<p>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.</p>
<p>One of my professors said that $40k CAD is not that hard but I have doubts.</p>
<p>I made about $20,000 per year as a graduate student about 5 years ago.</p>
<p>Do you mean salaries after graduation or while matriculated?</p>
<p>while matriculated....</p>
<p>I would agree that the $20k figure is about right. </p>
<p>Your scholarships would cover tuition and possibly fees. You stipend would typically be in the $15-25k/year area for a PhD student. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>^. $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. </p>
<p>I was born in FS and spent 4 years there. I remember hot, ants, and watermelon.</p>
<p>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.</p>