7 answers
Jackson
Student
Clymer, Pennsylvania
2
Questions
Asked
1019 views
Does it cot alot to get a PHD?
I love everything about science and i was thinging about being an applied pycisist.
7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The educational data, that I have seen says the following.
On average, in the United States it costs:
For a Ph.D = $107,000 dollars
For a Doctoral = $150,000 dollars.
On average, in the United States it costs:
For a Ph.D = $107,000 dollars
For a Doctoral = $150,000 dollars.
Mahi Patel
Student Advisor and Dental
99
Answers
Davie, Florida
Updated
Mahi’s Answer
Pursuing a Ph.D. can be a significant financial commitment, but the costs can vary depending on factors such as the country, the university, the field of study, and the duration of the program. Here are some considerations:
Tuition and Fees:
Many Ph.D. programs offer tuition waivers or scholarships, especially in the sciences and engineering. However, some programs may charge tuition, and the costs can vary widely.
Research Expenses:
Depending on your field of study, you may need to cover research expenses, such as laboratory equipment, materials, or travel for data collection.
Living Expenses:
While pursuing a Ph.D., you'll need to cover your living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and personal costs. These can vary based on the cost of living in the area where the university is located.
Health Insurance:
Many universities require students to have health insurance. This cost may be included in your fees, or you may need to purchase it separately.
Conferences and Workshops:
Attending conferences and workshops is often beneficial for Ph.D. students, but it may incur additional costs for registration, travel, and accommodation.
Books and Materials:
You may need to purchase books, software, or other materials related to your research and coursework.
Duration of the Program:
The length of a Ph.D. program can vary, affecting your overall expenses. Some programs are designed to be completed in a shorter time frame, while others may take longer.
Financial Support:
Many Ph.D. students receive financial support in the form of scholarships, grants, fellowships, or teaching/research assistantships. This support can significantly offset the costs of pursuing a Ph.D.
Tuition and Fees:
Many Ph.D. programs offer tuition waivers or scholarships, especially in the sciences and engineering. However, some programs may charge tuition, and the costs can vary widely.
Research Expenses:
Depending on your field of study, you may need to cover research expenses, such as laboratory equipment, materials, or travel for data collection.
Living Expenses:
While pursuing a Ph.D., you'll need to cover your living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and personal costs. These can vary based on the cost of living in the area where the university is located.
Health Insurance:
Many universities require students to have health insurance. This cost may be included in your fees, or you may need to purchase it separately.
Conferences and Workshops:
Attending conferences and workshops is often beneficial for Ph.D. students, but it may incur additional costs for registration, travel, and accommodation.
Books and Materials:
You may need to purchase books, software, or other materials related to your research and coursework.
Duration of the Program:
The length of a Ph.D. program can vary, affecting your overall expenses. Some programs are designed to be completed in a shorter time frame, while others may take longer.
Financial Support:
Many Ph.D. students receive financial support in the form of scholarships, grants, fellowships, or teaching/research assistantships. This support can significantly offset the costs of pursuing a Ph.D.
Audrey Haynes, PhD
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
For most PhD programs in the sciences, you will get paid during your time there. This will typically either come in form of a research fellowship or a stipend for teaching. It's not a good idea to go to a science PhD program where you have to pay your full tuition - these programs are likely not competitive and the cost of that degree will not pay off in your later salary.
The real cost of pursuing a PhD is the opportunity cost. You will likely be paid less than 40k/year for 4-7 years -- how much could you have been making in a different job during that time? In particular, you should pay attention to the salaries of PhD s graduating from any program you look into.
During my PhD in Biology I received an NSF fellowship for three years, and I taught undergraduate courses for several several semesters.
Note that PhDs in non-science fields often are not paid.
The real cost of pursuing a PhD is the opportunity cost. You will likely be paid less than 40k/year for 4-7 years -- how much could you have been making in a different job during that time? In particular, you should pay attention to the salaries of PhD s graduating from any program you look into.
During my PhD in Biology I received an NSF fellowship for three years, and I taught undergraduate courses for several several semesters.
Note that PhDs in non-science fields often are not paid.
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
178
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
How much does it cost to earn a Ph.D.? It depends on your discipline and availability of scholarship/graduate assistantship. It will cost a lot if you do not have either of the above financial assistance.
Based on my understanding, there is a lot of outside funding for science and engineering programs. As for other disciplines such as humanities, I heard that the funding is very tight.
That said, it should be appreciated that the graduate assistantship program is very competitive. It must be on top of your study to keep your assistantship.
I can only speak for my own discipline, physics.
After earning my bachelor’s of science degree in 1975, I was admitted to a graduate school for my master’s degree in physics with graduate assistantship. With this assistantship, the tuition was fully waived in addition to a stipend on which I could live fugally. I was a graduate teaching assistant for one year and moved to be a graduate research assistant for another two years. I moved to another college for my Ph.D., where I stayed for six years with full graduate assistantship. For most of my tenure there, I was a graduate research assistant.
Basically, the graduate assistantship is a way to finance graduate students to earn their degree almost for free. The workload for a graduate teaching assistant can be heavy, whereas the workload for a graduate research assistant can vary depending on your sponsoring professor. In any way, it can be considered a free lunch because you are paid to learn and prepare for your future career.
Based on my understanding, there is a lot of outside funding for science and engineering programs. As for other disciplines such as humanities, I heard that the funding is very tight.
That said, it should be appreciated that the graduate assistantship program is very competitive. It must be on top of your study to keep your assistantship.
I can only speak for my own discipline, physics.
After earning my bachelor’s of science degree in 1975, I was admitted to a graduate school for my master’s degree in physics with graduate assistantship. With this assistantship, the tuition was fully waived in addition to a stipend on which I could live fugally. I was a graduate teaching assistant for one year and moved to be a graduate research assistant for another two years. I moved to another college for my Ph.D., where I stayed for six years with full graduate assistantship. For most of my tenure there, I was a graduate research assistant.
Basically, the graduate assistantship is a way to finance graduate students to earn their degree almost for free. The workload for a graduate teaching assistant can be heavy, whereas the workload for a graduate research assistant can vary depending on your sponsoring professor. In any way, it can be considered a free lunch because you are paid to learn and prepare for your future career.
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jackson,
You first need to get a bachelors degree (4 years). Depending on where you study you then have the options to either do a masters followed by a PhD, or you can enter the PhD program right after undergrad, or often times masters and PhD are rolled into one meaning on your way to the PhD (which takes typically between 4 and 6 years) you get the masters after 1 ot 2 years.
In the sciences and engineering you typically get paid when you do a PhD, so tuition and modest living expenses are covered. You'll work either as a teaching assistant (TA) or a research assistant (RA) in the department which gives you some experience.
I hope this helps! If you want a PhD, go for it. Good luck!
KP
You first need to get a bachelors degree (4 years). Depending on where you study you then have the options to either do a masters followed by a PhD, or you can enter the PhD program right after undergrad, or often times masters and PhD are rolled into one meaning on your way to the PhD (which takes typically between 4 and 6 years) you get the masters after 1 ot 2 years.
In the sciences and engineering you typically get paid when you do a PhD, so tuition and modest living expenses are covered. You'll work either as a teaching assistant (TA) or a research assistant (RA) in the department which gives you some experience.
I hope this helps! If you want a PhD, go for it. Good luck!
KP
Yolanda Williams, PharmD, PhD
Pharmacist
14
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Yolanda’s Answer
It does not cost to get a PhD. You can find programs that even give you a stipend while you are in grad school or you can apply to be a TA. I went to UK in Lexington KY and they paid me while I was getting my PhD but I did have my PharmD as well. So it depends on the program.
Melody Tharpe
Education - Teacher
166
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Melody’s Answer
Hello Jackson,,
Getting a PhD is about the same money as getting the lesser degrees of BA or Masters. The "cost" really comes in the timing. What will you have to put off, forgo, or stop in getting enough time to complete the research, interviews, meeting with an advisor, etc? You will need to have a thorough presentation to argue/defend before the PhD committee. The average figure is $20,600 per year depending on the program, but this does not count the additional funds and time commitment. Best regards for your future endeavors and pursuits.
Getting a PhD is about the same money as getting the lesser degrees of BA or Masters. The "cost" really comes in the timing. What will you have to put off, forgo, or stop in getting enough time to complete the research, interviews, meeting with an advisor, etc? You will need to have a thorough presentation to argue/defend before the PhD committee. The average figure is $20,600 per year depending on the program, but this does not count the additional funds and time commitment. Best regards for your future endeavors and pursuits.
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