Salary of grad students

steevee · 07-09-2007, 10:02 PM

What is a conservative estimate of grad students' salaries? Let's assume an average grad student with a decent amount of scholarships, pay for working as a TA/RA, etc.

One of my professors said that $40k CAD is not that hard but I have doubts.

dr_reynolds · 07-09-2007, 10:45 PM

I made about $20,000 per year as a graduate student about 5 years ago.

UriA702 · 07-09-2007, 11:02 PM

Do you mean salaries after graduation or while matriculated?

racnna · 07-09-2007, 11:09 PM

while matriculated....

sky · 07-10-2007, 12:14 AM

I would agree that the $20k figure is about right.

Your scholarships would cover tuition and possibly fees. You stipend would typically be in the $15-25k/year area for a PhD student.

The $40k (CAN or US, regardless) would be pretty difficult. There are certainly some fellowships that pay in the $30-40k range, but they are extremely competitive and could hardly be expected. Some programs pay more than others, but as you said, we are talking about conservative/expected values here.

Also, it depends on how you calculate the total value. If you include the value of the tuition waiver, then yes, the total "compensation" can certainly exceed $40-50k. While the life of a grad student isn't glorious or filled with money, I would say that the total value of going to grad school is roughly the same as taking a job in industry. You either make $50k as an entry level engineer, or you get a $20k a year + free tuition. Your take home salary is obviously very different, but the value is certainly there.

thisoldman · 07-10-2007, 12:42 AM

DS is MCS candidate at T. DS has double undergrad degree from CMU, in HCI and ME. Project experience. T gave him full grad scholarship plus fellowship and TA stipend. Value of $36K CAD. He has special skill set that his department needed.

dr_reynolds · 07-10-2007, 08:15 AM

You said value of 36K CAD but does that include the value of the scholarship? If a grad student is on a RA or TA assistantship they typically don't pay tuition either. I made about $20K per year plus a scholarship. I suppose that the scholarship was worth at least $15K per year.

thisoldman · 07-10-2007, 09:14 AM

^. $36K CAD value includes foreign student tuition of ~$22K CAD. Nice package but the tax preparations DS has so far has cost him $3000 USD. Looking for another $2500 tax year 2007. Its about a breakeven situation. But he is getting a great networking opportunity and his CMU classmates now have a reason to visit CA.

I was born in FS and spent 4 years there. I remember hot, ants, and watermelon.

steevee · 07-11-2007, 08:08 PM

If I go on to the graduate school route, I would never expect to live a luxurious lifestyle. I just want to live comfortably (and I'm easily satisfied in terms of material goods), be able to afford to travel once a year, and support my mother if it ever becomes necessary. Of course, I would like to go to a top school, which is likely going to be in a big city.