Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs
If you’re a student looking to dive into graduate research—whether in education, engineering, English, business, nursing, or other fields—there are fully funded Ph.D. programs out there for you. These programs usually cover tuition and fees, provide an annual stipend (which can often go toward living expenses), and sometimes even include health insurance and other support. Of course, to keep these benefits, you’ll need to maintain good academic standing and meet enrollment requirements. Below is a list of 27 fully funded Ph.D. programs at U.S. colleges and universities—just keep in mind that these are highly competitive and demanding, and this isn’t an exhaustive list, so you’ll want to do your own research too.
Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Chicago (IL)
Anthropology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago—no matter their citizenship—can get funding for up to eight years, as long as they stay in good standing. That means a full-tuition scholarship, health insurance, a living stipend, and the chance to apply for outside fellowships.
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health at Harvard University (MA)
Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers a fully funded Ph.D. focused on disease prevention and treatment. The package includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance for five years (as long as you keep up your grades). International students get the same deal. Current lab research covers diseases like malaria, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Ph.D. in Business at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Ph.D. students can specialize in areas like economic sociology, organization studies, accounting, and IT. The funding includes full tuition, a monthly stipend (which later switches to a teaching or research assistant salary), medical insurance, new laptops in their first and fourth years, and five years of funding for conferences and research expenses.
Ph.D. in Business at Rice University (TX)
Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business gives full financial support to admitted Ph.D. students. The program preps them for teaching in fields like accounting, operations management, finance, and more, offering research or teaching assistantships, a tuition waiver, and an annual stipend—as long as they keep up their grades and stay enrolled full-time.
Ph.D. in Business at the University of Iowa
The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa funds nearly all admitted Ph.D. students, covering tuition, fees, an annual stipend, and 90% of health insurance. Some departments even throw in extras like conference travel funding, summer fellowships, and paid research time.
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University (NY)
Cornell’s chemical engineering Ph.D. students get full tuition, health insurance, and a stipend—whether from teaching, research assistantships, or fellowships. The stipend covers nine months, with summer funding likely. Admissions are based purely on merit, not financial need.
Ph.D. in Computer Science at Brown University (RI)
Brown guarantees full financial support for computer science Ph.D. students, including tuition, a stipend, health fees, and insurance. They can even take classes at nearby schools for free.
Ph.D. in Computer Science at Georgetown University (DC)
Georgetown’s program offers five years of funding—tuition, stipend, and health insurance—though summer funding isn’t guaranteed. Students must complete a teaching apprenticeship and defend a dissertation.
Ph.D. in Computer Science at Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Students here get full tuition, health insurance, a living stipend, and a new laptop. Funding’s guaranteed as long as they make good progress, and some may qualify for extra fellowships.
Ph.D. in Economics at Emory University (GA)
Emory’s economics Ph.D. students usually get full funding: a 40,324yearlystipend(startingfall2025),a40,324yearlystipend(startingfall2025),a70,200 tuition waiver, and full health insurance coverage. First-years don’t have to work for their stipend.
Ph.D. in Education at New York University
NYU Steinhardt offers full-time Ph.D. students a yearly stipend ($34,883 for 2025-2026), tuition coverage, and health insurance for five years. Programs range from developmental psychology to childhood education.
Ph.D. in Education at Stanford University (CA)
Stanford’s Graduate School of Education guarantees five years of funding—tuition, stipends, and assistantship pay—covering the full cost of attendance. Doctoral tracks include curriculum studies and developmental psychology.
Ph.D. in Education at the University of Pennsylvania
Penn’s Graduate School of Education funds Ph.D. students through the Dean’s Fellowship, offering a stipend, health insurance, and four years of tuition (if enrolled full-time). Some may get extra summer funding.
Ph.D. in Engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
All engineering Ph.D. students here get full funding, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. Specializations range from aerospace to robotics.
Ph.D. in English at Boston University (MA)
Students get five years of funding—stipend, full tuition, fees, and health insurance—with two years free from teaching. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed.
Ph.D. in English at the University of California—Los Angeles
UCLA’s six-year funding package includes two fellowship years, four years of teaching assistantships, summer stipends, tuition, fees, and health insurance. Extra funding for conferences and language study may be available.
Ph.D. in International Relations at American University (DC)
Students without outside funding get a renewable four-year Dean’s Fellowship—tuition, fees, and a stipend (earned through part-time teaching/research). They must also prove proficiency in a foreign language.
Ph.D. in Management at Binghamton University—SUNY
Every admitted student gets a teaching/research assistantship for up to four years, with full tuition and a stipend. The program is STEM-designated and has a 1-to-1 student-faculty ratio.
Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Duke University (NC)
Students receive five years of full tuition, fees, a 12-month stipend, and health/dental insurance. The program focuses on research, publishing, and conference presentations.
Ph.D. in Nursing at Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Full-time students get three fully funded years, with possible extensions. Support includes assistantships, fellowships, and relocation grants.
Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of Virginia
All admitted students get four years of funding—tuition, fees, insurance, and a stipend tied to a teaching assistantship (10 hours/week). The program is research-heavy.
Ph.D. in Nursing at Yale University (CT)
Yale funds its Ph.D. students fully for four years—stipend, tuition, and health care. Each student gets a faculty adviser and help securing dissertation funding.
Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities
Five years of funding includes tuition, a nine-month stipend, and health insurance. Specializations include cognitive science and industrial-organizational psychology.
Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Notre Dame (IN)
Five years of funding (tuition, stipend, health benefits) with a guaranteed sixth-year postdoc fellowship for those who finish on time.
Ph.D. in Social Work at Bryn Mawr College (PA)
All students get full tuition waivers and stipends—no competing for basic funding. Cohorts are small (3-4 students/year).
Ph.D. in Special Education at Vanderbilt University (TN)
Four years of funding includes full tuition, a competitive stipend, and health insurance. Focus areas range from early childhood education to disabilities.
Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama at Northwestern University (IL)
This interdisciplinary program offers five years of full tuition, a stipend (from fellowships/assistantships), and possible travel/language study funding.
More on Paying for Grad School
Fully funded programs aren’t the only way to cut grad school costs. Check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings for top programs in business, medicine, law, and more. For tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook and X/Twitter.
List of Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs
- Ph.D. in Anthropology – University of Chicago (IL)
- Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health – Harvard University (MA)
- Ph.D. in Business – MIT
- Ph.D. in Business – Rice University (TX)
- Ph.D. in Business – University of Iowa
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering – Cornell University (NY)
- Ph.D. in Computer Science – Brown University (RI)
- Ph.D. in Computer Science – Georgetown University (DC)
- Ph.D. in Computer Science – Washington University—St. Louis (MO)
- Ph.D. in Economics – Emory University (GA)
- Ph.D. in Education – New York University
- Ph.D. in Education – Stanford University (CA)
- Ph.D. in Education – University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D. in Engineering – University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
- Ph.D. in English – Boston University (MA)
- Ph.D. in English – University of California—Los Angeles
- Ph.D. in International Relations – American University (DC)
- Ph.D. in Management – Binghamton University—SUNY (NY)
- Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering – Duke University (NC)
- Ph.D. in Nursing – Johns Hopkins University (MD)
- Ph.D. in Nursing – University of Virginia
- Ph.D. in Nursing – Yale University (CT)
- Ph.D. in Psychology – University of Minnesota—Twin Cities
- Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures – University of Notre Dame (IN)
- Ph.D. in Social Work – Bryn Mawr College (PA)
- Ph.D. in Special Education – Vanderbilt University (TN)
- Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama – Northwestern University (IL)
