<p>PhD programs in physics all provide a stipend and waive tuition. The top schools most likely offer the highest stipends. For example, Harvard offers ~$33,000, Cornell ~$26,000, Illinois $22,000. This highest most likely is Stanford (Palo Alto is very expensive) at $37,000. If you are deemed to be one of the top applicants, schools may also provide you with extra money in the form of an internal fellowship. Examples are the Nambu fellowship at Chicago (almost a postdoc’s salary), the Stanford fellowship, the James Mills Peirce Fellowship at Harvard, and signing bonuses at CU Boulder. You can also apply for external fellowships like NDSEG, NSF, and Hertz.</p>