Graduate School Funding

Graduate School Living Stipend

Q: How much is a typical graduate school stipend?

Stipend amounts vary significantly by field, institution, and location. STEM doctoral programs at research universities typically offer $24,000 to $55,000 per year. Humanities and social science programs typically offer $15,000 to $35,000 per year. Top-ranked STEM programs at private universities in major cities often pay $38,000 to $55,000. Humanities programs at regional public universities may pay $15,000 to $20,000. Professional master's programs almost never include stipends — stipends are a feature of funded doctoral (PhD) programs.

Q: Is a graduate school stipend taxable?

Stipends paid in exchange for work (teaching assistantships, research assistantships) are taxable wages and are subject to federal and often state income tax. Fellowship stipends — where no work is required — are also generally taxable as income even though no W-2 may be issued. Tuition waivers are generally not taxable. Many graduate students are surprised to find that they owe taxes at filing time because their departments do not always withhold federal income taxes automatically from stipend payments. Setting aside 10 to 15 percent of each stipend payment for taxes is a reasonable precaution.

Q: How do I negotiate my grad school stipend?

Stipend negotiation is possible but must be approached carefully. The most effective leverage points are: a competing offer from another program with a higher stipend; an external fellowship award (NSF GRFP, Ford Foundation, etc.) that adds funding on top of any program offer; demonstrated cost-of-living need supported by local data; and department-level precedent (other students in the same cohort received more). The best time to negotiate is before accepting an offer — once enrolled, leverage decreases significantly. Frame requests as a desire to commit fully to the program rather than as a complaint about the existing offer.

What to expect, how it works, and how first-gen students can negotiate for more.

What a Stipend Actually Covers

Most PhD stipends in the United States range from $18,000 to $40,000 per year. In STEM fields, top programs at private research universities now pay $38,000 to $55,000 per year. In humanities and social sciences, stipends often fall between $15,000 and $30,000 — and in high-cost cities, that gap between stipend and cost of living is significant. For first-generation graduate students, who are less likely to have parental financial support to bridge that gap, stipend adequacy is not an abstract concern. It determines whether staying enrolled is financially sustainable.

Stipend Ranges by Field

Field / Program Type	Typical Stipend Range	Typically Funded?
STEM (top programs, private)	$38,000 to $55,000/yr	Yes
STEM (public universities)	$24,000 to $38,000/yr	Yes
Social Sciences	$18,000 to $30,000/yr	Partial
Humanities (top programs)	$20,000 to $35,000/yr	Partial
Humanities (regional programs)	$15,000 to $22,000/yr	Partial
Professional master's (MBA, MPP, MSW)	None	Rarely

For more on how to evaluate and negotiate the financial terms of a graduate offer, see our guide to grad school stipend negotiation and our overview of graduate school taxes, including how stipends and fellowship awards are treated by the IRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a graduate school stipend?

A graduate school stipend is a living allowance paid to doctoral students in exchange for academic work — typically teaching or research assistantships. Stipends function as salary and are distinct from tuition waivers and fellowship awards. In fully funded PhD programs, the stipend is the primary source of student income during the degree.

How much is a typical graduate school stipend?

STEM doctoral programs at research universities typically offer $24,000 to $55,000 per year. Humanities and social science programs typically offer $15,000 to $35,000 per year. Top-ranked STEM programs at private universities in major cities often pay $38,000 to $55,000. Professional master’s programs almost never include stipends.

How do PhD stipends compare to cost of living?

The gap between stipend levels and cost of living in expensive academic cities is one of the most important financial considerations in graduate school. A $28,000 annual stipend in Ithaca, NY, leaves approximately $800 per month after median rent. The same stipend in Boston leaves approximately $200 per month. In San Francisco, a $28,000 stipend creates a monthly deficit.

Is a graduate school stipend taxable?

Stipends paid in exchange for work (teaching or research assistantships) are taxable wages subject to federal and often state income tax. Fellowship stipends are also generally taxable as income even though no W-2 may be issued. Tuition waivers are generally not taxable. Many graduate students are surprised to owe taxes at filing time because departments do not always withhold federal income taxes automatically.

How do I negotiate my grad school stipend?

The most effective leverage points are a competing offer from another program with a higher stipend, an external fellowship award (NSF GRFP, Ford Foundation, etc.) that adds funding on top of any program offer, and department-level precedent showing other students in the same cohort received more. The best time to negotiate is before accepting an offer. Frame requests as a desire to commit fully to the program rather than as a complaint about the existing offer.

Can I live on a PhD stipend in Boston or New York?

Living on a PhD stipend in Boston or New York is possible but financially tight at most stipend levels. In Boston, a $28,000 stipend leaves approximately $200 to $400 per month after a shared apartment rental. At $38,000 per year, the same calculation allows for $800 to $1,000 per month after rent. In New York City, stipends below $35,000 per year typically require roommates, reduced food spending, or supplemental income. Programs at MIT, Harvard, Boston University, and Northeastern have been increasing stipend levels in response to organized graduate student pressure.