Graduate School Cost Calculator
Estimate Master’s, MBA, JD, and PhD program expenses factoring in tuition remission, research or teaching assistantship stipends, and living costs.
Calculation Results
Graduate Degree Net Cost Formula
Net Grad School Cost = (Tuition × [1 − Remission %] + Mandatory Fees + Living Expenses) − Fellowship/Stipend- Accounts for tuition remission packages where universities waive 50% to 100% of graduate tuition.
- Subtracts graduate assistantship (GTA/GRA) monthly stipends paid in exchange for teaching or lab research.
- Reflects higher per-credit graduate tuition rates compared to undergraduate coursework.
- Models professional degree programs (MBA, Law, Medicine) that generally offer fewer funded assistantships.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
- Calculate Gross Annual Expenses: $32,000 tuition + $1,800 fees + $18,000 living = $51,800.
- Calculate Total Annual Funding: $32,000 waived tuition + $16,000 stipend = $48,000.
- Net Out-of-Pocket Cost per Year: $51,800 − $48,000 = $3,800.
- Total 2-Year Program Net Cost: $3,800 × 2 = $7,600.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter annual graduate school tuition and mandatory departmental fees.
- 2Specify your tuition remission percentage (enter 100% for full tuition waiver).
- 3Input teaching assistantship, research fellowship, or departmental stipend awards.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Graduate assistantship stipends are taxable income subject to federal and state tax withholding.
- Tuition remission eligibility requires maintaining minimum departmental GPA standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are STEM PhD programs usually fully funded?
Yes, most academic doctoral programs in STEM fields offer full tuition remission and living stipends ($22,000–$40,000/year) in exchange for 20 hours/week of research or teaching.
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