Your funding package will depend on the degree program you're pursuing. It is generally accepted that you should not pay anything for a Ph.D. program, but that doesn't necessarily apply to other programs like professional programs, master's degrees, and other certificates. Funding amounts also vary based on the field you're entering.
Once you are accepted into a Ph.D. program and receive a funding package, it is important to consider many factors, including:
- How much is the stipend? Are there hidden costs involved (such as health insurance that comes out of your stipend)?
- How many years of funding are guaranteed?
- What is the cost of living? Can I afford to live on this stipend with minimal or no loans?
- In the sciences, is there space for you to work on a funded research project that interests you? Many dissertations come out of work on a faculty member's study
- In social sciences and humanities, are there options for additional research funding and language training? It can be hard to complete your program quickly if there are not summer research and language opportunities available.
- How much teaching or TAing will I have to do? You definitely need teaching experience, sample syllabi, and teaching evaluations, but you also need to make sure you finish your dissertation.
Stipend Survey
The Chronicle of Higher Education conducted a TA Stipend Survey based on the stipends during 2008-2009. You can search for data based on institution.
Who Pays the Most...and the Least
The following comes from the 2008-2009 data of the Chronicle Survey:
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Biology research assistants (full-year appointments)
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U. of California at San Diego*
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$28,000
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Brandeis U.
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U. of Chicago
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U. of Southern Mississippi
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Central Michigan U.
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U. of North Carolina at Charlotte
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*Stipend data are from 2007-8.
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Economics teaching assistants (academic-year appointments)
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology*
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$23,534
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New York U.
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Rutgers U. at New Brunswick
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U. of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Miami U. (Ohio)
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U. of Arkansas at Fayetteville
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*Stipend data are from 2007-8.
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English teaching assistants (academic-year appointments)
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Southern Methodist U.
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$24,720
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New York U.
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Rutgers U. at New Brunswick
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U. of Arkansas at Little Rock
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Portland State U.
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Seton Hall U.
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History teaching assistants (academic-year appointments)
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New York U.
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$22,000
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Rutgers U. at New Brunswick
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Cornell U.
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U. of Central Florida
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Portland State U.
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U. of Missouri at St. Louis
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Sociology teaching assistants (academic-year appointments)
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New York U.
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Rutgers U. at New Brunswick
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Cornell U.
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$20,710
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Wichita State U.
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Portland State U.
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North Dakota State U.
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