Ph.D. in the USA: Ph.D. course fees, best colleges, scholarships, and other expenses
Ph.D., also known as a doctoral degree, is one of the most rewarding degrees to help you land an exceptionally well-paying job.
What is a Ph.D.?
Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is a research-oriented degree program where you conduct experiments and deep investigation on your subject.
Why pursue a Ph.D. in the USA?
The USA is known worldwide for its top-notch education institutes and cutting-edge facilities, which provide researchers enormous opportunities to advance in their respective fields.
Moreover, if you are a doctoral student studying in the USA, there is an immense scope for you to kickstart your career as a scientist, analyst, full-time researcher, or professor in reputed universities and firms.
And the salary you can earn is no joke. As per the data released by the US Census Bureau, a Ph.D. graduate earns 50% more income as compared to a candidate with a bachelor’s degree.
How many years does a Ph.D. take?
Completing a doctoral program in the United States takes between four to six years if you are pursuing full-time research.
But if a student is pursuing research part-time, it takes up to eight years or more to finish the Ph.D.
The time period also depends upon the program, the topic of research, and the selected institute.
How to do a Ph.D. in the USA?
To enroll in a doctorate program in the United States, a candidate must have a master’s degree in a similar discipline.
However, the United States also allows students with a bachelor's degree to pursue a Ph.D. program. For the same, candidates must have completed a four-year bachelor's program in the field they are willing to advance through a doctorate program.
In fact, if you have research publications from your bachelor’s or master’s degree program before enrolling in a Ph.D., your chances of getting admitted to a top research institute are boosted by 50%.
Are you worried about your portfolio lacking published research papers? No need to get stressed. Check out our Research Paper Drafting and Publishing help and become a published author!
You can also become a part of a research group and co-author a project with like-minded researchers. And the best part is you get to share intriguing ideas as well as the total cost of publishing!
What is the stipend for a Ph.D. student in the USA?
A stipend is an amount of money given by institutes to their research students. It supports their cost of living in the United States.
A doctoral research candidate in the USA receives a stipend ranging from 15,000 USD to 30,000 USD.
The stipend amount varies depending on the field of research and the university.
However, the stipend in the USA is not paid for the entire period of twelve months. Instead, the payment is made per the duration of the academic year, which is nine months.
What is the tuition fee for a Ph.D. program in the USA?
Although the tuition fee for a doctorate differs based on the university, specialization, and program, the average Ph.D. course fee lies in the range of 29,000 USD to 56,000 USD annually.
But the best part is that a Ph.D. scholar receives a stipend to cover a major part of the tuition fee and the living expenses. Additionally, many scholarships are available for international students who travel to the USA to complete their Ph.D. and conduct advanced research.
Check out the list of attractive scholarships that can provide a thrust to your Ph.D. ambitions.
- Asian Cultural Council Fellowship Program
- American Association of University Women International Fellowships
- Campbell Fellowship for Transformative Research
- Fullbright Foreign Student Program
- Agha Khan Foundation International Scholarships
- East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship
- HHMI International Students Research Fellowship
- IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Award Program
Want one of such fruitful scholarships for yourself? Check out our Scholarship Application Help and get your hands on the best funding prospects available out there.
Living Expenses for a Ph.D. student in the USA?
The United States has the best educational institutions and state-of-the-art facilities for groundbreaking research in the world. These numerous advantages are followed by a substantial surge in living costs.
Living expenses for an international student are manageable within a range of 15,000 USD to 18,000 USD annually.
The living expenses also vary depending on the campus location and the city where you are living.
Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly expenditure for an international student living in the USA.
| Accommodation | $140 to $200 |
| Electricity | $25 to $45 |
| Food and Groceries | $200 to $400 |
| Internet | $20 to $40 |
| Mobile Phone | $60 to $90 |
| Sightseeing/ Weekend Activities | $50 to $80 |
| Entertainment | $70 to $90 |
| Total | $565 to $945 |
What are the best universities to get a doctoral degree?
The institute you choose to pursue a Ph.D. vastly impacts your academic growth as well as professional prospects. Therefore, it is important to decide the university wisely.
Here is a list of the ten best universities in the USA according to QS rankings. They have been ranked on the basis of multiple parameters, including research publications and citations per year.
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Learn more |
| Stanford University | Learn more |
| Harvard University | Learn more |
| California Institute of Technology | Learn more |
| University of Chicago | Learn more |
| University of Pennsylvania | Learn more |
| Princeton University | Learn more |
| Yale University | Learn more |
| Cornell University | Learn more |
| Columbia University | Learn more |
Are you looking forward to getting into one of the top universities? Check out our Complete Application Help, where our experts will help you turn your ambition of admission to ‘that’ dream college into a reality.
FAQs
1. How much does Ph.D. cost in the USA?
On average, a Ph.D. degree program in the USA costs about 29,000 USD to 56,000 USD annually.
2. How long does a Ph.D. take in the USA?
A Ph.D. program in the USA has a duration of 4 to 6 years for a full-time student and 8 to 10 years for part-time researchers.
3. Who is eligible for a PhD in the USA?
A candidate with a master’s or a four-year bachelor’s degree is eligible for a Ph.D. in the USA.
4. Will Ph.D. students get paid in the USA?
Yes, a student pursuing a doctoral degree in the USA receives an average stipend of 15,000 USD to 30,000 USD annually.
5. How can Indian Students get fully funded Ph.D. in the USA?
There are various fully funded scholarships like Fullbright Foreign Student Program and Agha Khan International Scholarships available for Indian students aiming to pursue Ph.D. in the USA.
6. Is an Indian Ph.D. valid in the USA?
Yes, if you have completed a doctoral program from a recognized Indian university, your Ph.D. will be valid worldwide.
7. Is Ph.D. in the USA better than in India?
The USA is known globally for its leading universities with cutting-edge technical facilities. Pursuing a Ph.D. in the USA will provide you with robust exposure and wide opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in your respective fields.
8. Can I do a Ph.D. in the USA after a Master’s in India?
Yes, an Indian student with a Master’s program degree is eligible for a Ph.D. in the USA.
9. Is GRE required for a Ph.D. in the USA?
No, GRE is not required to get admission into Ph.D. programs in the United States.
10. When do Ph.D. programs start in the USA?
Most universities have fall intake for the Ph.D. program, i.e., classes would start in the month of August or September.
