornell University 

For the 2023/24 academic year, Cornell graduate assistantship and fellowship stipends grew by 8% . 

This made the minimum 12-month assistantship rate US$43,326 and increased the minimum nine-month academic year stipend to US$32,494.

Here, a graduate assistantship refers to “ an academic appointment requiring 15 to 20 hours a week , averaging no more than 15 hours per week for the base stipend as established by the Board of Trustees.” They receive full tuition credit and a stipend.

Meanwhile, a fellowship refers to an “arrangement in which financial support is given to a graduate student to pursue his or her degree without any obligation on the part of the student to engage in teaching and/or research in furtherance of the university’s academic mission.”

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/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="phd student stipend in usa"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Stipend rates.

2024-25 Graduate Student Assistantship and Fellowship Stipend Rates

Effective August 21, 2024 ( View 2023-24 rates )

[1] Weekly hours spent on summer appointments must comply with University Policy 1.3, and stipend rates must meet the Board of Trustees mandated minimum (nine-month) stipend rate, prorated for the number of weeks of the summer appointment. The length of the summer appointment (number of weeks) is determined by the Principal Investigator, department, unit, college, or other source of funding.

[2] The maximum academic-year stipend amount that a graduate student may receive when any portion of the stipend comes from any funds held at Cornell (university accounts, college accounts, department accounts, unit accounts, or Principal Investigator sponsored funds) is $52,026. The increase may be from the same funding source as the basic stipend (an “adjustment”) or from a different source (a “supplement”). The limit applies to support from any combination of fellowships or assistantships when part of the stipend is paid from funds held at Cornell. There is no restriction on summer stipends and fellowships.

Prorated Stipends for Non-Standard Appointments

Minimum stipend rates for non-standard appointments classified as graduate assistantships (TA, GA, RA, or GRA) must be proportional to the board-approved stipend. Examples are provided in the table below.

Partial assistantships must include tuition proportional to the stipend. That is, if a student receives a partial TAship with 50% stipend for the semester, the hours must be limited to 7.5 or less per week and he or she must receive 50% tuition for that semester in addition to the stipend. Awards that do not provide tuition and stipend in amounts proportional to the hours expected of a regular assistant are not assistantships and should not be portrayed as such.

Examples – Adjusted Stipend Rates for Non-Standard Appointments

Assistantships for professional degree students.

Students who are enrolled in professional degree programs are generally ineligible for assistantships outside of their graduate field of study, unless the director of graduate studies for the student’s program requests an exception based on the student gaining experience directly supporting the student’s ability to teach the subject matter of the profession. Requests for exceptions must be approved in advance by both the dean of the Graduate School and the dean of the college in which the professional degree program is housed. The college that administers the professional degree in which the student is enrolled is responsible for payment of the full tuition. Professional degree students may be appointed as graduate teaching/research specialists (GTRS) (see below). They may not accept an assistantship without:

• A signed letter from the director of graduate studies for the student’s program requesting an exception based on the student gaining experience directly supporting the student’s ability to teach the subject matter of the profession.
• A signed letter from the student’s college dean or dean’s designate indicating that the college will apply a tuition credit of at least $14,750 per semester.
• A signed letter from the Graduate School Dean or Associate Dean of Administration, approving the assistantship appointment.

Graduate Teaching/Research Specialists 

Students in the professional degree programs may be appointed as graduate teaching/research specialists (GTRS). The GTRS is not an assistantship; GTRSs receive a stipend in proportion to the percent time of their appointment as compared to a full-time graduate assistantship but not tuition and health insurance. Hours are limited to no more than 10 per week. Before a program may begin using the GTRS title, approval must be given by the Graduate School.

Graduate School

Graduate student stipend information.

• Financing & Support
• Ph.D. Funding

The Graduate School offers incoming doctoral and MFA students financial packages intended to support excellence in graduate education and to enable students to devote themselves full time to their research and scholarship.

All recommendations for graduate student funding are made at the program level. Eligibility and awards are determined annually and are always conditional on students making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Students with questions or concerns regarding Brown funding — including eligibility, awards, or renewals — should discuss them with the program’s Director of Graduate Study.

Brown's funded degree programs are residential programs that require full-time dedication in order to reach the goals of superior scholarship envisioned for all students. The Graduate School recognizes that training opportunities outside of regular appointments can play an important role in preparing graduate students for their careers and, for supported graduate students in good standing, the Graduate Council is supportive of such additional, paid training opportunities, as long as they do not exceed 12 hours per week. Additional details can be found on the Activities Outside of Stipended Appointments webpage and in the  Graduate School Handbook .

Stipend Information

2023-2024 stipend amounts.

FY24 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

2024-2025 Stipend Amounts

FY25 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

2025-2026 Stipend Amounts

FY26 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)

Where to Find Stipend Information

Students receive an appointment letter through  Self Service Banner  (SSB) each term (fall, spring, and summer). You can find your appointment letters in  SSB  by logging in with your Brown username and password, then clicking on the 'Student' tab and selecting ‘Graduate Student Appointment Details’ at the bottom of the list. The appointment letter provides: 

• The appointment type and a general description of duties 
• The start and end dates of the appointment 
• The department in which the appointment is assigned 
• The total stipend amount for the term 
• Whether the appointment in the bargaining unit or not and union-related steps to take prior to the appointment starting

Calculating Monthly Amount

All stipended graduate students will receive their regular stipend payment at the end of each month (see the Student Employee FAQ section on the Controller’s Office  General Information/FAQ webpage ). Your Appointment Letter provides the total amount you will receive for that term and from that you can determine approximately how much you will receive at the end of each month (please note this is a pre-tax amount).

Fall and Spring Terms

The fall and spring funding periods are both 4.5 months in length. Fall runs September 1 - January 15 and spring runs January 16 - May 31 (these dates are detailed in your Appointment Letter). To determine how much you will receive each month, divide the stipend amount from your Appointment Letter by 4.5 months. 

Example:  Your Fall 2023 Appointment Letter shows a stipend amount of $16,421.63.  $16,421.63/ 4.5 months = $3,649.25 per month, pre-tax.

Summer Term

The summer term runs June 1 - August 31 and straddles two fiscal years. Students receiving a summer stipend will receive one month of stipend payment (June) at the rate of the fiscal year that is ending and two months of stipend payment (July and August) at the rate of the fiscal year that is starting. This means that the payment amount in June may be different from the amounts in July and August (though it will generally be the same as the amount from the previous July and August).

Example:  Your Summer 2024 Appointment Letter shows a stipend amount of $11,976.91. The 2023-2024 monthly stipend rate is $3,808.25 and you will receive that amount, pre tax, in June 2024 (the portion of the summer in the 2023-2024 fiscal year). The 2024-2025 monthly stipend rate is $4,084.33 and you will receive that amount, pre tax, in both July and August 2024 (the portion of the summer in the 2024-2025 fiscal year).

Effects of Appointment Type

A general overview and description of duties for student appointments can be found in the  Graduate School Handbook . Appointment types not only affect the type of work a student is performing during a term, but may also affect how the student’s stipend is taxed and will determine whether or not they are in the bargaining unit. For example, students appointed to fellowships do not generally have taxes taken out of their payments and are not in the bargaining unit, while students on assistantship appointments such as RA, TA, or Proctor, do have taxes withheld at the time of payment and are in the bargaining unit (and so must pay the GLO Membership Fee or the GLO Fair Share Fee). See the Tax Information and Graduate Student Union Information webpages for more information.

Steps Required to Receive Payments

All students must complete the I-9 process in order to receive payment from Brown. Students will be required to complete this process upon matriculating as well as anytime they return to active student status after taking a leave of absence. 

The I-9 process includes:

• Submitting the I-9 Form and completing all onboarding tasks in Workday (instructions can be found on the  I-9 Forms webpage ) 
• Visiting the HR Service Center, in person, (Page-Robinson Hall, Room 213) to present original, unexpired documentation for the I-9 Form. Please refer to the  List of Acceptable Documents  for guidance on the types of documents required. 

Sprintax Calculus

All international students are required to enter data pertaining to immigration and tax status in Sprintax Calculus each calendar year and if they extend their stay at Brown University. Students are also required to notify their department and [email protected] each time they leave the U.S. with their location and possible return date, and then again when they re-enter the country, regardless of the length of time they were away. Current information is required to ensure that correct taxes are applied. More information is available on the Controller’s Office Foreign National Payments and Taxation webpage. Note that the university previously used FNIS for this process, but has recently transitioned to Sprintax Calculus.

Effects of Student Location

A student’s location during the term (whether they are on campus or off campus in another state or country) plays a role in how the student’s payment is processed by Brown and may affect the taxes withheld. Students should let their program administrator know when they will be away from campus and international students should notify their department and [email protected] each time they leave the U.S. with their location and possible return date, and then again when they re-enter the country, regardless of the length of time they were away. To ensure that student payments are in compliance with all relevant tax laws, students may get questions about their current location and travel dates from their program administrator, the Graduate School, or the Controller’s Office. 

Receiving Stipend as Check or Direct Deposit

Information about how to sign up for direct deposit is found on the Controller’s Office  General Information/FAQ webpage . Note that students who sign up for direct deposit may still receive one more payment as a check if the direct deposit setup process is not fully completed prior to payments being disbursed. 

• Internal Funding & Appointments
• Tax Information
• Fellowships
• Student Payroll Procedures
• Graduate School Handbook
• Graduate Student Union Collective Bargaining Agreement  and current  stipend agreement
• Onboarding and I-9 process: HR Service Center,  [email protected]
• Tax related questions: Controller’s Office,  [email protected]
• Sprintax Calculus or tax related questions for international students: Controller’s Office,  [email protected]
• Visa questions or travel issues: OISSS,  [email protected]

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 23 May 2022

PhD students face cash crisis with wages that don’t cover living costs

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Chris Woolston is a freelance writer in Billings, Montana.

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Salaries for PhD students in the biological sciences fall well below the basic cost of living at almost every institution and department in the United States, according to data collected by two PhD students.

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Phd stipends: all your questions answered, published by steve tippins on june 26, 2022 june 26, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 03:04 am

What are PhD stipends? When you enter a PhD program, you can also get financial support in the form of tuition reduction, free tuition, and PhD stipends. That means compensation for work you’ll do, such as teaching or being a research assistant. Typically, traditional, face-to-face universities and PhD programs—as opposed to online programs from non-traditional schools—will compensate you for being a PhD student.

Do All PhD Students Get a Stipend?

Not all PhD students get stipends. However, most students in traditional programs do get stipends because these are full-time programs that require full-time attention, if not more.

It’s very difficult to keep a job of any kind and be in a full-time doctoral program. In order to have students at an institution, the institution has to make up for the income students lose by not working. PhD students are valuable labor for institutions because it costs less to pay them to teach classes and do research support than someone who has already earned a PhD .

What Is a Good Stipend for a PhD Student?

The average phd stipend.

The average annual stipend in the United States ranges between about $23,000 and $33,000 per year. You’re not going to get rich as a PhD student on one of these stipends, but you can survive.

The Highest PhD Stipend

The highest PhD stipends that most students can get are around $30,000 to $33,000. Interestingly, stipends vary by discipline. The higher stipends tend to be in disciplines where it’s harder to find doctoral students or easier to find PhD jobs.  

Education or musicology will have a stipend below $20,000 on average, and there aren’t a lot of jobs for graduates in these disciplines. However, if you were to look at something like biomedical engineering, the stipend would probably be around $33,000.

There is a factor of supply and demand that goes into stipends, and these are averages across the US. They also vary slightly by institution.

Is a PhD Stipend Enough to Live On?

When you evaluate whether a PhD stipend statement is enough to live on, first think about where you’re going to school. Would $24,000 allow you to survive on your own in New York City? It would be really difficult to find someplace to rent under $2,000 a month. If you don’t have a strong desire to eat, maybe you could get by on something like that. 

On the other hand, if you are somewhere like Little Rock, Arkansas, where rent might be $600 a month, then you have $1,400 left for other things like food. It might be possible there. Many doctoral students share apartments and have roommates to make it easier to survive financially.

Can I Work While Doing a PhD?

You may be able to work a little bit while doing a PhD, though it’s very hard to have time to do much else besides focus on your degree. Some people come from previous jobs and can continue consulting. Some faculty members run consulting businesses and employ students to do more work than the stipend has them assigned to do. Just be aware that if you start making outside work a priority, eventually your stipends will go away.

Is a PhD Stipend Taxable?

We aren’t qualified to give tax advice, but in most cases stipends are considered taxable income to the doctoral student.

How Can PhD Students Earn Money Besides Their Stipend?

There are ways doctoral students can earn money outside of their PhD student stipend . Some doctoral students tutor students on the side. It used to be you could sell textbooks back to the manufacturer, but that’s become increasingly rare now that most textbooks are going electronic.

There are other opportunities like consulting based on previous contacts or working along with other faculty members to help them in their projects. 

In many cases, there are grants that you might receive in addition to your stipend. Apply for grants such as dissertation-writing grants or grants aligned with your demographic background or area of interest. Check with your institution’s financial aid office and with professional associations for grants.

How Often Is a PhD Stipend Paid?

PhD stipends are paid based on your university’s compensation schedule. If your university pays every two weeks, you’ll be paid every two weeks. If it pays once or twice a month, you’ll be paid once or twice a month.

Do PhD Stipends Increase Each Year?

Don’t count on a PhD stipend increasing every year. Universities have vast bureaucracies, and doctoral students are usually low on the pole of influence. If you get a stipend, assume that it will stay at that level. 

Be sure to also check the maximum duration of a PhD stipend. Some institutions have limits, so be aware if the limit is less than the average time it takes someone to complete a PhD.

Final Thoughts

A PhD stipend is a great thing. It allows you to keep living, albeit barely, while digging deep into your preferred area of interest. In most cases and locations, it’s high enough to subsist but low enough that you don’t want to hang around at that level for a long time.

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

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English PhD Stipends in the United States: Statistical Report

By Eric Weiskott

This report presents the results of research into stipends for PhD candidates in English conducted between summer 2021 and spring 2022. The report surveys the top 135 universities in the U.S. News and World Report 2022 “Best National University Ranking,” plus the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Of these universities, 80 offer a PhD in English and guarantee full funding for five or more years. Graduate administrators at three universities declined to grant permission to have current or historical stipend amounts published, citing legal concerns (appendix A). The remaining 77 institutions form the data set. Stipend amounts are expressed in absolute dollars (table 1), in cost-of-living-adjusted dollars (table 2), relative to endowment size for universities with institutional endowments of $3.5 billion or less (figure 1), and broken down by type of university (public or private) (tables 3a–3b) and by region (tables 4a–4d).

The stipend data were gathered by consulting program websites and, if no URL is cited, by canvassing departmental faculty and staff members responsible for administering English PhD programs, often holding the title “Director of Graduate Studies” (DGS). 1 In some cases, the standard stipend must be expressed as a dollar range rather than a fixed amount, for reasons specified in the notes.

All figures given in this report are gross pay, reflecting neither tax withholding schemes nor any mandatory student fees. All figures are rounded to the nearest dollar. All figures reflect the base or standard stipend offer, not including supplemental funding offered on a competitive basis at the department, college, or university level. All figures represent twelve-month pay, regardless of whether the program distinguishes between academic-year stipend and any summer stipend, provided both are guaranteed. While every effort was made to procure academic year 2021–22 or 2022–23 figures, in a few cases this was not possible. A limitation of the data therefore is that they mix current and recent stipend amounts. For some programs, the standard stipend increases or decreases during the course of the degree. Where the changes in pay occur in specific years, they are accordingly factored into the numbers given in the report, which represent a five-year average in these instances. However, where the changes depend on the unpredictable completion of program requirements, or reflect differential pay based on past degrees earned or not earned at the time of matriculation, I express the standard stipend as a range. Because programs with a stipend range are ranked and averaged according to the average of the low and high ends of the range, the report may slightly overstate or understate the total value of the stipend over the length of the degree depending how candidates tend to move through those programs, or depending on the academic background of the candidates who matriculate into them.

Cost-of-living comparisons were made using Nerdwallet ’s cost-of-living calculator (“Cost”), checked against the standardized cost-of-living rating on BestPlaces (“2022 Cost”).  Nerdwallet ’s calculator has the advantage of splitting up geography into medium-sized benchmark areas, often roughly corresponding to a commutable radius around a town or city, as opposed to the jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction comparisons of BestPlaces and other cost-of-living calculators, which would be more pertinent to real estate purchases. However, use of the Nerdwallet tool entails limitations, occasionally acute. Some university campuses are located closer to available Nerdwallet benchmarks than others. Certain rural and suburban campuses are located in jurisdictions with somewhat higher or lower cost of living than the closest available Nerdwallet benchmark, often a city. These limitations were corrected for in the more severe cases and to the extent possible by averaging multiple benchmarks selected for geographic proximity and comparable cost of living (as given on BestPlaces ) to the location of the campus, as noted in each case in table 2. The possibility of PhD candidates’ commuting to campus from a distance greater than the radius of a Nerdwallet benchmark, not to mention the possibility of their living farther afield when teaching remotely in the COVID-19 pandemic or dissertating, further complicates a direct benchmark-to-benchmark cost-of-living conversion.

It was particularly difficult to determine the cost of living for one campus, Rutgers University, New Brunswick. This is because Rutgers is within commuting distance of New York, the highest cost-of-living metropolitan area in the United States, coupled with the fact that the Nerdwallet benchmark to which the city of New Brunswick belongs, “Middlesex-Monmouth,” covers two New Jersey counties that include many towns as distant from New Brunswick to the south and west as Brooklyn and Manhattan are to the north and east. That is, New Brunswick is inadvantageously situated in its Nerdwallet benchmark for the purposes of stating an average cost of living that captures patterns of commuting to and from campus. Commutes from south and west of campus are included, while commutes from north and east are excluded. In the Midwest and West, where Nerdwallet tends to have fewer benchmark areas, suburban and smaller urban campuses within commuting distance of a large city often are benchmarked to that city—for example, the University of Colorado, Boulder, to the Denver benchmark and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to the Detroit benchmark. It would therefore seem to be inconsistent to omit to factor New York into the cost-of-living-adjusted value of a stipend paid by Rutgers University, New Brunswick, particularly as the difference between the cost of living in New York and New Brunswick is so much greater than the difference between the cost of living in Detroit and Ann Arbor, or between Denver and Boulder. My solution, to average the average of the Nerdwallet results for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens together with the results for Middlesex-Monmouth, is an admittedly provisional one that risks overstating the cost of living of pursuing a PhD in English at Rutgers, which, after all, is not located in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Queens. In a private communication, the DGS reports that a little over one quarter of current Rutgers English graduate candidates reside in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or adjacent Jersey City, NJ. I consider this proportion large enough to confirm my initial expectation that the very high cost of living in New York should factor into an estimate of the cost of living associated with a Rutgers English PhD in some way. I have not systematically polled DGSs about where candidates live. If nothing else, I hope the difficult case of Rutgers illuminates the limitations of representing cost of living with a single standardized number in an age of urban agglomeration, rapid transport, and a prevailing tolerance for work commutes of up to one hour or so.

Endowment figures (figure 1) were drawn from the fiscal year 2020 statistical report on North American university endowments published by the National Association of College and University Business Officers ( U.S. and Canadian Institutions ).

This stipend report is not a substitute for a holistic assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of an individual PhD program and is not intended to guide prospective PhD applicants toward or away from any given program. The report does not take account of such significant variables as relative strength of the program in the applicant’s area of specialty; any competitive fellowships and stipends available; exam requirements burden; teaching and service expectations; cultural life and nearby off-campus intellectual institutions; the number of years of full funding guaranteed past five, if any; or record of placing graduates into full-time academic employment. The report isolates the stipend as one important factor among several shaping the experience, opportunity cost, and financial, intellectual, and professional benefit of pursuing graduate study in English. Graduate candidates are workers as well as students, and the stipend is their salary. It is hoped that by understanding these data, program administrators, graduate administrators, department chairs, current PhDs, and prospective PhD applicants can form an evidence-based impression of what the English PhD pays around the country and in divergent institutional and regional settings.

For completeness, appendixes list the universities among the 135 that either offer the PhD in English but do not guarantee full funding for five or more years (appendix B) or do not offer the PhD in English (appendix C). Note

1 I thank Anna Chang for assistance gathering updated stipend amounts at a late stage of the project.

Works Cited

“Best National University Rankings.” U.S. News and World Report , 2022, www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities .

“Cost of Living Calculator.” Nerdwallet , 2022, www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator .

“2022 Cost of Living Calculator.” BestPlaces , 2022, www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/ .

U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 . National Association of College and University Business Officers , 2021, www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables–Endowment-Market-Values–FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx.

Table 1. English PhD Standard Stipend Nationwide Comparison

Table 1 Average: $25,006

Table 1 Median: $25,000   

Table 1 Notes

1 The figure reflects a stipend of $30,800 for the first year and $36,570 thereafter, averaged over five years.

2 gfs.stanford.edu/salary/salary22/tal_all.pdf . I obtained this figure by tripling the standard arts and sciences per-quarter rate to reflect Stanford University’s three-quarter, nine-month academic year.

3 The figure reflects an academic-year stipend of $27,605 ($3,067 per month), plus a summer stipend that is the average of the 2020–21 summer stipend of $5,300 ($1,767 per month) and three months of the 2021–22 academic-year rate—namely, $7,251 ($2,417 per month). Brown University is phasing in a summer stipend to match the academic-year stipend over the next year.

4 www.tgs.northwestern.edu/funding/index.html .

5 gsas.yale.edu/resources-students/finances-fellowships/stipend-payments#:~:text=students%20receive%20a%20semi%2Dmonthly,2022%20academic%20year%20is%20%2433%2C600 .

6 The figure reflects an academic-year stipend of $28,654, plus a summer stipend of $6,037 for the first four years, averaged over five years.

7 today.duke.edu/2019/04/duke-makes-12-month-funding-commitment-phd-students#:~:text=students%20in%20their%20guaranteed%20funding,54%20programs%20across%20the%20university .

8 english.rutgers.edu/images/5_10_2021_-_Fall_2022_grad_website_updated_des_of_funding_for_prospectives.pdf . The figure reflects an academic-year stipend of $25,000 for the first year and $29,426 thereafter, plus a summer stipend of $5,000 the first summer and $2,500 each of the next two summers, averaged over five years.

9 The figure is anticipated for 2022–23 following an admissions pause in 2021–22.

10 The low figure is a teaching assistant offer; the high figure is a university fellowship. While funding in excess of the rate for teaching assistants is competitive, it is also de facto guaranteed: for 2021–22, all eight offers of admission exceeded the rate for teaching assistants.

11 policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1238 . The figure reflects a stipend of $25,000 with $1,000 in summer funding in year 3 and $4,500 in summer funding in years 4-5, averaged over five years.

12 The figures reflect a stipend range of $18,240–$25,000 for the first year and $23,835 thereafter, averaged over five years.

13 The figure reflects a stipend of $25,166 for the first year, $24,166 for the second through fourth years, and $19,000 for the fifth year, averaged over five years.

14 grad.ucdavis.edu/sites/default/files/upload/files/facstaff/salary_21-22_october_2021.pdf . I obtained this figure by halving the standard teaching assistant annual rate to reflect the rule that PhD candidates at the University of California, Davis, may work no more than half time.

15 Lehigh University guarantees full funding for five years for candidates classified as full-time. This includes all candidates except a few who are nontraditional students and bring an outside salary or other outside funding to the degree.

16 miamioh.edu/cas/academics/departments/english/admission/graduate-admission/graduate-funding/teaching-positions/index.html .

17 The figures reflect an academic-year stipend of $17,100, plus a summer stipend range of $2,500–$5,000.

18 The figures reflect a stipend of $23,688 for the first year and a range of $19,480–$20,250 thereafter, averaged over five years.

19 hr.uic.edu/hr-staff-managers/compensation/minima-for-graduate-appointments/ .

20 The University of Utah guarantees full funding for five years for those entering with a BA but four years for those entering with an MA.

21 Among the doctoral degrees offered by the English department at Purdue University, West Lafayette, the one in question is the PhD in literature, theory, and cultural studies.

22 The University of Florida guarantees full funding for six years for those entering with a BA but four years for those entering with an MA.

23 These figures reflect the range between FTE .40 at level I (BA holder, precandidacy) and FTE .49 at level II (MA holder, advanced to candidacy). See https://graduatestudies.uoregon.edu/funding/ge/salary-benefits for a schedule of salaries.

Table 2. English PhD Standard Stipend Nationwide Comparison, Adjusted for Cost of Living (Expressed in Boston-Area Dollars)

Table 2 Average: $33,060

Table 2 Median: $31,718

Table 2 Notes

1 I used the benchmark for Philadelphia, which, although geographically distant from State College / University Park, has a more comparable cost of living than other benchmarks for Pennsylvania.

2 For programs located in New York City—in this listing, Columbia University; New York University; Graduate Center, City University of New York; and Fordham University—I averaged the results for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

3 I averaged the results for Austin and Houston.

4 I averaged the New York City triborough average with the results for Middlesex-Monmouth, NJ. This reflects Rutgers’s liminal geographic location: it is much closer to New York City, without being in the city, than any other campus on this list, and a substantial minority of Rutgers PhD candidates commute to campus from the city.

5 I averaged the results for San Francisco and Oakland.

6 I averaged the results for Bakersfield and San Diego. While Los Angeles is closer geographically, it has a much higher cost of living than Riverside and is just outside of convenient commuting range.

7 I averaged the results for Boston and Pittsfield.

8 I averaged the results for Queens and Albany, a better approximation of the cost of living on eastern Long Island than averaging the cost of living in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

9 I averaged the results for Los Angeles and San Francisco.

10 I averaged the results for Washington, DC, and Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD.

Table 3a. English PhD Standard Stipend Nationwide Comparison: Private Universities

Table 3a Average: $28,653

Table 3a Median: $28,967

Table 3b. English PhD Standard Stipend Nationwide Comparison: Public Universities

Table 3b Average: $22,230

Table 3b Median: $21,500

Table 4a. English PhD Standard Stipend Comparison: West and Southwest

Table 4a Average: $25,661

Table 4a Median: $25,500

Table 4b. English PhD Standard Stipend Comparison: Midwest

Table 4b Average: $23,234

Table 4b Median: $21,966

Table 4c. English PhD Standard Stipend Comparison: Northeast

Table 4c Average: $26,741

Table 4c Median: $26,235

Table 4d. English PhD Standard Stipend Comparison: South

Table 4d Average: $22,438

Table 4d Median: $20,881

Appendix A. English PhD Programs Declining to Have Stipend Data Published

Appendix b. english phd programs not guaranteeing full funding for five or more years.

Appendix B Notes

1 The department will “attempt to fully fund all students admitted to the PhD program for five years” ( english.columbian.gwu.edu/graduate-admissions-aid#phd ).

2 Guarantees full funding for four years.

3 “All admitted students receive a multi-year funding package” ( www.humanities.uci.edu/english/graduate/index.php ).

4 Guarantees full funding for four years.

Appendix C. Universities Not Offering the PhD in English

Appendix C Notes

* Offers a terminal MA in English.

1 Offers a terminal MA in literature, culture, and technology.

2 Offers a terminal MA in English literature and publishing.

3 Offers a PhD in rhetoric and professional communication.

4 Offers a PhD in communication, rhetoric, and digital media.

5 Offers a PhD in communication and rhetoric.

6 Offers a PhD in literature. The University of California, Davis, and the University of Kansas also offer a PhD in literature, yet, unlike the University of California, San Diego, or the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Davis and Kansas degrees are housed in English departments and retain an explicitly anglophone focus.

7 Offers a PhD in rhetoric and writing.

*Campus-specific endowment information is not available in the National Association of College and University Business Officers report.

Eric Weiskott is professor of English at Boston College, where he directs the English PhD program. His most recent book is  Meter and Modernity in English Verse, 1350–1650  (U of Pennsylvania P, 2021).

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• PhD Stipends

Graduate Financial Aid

All PhD students receive a semi-monthly stipend payment to cover the basic cost of living in New Haven. The minimum annual stipends for the 2023-2024 academic year are:

• Humanities/Social Sciences: $40,530 stipend
• Physical Sciences: $40,530 stipend
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences: $42,000 stipend

Understanding the semi-monthly payroll process

First-year phd students.

Your first stipend payment is a significant milestone, and we want you to have a clear understanding of the payroll process. During your first year of study, your stipend will be disbursed in 25 semi-monthly payments. Graduate students are paid twice each month, on the 15th day and the last day of the month (or the Friday before, if it falls on a weekend or a holiday). After each payment, you should check your Workday profile to review your payslip. Select "Pay" from the menu and choose the payroll slip to view.  

In your first stipend payment, you will also see a one-time relocation award of $1,000 included. This award is meant to assist you with the costs associated with moving to New Haven. This is a one-time payment and will not be included in your future stipend payments. Please keep this in mind when budgeting for your expenses, as your future stipend payments will not include this additional amount.

In the future, if you have on-campus employment or other one-time payments, you will also see these items reflected in your payslip. Your payslip may also change from term to term depending on your funding sources (i.e., teaching, research, university fellowship, etc.).

Continuing PhD students

As a continuing PhD student, you will receive your first stipend payment on September 15. Continuing student stipend payments are paid on a semi-monthly basis, on the 15th and the last day of the month (or the Friday before, if it falls on a weekend or holiday).

Direct Deposit

We encourage you to set up direct deposit of your stipend checks into a US bank account of your choice. This is the fastest and most convenient way to access your stipend each pay period.

If you are a new student, you may need to wait until after the start of your fellowship period and the creation of your payroll record to set up direct deposit of your stipend check. Any incoming student who has not set up direct deposit will have their checks sent to the Payroll Tax Form US mailing address listed in their student record.

To set up direct deposit, you must have a US bank account . Then follow these steps:

• Login to Workday using your NetID and password. 
• Select the “Pay” widget on your Workday homepage. 
• Next, select “Payment Elections.” From here, use the “Add” function to add a new account for direct deposit. You may add more than one account and you can choose how to allocate funds across your accounts.

Once you have set up direct deposit, it may take one or two pay periods to take effect. Until then, your stipend check will be mailed to you at the address you provide.

If you encounter difficulty with Workday, have questions about the direct deposit process, or how to view your stipend statements online, please contact the Employee Service Center at 203-432-5552 or via email ( [email protected] ). 

Additional Financial Aid and student information can be found on the Yale Hub .  

If you have any questions or concerns about your stipend, payslip, or other matters related to payment, please reach out to the Graduate Financial Aid Office.

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Ph.D. Financial Support

Guaranteed funding.

The Graduate School provides a competitive package that provides Ph.D. students with financial support for at least a majority of the time they are registered and working toward their degree. This support includes four main components: a stipend, tuition coverage, fees coverage, and coverage of health insurance premiums.

Generally speaking, The Graduate School guarantees Ph.D. students five years of stipend, tuition, and fees support, plus six years of full coverage for health and dental insurance premiums.

Departments with Ph.D. programs vary in the financial support they provide beyond the guaranteed funding package. We strongly encourage prospective and current students to talk to their program’s director of graduate studies ( DGS ) to get a clear understanding of the financial support they can expect from the department as they plan their budget for their time in graduate school. We have created a  table showing who's paying for what in which year to help students plan their finances during graduate school.

Each component of the Ph.D. financial support package is explained in detail below.

Guaranteed Funding Package

The Graduate School guarantees all Ph.D. students a stipend for their first five years of study. Starting in fall 2022, all Duke Ph.D. students will receive a 12-month stipend during their first five years of study ( details on how this is handled in each Ph.D. program ).

In year 6 and beyond, stipend support is at the discretion of each Ph.D. program. Programs differ in the amount, length, and requirements of their stipend support, so check with the DGS.

Current stipend amounts

Tuition Coverage

Tuition for all Ph.D. students in their first five years of study is covered by either The Graduate School or external fellowships.

In year 6, as long as students make an effort to get tuition support from their department or an external source, their tuition is covered. Most sixth-year students receive external or departmental funding to cover tuition, and those who apply for it but don’t get it are eligible for a sixth-year tuition and fee scholarship from Duke.

In year 7 and beyond, tuition is paid by external funding, departmental funding, or the student. Ph.D. programs differ in whether they provide tuition support, so check with the DGS.

Current tuition

Fees Coverage

The Graduate School covers mandatory fees for all Ph.D. students in their first five years of study.

In year 6, as long as students make an effort to get fee support from their department or an external source, their mandatory fees are covered. Most sixth-year students receive external or departmental funding to cover fees, and those who apply for it but don’t get it are eligible for a sixth-year tuition and fee scholarship from Duke.

In year 7 and beyond, fees are paid by external funding, departmental funding, or the student. Ph.D. programs differ in whether they provide fees support, so check with the DGS.

Current fees

Health and Dental Insurance Premiums Coverage

The Graduate School covers the full premiums for medical and dental insurance for all Ph.D. students in their first six years of study, as long as they are on the Duke student medical insurance plan and student dental plan ( learn more about the plans ). Students are responsible for any dependent coverage premiums.

In year 7 and beyond, students are responsible for paying the premiums. The premiums could also be covered by external fellowships or departmental funding, if available (the premiums of Ph.D. students serving as research assistants are covered no matter what year they are in).

Info & Tools

• Current Ph.D. tuition, fees, and stipends
• Overview of Ph.D. financial support and benefits (PDF)
• Current student health and dental insurance premiums
• Financial planning table for Ph.D. students
• Full cost to attend 

Expectation for Students

Support for Ph.D. students comes from a combination of funding from The Graduate School, the departments, and external funding sources such as governmental or private grants. Students are expected to play a part by making a good-faith effort to obtain external fellowships at some point during their funding period, and they should be encouraged to pursue such opportunities. It is important to understand that the overall graduate awards budget is dependent on a significant number of students obtaining such external support. External grants and fellowships also benefit students because they bring distinction, and competing for such awards provides opportunities to practice grant-writing skills that could serve students well in their future careers.

Types of Financial Support

A student’s support package may comprise several types of funding, including the following:

• Full or partial scholarships: Cover tuition and fee expenses.
• Fellowship stipends: Require no service. Many departments also offer endowed fellowships. Selection for these fellowships is usually made by faculty committee within the individual department.
• Training program appointments: For US citizens and permanent residents participating in federally funded training programs.
• Research assistantships: Available for graduate students whose special training and qualifications enable them to serve as assistants to individual faculty staff members in certain departments.
• Graduate assistantships: Available for full-time PhD and master’s students who perform a combination of teaching and incidental research activities, generally under the direct supervision of their assigned adviser.
• Teaching assistantships: Part-time instruction opportunities for qualified graduate students to serve as instructors, preceptors and section leaders, tutors, and graders.

Some departments use, when possible, the federal work-study program to help fund research and teaching assistantship positions. As a result, some departments may require or request that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid so that eligibility for work study funds can be determined.

Other Ph.D. Financial Resources

Aside from the main support package, The Graduate School also offers a number of other financial resources, such as conference travel grants , childcare subsidies , medical expense and financial hardship assistance , and short-term loans for emergencies.

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How PhD Students Get Paid

The most common questions (and biggest misconceptions) about getting a PhD revolve around money. Maybe you’ve heard that PhD students get paid just to study, or maybe you’ve even heard that PhD students don’t get paid at all.

It makes sense — how you make money as a PhD student is different from most other career routes, and the process can be highly variable depending on your school, discipline and research interests. 

So, let’s address the big question: do PhD students get paid? Most of the time the answer is yes. PhD programs that don’t offer some form of compensation, like stipends, tuition remission or assistantships, are rare but they do exist. On the other hand, some programs, like a PhD in Economics , are so competitive that unpaid programs are virtually unheard of. 

To help you gain a better understanding of PhD funding and decide if getting a PhD is worth it for you, here are some of the most common examples of how PhD students are paid. 

PhD Stipends

Most PhD programs expect students to study full-time. In exchange, they’re usually offered a stipend — a fixed sum of money paid as a salary — to cover the cost of housing and other living expenses. How much you get as a stipend depends on your university, but the range for PhD stipends is usually between $20,000 - $30,000 per year.  

In some cases, your stipend will be contingent upon an assistantship.

Assistantships

A PhD assistantship usually falls into one of two categories: research or teaching. 

For research assistantships , faculty generally determine who and how many assistants they need to complete their research and provide funding for those assistants through their own research grants from outside organizations. 

A teaching assistantship is usually arranged through your university and involves teaching an undergraduate or other class. Assistantships allow graduate students to gain valuable experience leading a classroom, and helps to balance out the university’s stipend costs. 

Fellowships

Fellowships provide financial support for PhD students, usually without the teaching or research requirement of an assistantship. The requirements and conditions vary depending on the discipline, but fellowships are generally merit based and can be highly competitive. Fellowships usually cover at least the cost of tuition, but some may even pay for scholarly extracurricular activities, like trips, projects or presentations. 

Fellowships can be offered through your university or department as well as outside sources. 

Part-time Employment

PhD students don’t commonly have additional employment during their course of study, but it is possible depending on your discipline and the rigor of your program. Flexible, low-demand jobs like freelance writing or tutoring can be a natural fit for many PhD students, and might be flexible enough to balance along with your coursework. 

All in all, it’s fair to say that though the form of payment may be unfamiliar, PhD students do in fact get paid. But keep in mind that while most PhD programs offer some kind of funding for students, it’s not guaranteed. 

Want to know more about how to pay for a PhD ? Explore our Guide to Choosing and Applying for PhD Programs . 

Learn more about

doctoral degrees at SMU, and how you can choose the right program and thrive in it, in our Guide to Getting a PhD.

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• Introduction
• Academic Requirements
• Conduct and Safety

This section provides information about the requirements and policies associated with financial support. Financial support is the shared responsibility of Harvard Griffin GSAS, the academic program, and the student. Your financial aid officer can help you navigate the many options available.

• Fellowships
• Financial Obligations
• External Awards
• FAS Humanities and Social Sciences Support
• Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS)
• The GSAS Professional Development Fund for PhD Students
• Tuition and Health Fee Grants
• Hardship Funding
• Paying Your Student Account
• Regulations Regarding Employment
• Non-Resident Students
• Registration

PhD student funding packages may include stipends for living expenses, as indicated in their Notice of Financial Support. Questions regarding the disbursement schedule for stipends should be directed to the student’s assigned  financial aid officer .

Please note that Harvard stipends cannot be disbursed unless the student has formally accepted the award and completed all required forms in the Admissions Portal (incoming students) or the Student Aid Portal (continuing students).

Stipends are disbursed to students on or around the first day of each month. For those students enrolled in the University’s  direct deposit  program, stipend disbursements are deposited into the designated bank account. Those without an active direct deposit agreement in place will receive stipend disbursements via paper checks, which are sent to the mailing address of record in the  my.harvard student information system. It is essential that students keep the contact information in my.harvard current at all times.

Stipends are subject to US federal income tax. US citizens and permanent residents should note that their stipends are not subject to income tax withholding, so it may be necessary to make estimated tax payments over the course of the year. For more information about taxes, see the  Student Financial Services  website. 

There are restrictions on holding teaching appointments while receiving stipend support. Please refer to the teaching policies for more information.

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The University of Pittsburgh provides funding to most admitted PhD students for five years. The typical package of stipend, individual health insurance , and tuition remission offered to graduate students at Pitt is competitive with that offered by other public research universities.

2023–2024 Stipend Rates

Stipends for graduate student researchers (gsr), graduate student assistants (gsa), teaching assistants (ta), teaching fellows (tf).

The one-term stipend rates, effective September 1, 2023, for the 2023-24 academic year are below.

Note: The maximum one-term stipend rate for GSR/GSA/TA/TF is $13,330.

GSR/GSA/TA/TF appointments also include individual health insurance coverage in the UPMC Health Plan for students at no cost and a full or partial tuition scholarship including most fees.

For complete details on GSRs and TAs/TFs/GSAs including benefits, see the GSR Academic Regulations and the  TA/TF/GSA Academic Regulations .

Current students can contact the Graduate Associate Deans or the School Ombudspersons for questions.

Interested applicants can  contact directly  the school or program you are interested in to determine the availability for graduate appointments.

Highest PhD Stipend In USA: Best Universities with Highest Paid PhD Stipends

If you are here, chances are you are exploring universities that offer the highest PhD stipends in the USA. Well, you are at the right place.

This article delves into institutions that not only prioritise research and education but also ensure their students are well-supported financially. 

From Stanford’s impressive stipends to the competitive packages at Princeton, we uncover the top universities where PhD candidates can focus on their studies without the burden of financial constraints, setting a benchmark for academic excellence and support.

Highest PhD Stipend In USA

Which universities offer the highest phd stipend in usa.

Stipends can help easy the journey of many PhD students, and here are the highest paying PhD stipends in the USA:

Stanford: At Stanford University, PhD students are at the top, with a whopping $45,850 stipend, the highest PhD stipend, making it a dream for many. This hefty sum covers not just tuition but also living expenses, a critical factor in places with a high cost of living.

Princeton: Princeton University isn’t far behind, offering its graduate students between $47,880 to $50,400 . The university sweetens the deal with a full fellowship stipend paid in August for new students, setting a high bar for PhD stipends in the United States.

South Carolina: The University of South Carolina offers a different kind of allure with a minimum stipend of $34,000. This amount, boosted by a “Provost Fellowship Top Off,” brings the total to at least $36,000. For students pursuing a PhD, this financial aid is significant, especially when considering the cost of living in South Carolina compared to more expensive states.

Rice: Rice University present compelling options with their departmental stipends and fellowship packages. Rice offers up to $40,000 a year.

Houston:  University of Houston provides a substantial $31,000, coupled with a Graduate Tuition Fellowship, enhancing the value of the stipend further.

Ohio: Ohio University stands out for its generosity, surpassing many with diverse assistantships that include a full tuition waiver and a stipend, showcasing the range of stipends available to PhD students in the United States.

Boston: Boston University guarantees a package that includes a stipend, tuition scholarship, and health insurance credit, adjusting the stipend amount based on the program and academic year.

Cornell: CornellUniversity demonstrates its commitment to graduate education with an 8% increase in graduate assistantship and fellowship stipends, ensuring students receive competitive financial support.

These universities not only offer some of the highest PhD stipends but also ensure that the stipends do justice to the living costs, making them the best universities for prospective PhD candidates to consider.

Are These Stipends Enough To Pay For Cost Of Living?

Generally stipends are offered to assist PhD students manage their living costs, while being able to focus on their study and research work.

But here’s the catch. Even the highest PhD stipend may not stretch as far as you’d hope in cities where the cost of living is sky-high.

Rent, groceries, and other living expenses can quickly eat into your stipend, making financial management a crucial skill for PhD students.

The story changes a bit when you look at universities in areas with a lower cost of living. The University of South Carolina, for instance, offers a minimum stipend of $34,000, which goes further in a less expensive city.

For many PhD students, the stipend is just part of the financial puzzle. Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and external fellowships can supplement your income, but these come with their own commitments and pressures.

And remember, that stipend isn’t just for living expenses. It often needs to cover:

• student fees,
• health insurance,
• and sometimes even a portion of your tuition.

So, are PhD stipends enough? It really depends on where you’re studying and how you manage your finances. While some students find their stipends sufficient, others juggle additional jobs or seek external funding to make ends meet.

It’s a delicate balance, one that prospective PhD candidates should consider carefully before diving into their doctoral studies.

Can International Students Get PhD Stipends In The US?

For international students dreaming of a PhD in the US, the question of funding is crucial. You might wonder, “Can I get a stipend too?”

The good news is, yes, international students are often eligible for PhD stipends just like their US counterparts.

In fact, universities like Stanford and Princeton offer substantial stipends, with amounts that aim to cover living expenses and sometimes more.

These stipends are part of fellowship packages, which means they’re not tied to teaching or research assistantships, offering more freedom for your studies.

But here’s something you might not know. The value of the stipend can greatly depend on your department and research area. Some departments offer higher stipends based on the availability of funds and the nature of the research.

Also, the cost of living can vary widely across the US, so a stipend that is generous in one city might be just enough to get by in another.

International PhD candidates often worry about additional costs like:

• health insurance
• tuition fees, and
• travelling homw.

Many US universities cover these expenses as part of the stipend package, easing the financial burden on students.

So, if you’re an international student looking to pursue a PhD in the US, rest assured that stipends are within reach. But, it’s wise to research and understand the stipend amount, what it covers, and how it stacks up against the living costs in your chosen city.

Can PhD Students Get Stipends Outside Of USA?

When you look beyond the US for PhD programs, you’ll find some attractive stipends that make the academic journey more viable.

For example, Norway and Denmark shine with stipends around $55,000, setting a high standard for supporting PhD candidates.

This level of financial aid is not just about covering tuition but ensuring that living expenses don’t become a burden. It’s a model that some of the best universities around the globe are starting to follow.

In countries like these, the stipend for PhD students does more than just cover the basics. It respects the fact that these students are often at the highest level of education, having possibly completed a master’s or bachelor’s degree.

The value of the stipend reflects the cost of living, allowing students to focus on their research interests without the constant worry of financial strain.

PhD programs in such regions offer more than just a high PhD stipend; they offer a living wage ratio that many find hard to match.

This approach not only attracts international students but also sets a precedent for how PhD stipends should be structured.

It’s about recognising the contribution of doctoral students and ensuring they can pursue their academic and research goals without undue hardship.

This insider detail reveals a stark contrast to places where stipends do not cover living costs, highlighting a progressive stance on supporting postgraduate students.

Highest-Paying Stipend For PhD Students

Universities offering the highest PhD stipends in the USA demonstrate a commitment to fostering academic excellence by alleviating financial pressures on their students.

 These institutions stand out not just for their academic prowess but for their dedication to supporting PhD candidates through substantial stipends.

As prospective students navigate their options, these universities emerge as beacons of opportunity, ensuring that financial aid goes hand-in-hand with world-class education and research opportunities, shaping the next generation of scholars.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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CSStipendRankings: PhD Stipend Rankings

CSStipendRankings is a stipend-based ranking of top-paying computer science departments in US. We may implement support for other countries and you are welcomed to contribute! For a real academic ranking, please refer to CSRankings . For reviewing individual PhD advisors, please refer to PI Review .

• Stipend is the minimal amount of pre-tax allowance graciously granted by the institution to its PhD students. Currently, we support displaying (1) the stipend received by the majority of students , (2) the minimal guaranteed stipend , and (3) the stipend that students receive during the semester only . Note that some departments do not have guaranteed summer funding , and we are currently working to collect such data. For now, this data is not complete.
• Fees are annual non-reimbursible tariffs (including health insurance) reclaimed by said institution. See why health insurance is included in here. If the institution charges a CPT fee or summer enrollment fee for international students, they should also be counted here. In short, this should be the maximum possible fee that the institution charges.
• Living cost is calculated based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator for the institution's city. See why we use this calculator and its limitations in here .
• summer-gtd , indicating summer funding is guaranteed in this department.
• varies , indicating the amount of funding varies from advisor to advisor in this department.
• no-guarantee , indicating this department does not guarantee any funding at all (at least for a subset of its enrolled PhD students, where a PhD student is defined as a graduate student who is required to conduct research under an advisor to graduate and get a degree). Anyone who can prove this is welcomed and encouraged to submit an issue, and we will add this label immediately. See the reason here .
• cpt-fee , indicating international students in this department need to pay a fee for their CPT applications.
• striking , indicating this department is currently under a strike.
• , indicating the stipend is verified for the semesters, but not for the summer. This icon also serves as a hyperlink to the document used for verification, if the document is uploaded to a publicly accessible location, such as GitHub issues.
• , indicating we have a survey for this department. If you are a PhD student at this department, please click the icon to fill it.

To raise issues/comments : We believe issues and comments should be discussed and resolved publicly on GitHub for transparency. If you believe any data is inaccurate or have additional comments, please open an issue or a pull request . The maintainers will not respond to private messages sent to their personal or university accounts regarding this website.

* We have noticed discrepancies in the data reported for this university or department, and we suspect that it may not be entirely accurate. If you have access to more reliable information, we would appreciate it if you could share it with us.

This ranking is part informational and part satire, designed to democratize information on how PhD students in computer science and related areas are paid for their labor – inadequately , in most cases.

Most of the frontend code of this website is from CSRankings , and we intentionally used the same template. The code of this website can be found at https://github.com/CSStipendRankings/CSStipendRankings , and the data presented can be found as a CSV file here .

Contributing: Everyone is welcomed to submit patches or report the stipend via pull requests . Also, feel free to submit issues on GitHub . We encourage submitting datapoints through issues due to its ability to facilitate public discussion. Additionally, it provides the advantage of creating a hyperlink on the checkmark that directs to the corresponding issue. In most cases, we will respond to a submitted issue within a few days.

Frequent-Asked Questions: Please see FAQs here .

Disclaimer: CSStipendRankings is designed to highlight stipend situations across various institutions, based on user-submitted information. We try our best to verify their accuracy, but we cannot guarantee they are correct or up-to-date. Ultimately, while we hope you find this information useful, this should not be used as the primary basis for grad school decisions . We advocate users to do their own research before making life decisions.

THIS SOFTWARE AND INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

CSStipendRankings is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . The frontend (i.e., CSS and HTML) of this website is based on code licensed from CSRankings, a work at https://github.com/emeryberger/CSrankings . The copyright of CSRankings is owned by Emery Berger . The copyright of the non-CSRankings part of CSStipendRankings is owned by its contributors .

PhD Stipend Survey Results

The living wage ratio (LW ratio) normalizes each gross pay entry to the local living wage. The purpose is to allow you to quickly compare the pay received by students at universities in different cost-of-living areas. See the FAQ for more information.

Show/Hide gross pay details.

Is PhD for me

How much are phd stipends taxed in the US?

You’ve just received news that you’ve been accepted into a PhD program. The excitement is at its peak as visions of groundbreaking research and intellectual pursuits dance through your mind. But behind that, one question comes to your mind: how much are phd stipends taxed in the US ? 

Ah, yes, welcome to the world of tax rules for PhD students. In today’s guide, you’ll learn the complexity of taxation in academia. This post will equip you with everything you need to know about maximizing your financial well-being while pursuing knowledge at its highest level.

Table of Contents

1. what is a phd stipend, and how does it work in the us.

A PhD stipend is a monetary handout and a lifeline that sustains graduate students throughout their arduous academic journey. While it may be seen as financial assistance, it also represents recognition of the student’s potential and contribution to the research community. Think about it – without these stipends, many talented students could not pursue advanced degrees and contribute valuable insights to their respective fields.

So, how does a PhD stipend work in the US?

This is a modest living allowance provided to doctoral students. It is not a salary, but enough to scrape by each month. PhD students often receive tuition coverage and funding through teaching or research assistantships.

PhD students face expensive tuition and living costs, causing stress and uncertainty. Limited funding options require them to find extra income. Uncertainty makes planning hard and stresses academic life. PhD students have a lot of work, including research, data analysis, writing, and teaching.

2. Taxation Basics Every International PhD Student Should Kno w

Tax Residency Status: The IRS groups people into two categories: (a) residents and (b) non-resident aliens. This affects how you’re taxed as a PhD student. 

• If you’re a resident , you meet either the green card or substantial presence test. In simple terms, (a) you either hold a green card for permanent US residence or (b) have spent a significant amount of time there. 
• If you don’t meet these criteria , you’re considered a non-resident alien for tax purposes. Non-resident aliens are usually temporary visitors or have minimal ties to the US.

Taxable vs. Non-Taxable Income: Given below, I have discussed taxable and non-taxable income. If you want a list of this Income, it is available in Publication 525 .

• Taxable income is the part of your stipend that the government taxes. This usually includes money you earn from a job. If you have a job and receive a stipend, you have to pay taxes on the income from your job. 
• Non-taxable income is the part of your stipend that is not taxed. This often includes scholarships and grants that help students financially. 

Not all scholarships and grants are non-taxable, so it’s essential to check the tax laws or ask a tax professional if you need to report any of these funds as taxable income when you file your taxes.

3. Federal income tax for international PhD students

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for collecting taxes, and they have specific rules regarding the Taxation of Nonresident Aliens . When filing a federal income tax return, remember these things:

• Use IRS Form 1040NR-EZ, designed for nonresident aliens with no dependents.
• This applies when students’ US income comes from a job or scholarship grant related to studies.
• The form asks for basic information like name, address, and social security number (if applicable).
• Must report all wages or salary earned during the year.
• Report any scholarships or fellowships received.
• You must classify income as effectively connected (ECI) or fixed, determinable, annual, or periodical (FDAP) income.

  After filing the 1040NR-EZ form:

• Ensure filing by the appropriate deadline.
• Must retain copies of all relevant documents and receipts for at least three years.
• This is necessary in case of future audits or inquiries.

Disclaimer: Tax laws can be complex and subject to change, so consult a tax professional specializing in international PhD student taxes or seek guidance from your university’s international student office. 

4. State income tax for international PhD students

The liability of PhD students studying in the United States for state income tax will depend on the following factors. 

• Their residency status is crucial, as non-resident aliens might be exempt from or subject to lower state income tax rates. 
• Each state may have specific exemptions or deductions available for students, which could reduce their taxable income.

Some standard deductions or credits that may apply include tuition waivers granted by universities, research-related expenses such as laboratory equipment or travel costs, and education expenses like textbooks or course materials. These deductions or credits help alleviate the burden of taxation for students and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money.

5. Social Security and Medicare Taxes

Social Security and Medicare taxes, also called FICA taxes, are taken out of paychecks to support important social welfare programs in the US. Employees contribute a percentage of their earnings to Social Security and Medicare. The current rates are around 6.2 for Social Security and approximately 1.45 for Medicare , but higher earners may pay more for Medicare.

Now, let’s talk about whether students must pay these taxes.

In most cases, international PhD students with F-1 or J-1 visas don’t have to pay FICA taxes for their first five years in the US. This exemption applies to full-time students at accredited schools who have authorized jobs. But, it’s essential to know that after five years or if a student changes their visa, they must pay FICA taxes like any other worker in the US. There may be some exceptions to this rule .

6. Tax Filing Deadlines and Requirements

The deadline for filing your tax return in the United States is typically April 15th, but it may vary depending on your situation. If you need more time, you can file for an extension until October 15th. To file your taxes, you will need some important documents and forms. 

These include your W-2 form from your employer, which shows how much money you earned during the year. Any 1099 forms if you have additional income like freelancing or investments and any receipts or documentation of deductible expenses.

Tax Preparation Resources

The table below lists tax preparation resources, including software, websites, workshops, professionals, and organizations, with examples for reference.

Stipends are generally considered taxable income; certain deductions and exemptions may apply depending on individual circumstances. Students must understand their tax obligations and consult a tax professional if needed. Keeping thorough records of expenses related to research and education can help maximize deductions and minimize the tax burden. 

I hope you understand how much are PhD stipends taxed in the US, by staying informed and proactive, students can confidently navigate the tax landscape and ensure they are making the most of their stipend earnings. So don’t let taxes stress you out – take control of your financial situation and make the most of your PhD journey!

FAQs: PhD Student Tax in the US

Can you live off a phd stipend in the usa.

Yes, living off a PhD stipend in the USA is possible, but it may require careful budgeting and lifestyle adjustments. The stipend provided to PhD students varies depending on the university and field of study, but it generally covers basic living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation. 

Is a PhD stipend taxable in the US?

PhD stipends in the US are taxable. They should be withheld or included on your W-2 form. Instead, you must report and pay federal income tax on any payments beyond tuition, fees, books, and other expenses.

Are there any tax deductions or credits available for PhD students?

Yes, there are tax deductions and credits that may be available to PhD students, such as the Lifetime Learning Credit or the American Opportunity Tax Credit . For detailed information and guidance consult a tax professional.

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What is a PhD Stipend?

• Updated on  
• Dec 2, 2023

PhD is amongst the toughest, most rewarding degrees in the world. One of the biggest perks of pursuing a PhD is that you get paid for it. A PhD stipend is a monthly allowance given every month to students to cover their daily expenses, research, and accommodation. The expense covered under a PhD stipend varies based on the degree as well as organization. It is governed by three factors: whether they’re assisting in undergraduate teaching, assisting in research, or have secured a PhD. with a stipend. Depending on which of the three categories a student falls within, they will receive an income during their studies, however, the amount will differ by a substantial amount.

Check out the Best Countries for PhD

This Blog Includes:

Stipend vs salary, types of phd stipends, average phd stipend in the uk, average phd stipend in the usa, average phd stipend in australia, average phd stipend in canada, average phd stipend in germany.

Colleges may pay graduate students who work at the school via a stipend or a salary. Generally, the key differences between these options are as follows:

• Stipends are for students. You receive this funding as part of an assistantship or fellowship from the school. The money is meant to support your living expenses while you perform research or your other educational pursuits. Stipend amounts may be based on the length of the academic year, not the calendar year.
• Salaries are for employees. The school has formally hired you as an employee to perform specific responsibilities, like leading a class, for instance. As a salaried worker, your wages may be a set amount or based on the hours you work. You may also receive employee benefits such as subsidized health care or workers’ compensation.

There are three types of PhD stipends:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs): In exchange for a stipend, you’ll be required to assist in the delivery of one or more courses over a number of years. This includes but is not limited to, marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments, and providing support to undergraduates during office hours. Besides this, you may have to teach a small section of the course itself. You can discover more about GTAs on King’s College London’s website.
• Research Assistantships (RAs): In exchange for a stipend, you assist a departmental professor with their research. In the ideal scenario, the professor you work with should also be your PhD. supervisor and the research you’re asked to support relates to your own doctoral project.
• Stipend via Studentship: A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies. A studentship covers a student’s tuition fees whilst a stipend covers a PhD. student’s living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills, and basic travel. Unlike Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships, stipends rarely have duties attached to them. The only expectation of receiving a stipend will be that you maintain continuous progress within your degree.

It’s worth noting these earning opportunities can also be combined. For example, it’s possible to be a research assistant whilst also committing time to teach undergraduate students.

The average Ph.D. student salaries in UK for teaching assistantships will vary depending on the level of responsibility you’re taking. However, to provide figures, past doctoral students have reported receiving approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions, and up £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

The actual amount you can earn from teaching assistance will depend on the rate your department offers and the hours you can realistically take on. If you’re in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship program, they will require you to dedicate a set number of hours per week. If you’re not on a GTA but would still like to earn an income through this scheme, you will likely need to commit several hours per week consistently. Although this can be a great way to earn whilst you study, you need to make sure you manage your time effectively so as to not become overwhelmed by taking on an additional commitment. The average salary for research assistantships will vary depending on the field of the doctoral degree you are enrolled in. Usually, these positions pay between £25,000 to £30,000 per year, however, it’s possible to come across positions that sit slightly outside of this. As a general rule of thumb, STEM assistors are paid more than non-STEM assistors. Although £15,000 to £18,000 per year is the typical range for a stipend, some can be far greater than this. For example, Wellcome Trust, a research charity based in London, offers an annual stipend of up to £23,300 and £26,000 for doctoral students located outside and within London, respectively.

The United States is home to several of the world’s best universities making it a top destination for international researchers. A Master’s degree is not always required to do a PhD. in the US. Several top universities offer direct entry PhD programs. An American PhD begins with two to three years of coursework in order to pass qualifying exams. During this time doctoral students are able to develop their research interests and hone in on their thesis topic. They will then write a thesis proposal which must be approved before they can start their dissertation. Most programs require PhD students to gain two to three years of teaching experience as well, either by leading their own class or as teaching assistants for a professor. It takes an average of six years to earn a PhD. in the US. Unlike some European countries, there is no mandated minimum salary or national salary scale for PhD students in the US. PhD students earn between $15,000 and $30,000 a year depending on their institution, field of study, and location. This stipend can be tax-free (if it is a fellowship award) or taxable (if it is a salary e.g from a teaching position). American PhD students are usually only paid for nine months of the year but many programs offer summer funding opportunities. A PhD funding package will also include a full or partial tuition waiver.

Also Read: PhD in USA: Top Universities, Application Process and More! 410

The average PhD salary in Australiai s $29,500 per year or $15.13 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $28,092 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $40,000 per year. The Australian Government also offers a stipend for PhD students to live on while they research as part of the RTP. If your research qualifies for the RTP and you come from a qualifying country or are considered a domestic student, then you will also qualify for the stipend.

Must Read: PhD in Australia: A Complete Guide

An increasingly attractive and multicultural study destination, Canada is a great option to consider for your PhD studies, offering a wealth of research opportunities to help you expand your expertise. More than a third of the country’s overall research is conducted at Canadian universities, and this work contributes billions to the country’s economy. The University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship provides a stipend of at least CA$18,200 (~US$13,700) per year plus full tuition for outstanding international/home doctoral students for all four years of their studies.

Must Read: PhD in Canada for Indian Students

With no doctoral fees at all at public universities and a range of funding options for international students, Germany isn’t just one of the most prestigious European destinations for PhD research: it’s also among the most affordable. German PhD funding takes various forms, reflecting the range of different ways you can complete a PhD in Germany . Doctoral students are often supported by traditional academic scholarships and fellowships, but German universities and research institutes also offer salaried assistantships for their PhD researchers. With no doctoral fees at all at public universities and a range of funding options for international students, Germany isn’t just one of the most prestigious European destinations for PhD research: it’s also among the most affordable.

Also Read: PhD in Germany: Types, Eligibility, And Admission Process

A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies.

PhD students in USA can earn between $15,000 and $30,000 a year depending on their institution, field of study, and location.

PhD students in the UK receive approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions, and up to £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

This was all about a PhD stipend. For more study abroad services, call Leverage Edu at 1800 572 000 and get a free consultancy session by our experts.

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PhD Handbook

Phd Stipend In ...

Phd Stipend In USA: How to Find a Job After PhD in USA?

A PhD is considered to be one of the most challenging degrees around the world but equally rewarding too. It takes about 4 to 6 years to complete a PhD in USA. One of the best parts about doing a PhD is that you get paid for it. If you are interested in the academic field, a PhD can give your career a boost and result in a salary increment by almost 25% than a master’s degree. Not only will you be entitled to a PhD stipend in USA that is around $15,000-30,000 per year but also a lucrative salary after PhD in USA between $60,000-1,00,000 and above.

You have come to the right place to know about PhD stipend in USA. Here is a complete guide to provide you with details of PhD stipend in USA for international students, average salary after PhD in USA and answers to all your commonly asked questions about job after PhD in USA!

PhD Stipend in USA for International Students

Let us kick start the discussion on job and salary after PhD in USA by answering one of the most common questions among international students: what is the average stipend for PhD students in USA? 

Take note of the following details regarding PhD stipend in USA:

• Just like salaries for employees, students pursuing PhD are paid stipends which are funding from the institution to help you meet your living expenses while performing research.
• Here it is to be noted that the PhD student stipend in USA is paid on the basis of the number of months in an academic year i.e. usually 9 months per year rather than the entire calendar year.
• You can expect an average PhD stipend in USA between $15,000-30,000 per year.
• PhD stipend in USA for international students vary depending on the institution, your field of specialization and location.
• There is no minimum fixed stipend in PhD in USA like in some European countries.
• A PhD stipend in USA which is a fellowship award is tax-free while the one that is a salary for a teaching position is taxable.

Also Read: What is the total cost of pursuing Phd In USA?

Job and Salary after PhD in USA

Your salary after PhD in USA will depend on the type of job position, industry, level of experience and skills among other competent factors. Most commonly after earning a PhD, the candidate is likely to look for an academic position such as professor, lecturer, post doc, etc. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find jobs outside the academic arena as multinational companies are also looking for expert researchers who can take their organization to the next level.

Having said that let us take a look at the table below and explore the various job and salary after PhD in USA:

Also Read: How you can apply for Phd In USA to earn from above-listed jobs?

Top Recruiter and Salary after PhD in USA

It is a pre-assumed notion that the scope of getting a job after PhD in USA is limited to academics. Opposed to this, with your level of knowledge and field of expertise, you can approach recruiters in various sectors including government institutions, hospitals, insurance companies, laboratories, large corporations as well as private companies.

Here is a list of top recruiters that you can eye on depending upon your area of specialization after PhD in USA:

How to Find a Job after PhD in USA?

As you must have understood from the above discussion that PhD job roles are related to academic positions. Here what needs to be understood is that as a PhD candidate you will be treated more as a part of the university staff than a student. A job vacancy for pursuing PhD is the opening of the position to apply for PhD at a university itself where you will be given a stipend.

Here are the ways you can find a job after PhD in USA:

• Research: Proper research on your part is quite essential as after completing your PhD which will already be a long journey, you cannot sit back and relax to find a job. Being proactive and looking for job opportunities is necessary to make your PhD worth all the effort and time invested.
• Networking: Networking is indispensable in today’s job market as almost 70% of the vacancies in USA are filled through networking.
• Job search websites: 
• Career services at the university: The university where you have completed your PhD can help you by providing resources and information about job openings.
• Newspapers: You can keep an eye on the newspapers to find details of jobs that require a PhD qualified candidate.

This was all about PhD stipend in USA for Indian students. We hope this article has helped you realize the salary and job opportunities in PhD beyond the all-time favorite academic field. With several leading universities, the US is considered to be one of the hotspots among international researchers and could provide you with great career prospects. Speak to our Yocket counselors today to know about the best opportunities for PhD in USA and get insights on salary after PhD in USA. 

Also Read: How to pursue Phd in USA without GRE?

Frequently Asked Questions about PhD Stipend in USA

How much is the PhD stipend in USA for Indian students?

The PhD stipend in USA for Indian students is around 12,00,000-24,00,000 INR per year.

What are the top non-academic job after PhD in USA?

The top non-academic/part-time jobs after PhD in USA include market research analyst, actuary, life science researcher, data scientist, research scientist, business analyst, operations analyst, biomedical scientist, etc.

Does a PhD increase salary?

Yes, a PhD can help you increase your salary by almost 25-30%.

How can I work in USA after a PhD?

You can apply for a H-1B visa to live and work in the US after completing your PhD. You will need an employer from the academic or industrial field to sponsor your H-1B visa to the USCIS.

Is a master’s degree required to pursue PhD in USA?

It is not mandatory to hold a master’s degree to pursue PhD in USA. Several top universities offer direct admission to PhD programs without a master’s degree.

Kashyap Matani

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Graduate students recognized for academic excellence and research achievements

Two graduate students, Shabnam Etemadi and Ann Song, have each received the Yvonne Danielsen Endowed Graduate Award from the UCR Graduate Division for academic excellence and research achievements. The award offers a stipend of $10,000 and fees/tuition for one academic quarter.

Both students work on research projects with Prue Talbot , a professor of the graduate division in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology .

The award allows Etemadi to continue her research to test whether menthol in electronic cigarettes, or ECs, adversely affects human embryonic development by activating “transient-receptor-potential” (TRP) channels — a group of ion channels located mostly on the plasma membrane of numerous animal cell types. 

“Exposure of pregnant women to ECs may influence human prenatal development,” Etemadi said. “It is unknown to what extent individual constituents of EC products, such as flavor chemicals, influence human embryos in pregnant women who vape. Flavor chemicals raise particular concern because they are found in some ECs at high concentrations and can activate TRP channels in cells.”

Etemadi plans to graduate next summer with a doctoral degree in bioengineering.

The award supports Song’s ongoing research investigating the infectability of human embryos by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in pregnant women who have COVID-19.

“Mother-to-fetus transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus is understudied and can possibly lead to developmental defects,” Song said.

Song is also the recipient of an Academic Merit Fellowship from the Graduate Division for Spring 2024 and will receive an additional stipend of $10,000. The award also includes payment of fees during the Spring quarter.

Song expects to graduate next spring with a doctoral degree in cell, molecular, and developmental biology.

Born in Canada in 1925, Yvonne Danielsen settled in Hemet, California, in 1951. She left a generous bequest fund, established in 2005, to benefit UCR students in science.

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