PhD Stipend Cost of Living Calculator

In the United States, PhD stipends paid as compensation for services (e.g., teaching or research assistantships) are generally subject to federal and state income tax. Fellowship stipends that are not compensation for services are not subject to FICA (Social Security/Medicare) but may still be subject to income tax. Tuition waivers are generally not taxable for graduate students as long as they are for enrollment below the doctoral level; this rule is complex for some doctoral students. Consult IRS Publication 970 and a tax professional.

Stipends vary widely by field and institution. STEM PhD students at R1 research universities often receive $25,000-$40,000 per year. Humanities stipends may be $18,000-$25,000. Cost of living in the university's city is a critical factor: a $30,000 stipend in a high-cost city like San Francisco may provide less purchasing power than a $22,000 stipend in a rural area.

Most fully funded PhD programs in the United States include a student health insurance fee waiver or subsidized health plan as part of the funding package. Confirm with your program office whether health insurance is included or must be purchased separately.

Even with a full tuition waiver, PhD students often pay mandatory student activity fees, recreation center fees, transportation fees, and technology fees, which can total $500-$2,000 per year depending on the institution.

Review competing offers, research your institution's cost of living, and present a professional case to your advisor or program director. Some programs increase stipends when students pass qualifying exams or advance to candidacy. External fellowships (NSF GRFP, NIH NRSA) can significantly supplement or replace departmental stipends.