Financial Support for MS Students

Most MS students do not receive financial support and you should plan to be able to cover the full cost of tuition for the program. However, MS students have the opportunity to apply for teaching assistantships with the department, or approach individual faculty members about research assistantships. Typically, these opportunities are not available for first-year students, but students that do well in their first year often are able to find work as a TA in their second year.

Financial support for MS students comes in two forms:

  • Teaching assistantship (TA): You are paid in order to help support a course, for example running lab sections, grading homework, and doing office hours.
  • Research assistantship (RA): You are paid to work with a research group.

MS TAs are paid at $ 10,000 per semester for a 20-hour appointment. If you are paid as a TA or an RA, you are typically eligible for tuition benefit (i.e., reduced or waived tuition) for that term (see below for details).

Financial Support for PhD Students

PhD students in the School of Computing receive financial support while they are in the program, conditional on good progress.

Financial support for PhD students comes in three forms:

  • Fellowship: If you are admitted with a fellowship, you are supported by the department during your first semester.
  • Research assistantship: You are paid to work with a research group.
  • Teaching assistantship: You are paid in order to help support a course, for example running lab sections, grading homework, and doing office hours.

Here is How Much you can Expect to Earn as a PhD Student

Most PhD students are paid for doing research for most of their academic career.

As an RA, TA or Fellow, in 2024/2025 you will receive $ 13,162.50 per term for the fall and the spring term. If you continue to do research over the summer (as an RA), you will be paid between $ 8,775 and $ 17,550.00 for the summer term – these numbers can vary based on the hours you are employed for at your advisor’s discretion. There are typically no teaching opportunities over the summer. Hence, you can expect a yearly income of between $ 35,100 and $ 43,875. Also note that many students choose to do industry internships over the summers.

Tax rates in the US and in Utah are relatively low by international standards. If you are filing taxes as an individual, you can expect a take home pay of about $ 34-36k on a salary of about $ 43k.

If you are paid by the school for the spring and fall terms you will also receive a health insurance benefit covered at 100% (including the summer).

Tuition & Fees

Students who are financially supported by the Kahlert School of Computing are eligible for a tuition waiver called Tuition Benefit.

The Tuition Benefit covers your full tuition & many fees, which can be as much as $32k per year, assuming 12 credits per semester at the non-resident rate, if you receive a fellowship, work as a teaching assistant, or a research assistant.

However, TAs will be responsible for differential tuition (a specific college charge, which is roughly $100 per credit for College of Engineering courses).

All international students have to pay the international student fee ($150 per semester).

If you do not get a tuition waiver, then you must pay tuition & all your fees:

Living Expenses

The University of Utah campus is just next to downtown; public transportation is readily available and the cost of living is low comparable to most cities.

Cost of Attendance Information: 

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of school-related expenses the student can expect to have for the academic year, or semester of enrollment. Check the estimated Academic Year Cost of Attendance.

Housing Information:

There are lots of options for housing at the U!  Would you like to live on campus or off campus? Are you interested in themed communities? Would you prefer a meal plan or a kitchen to do your own cooking? The U’s on-campus housing includes several special living options designed to bring students with similar interests, majors, goals, and experiences together. We develop a sense of belonging, provide opportunities for personal growth, and foster a safe and supportive environment. Our team aims to make the University of Utah feel like home.

Visit the following page for more information on housing options: https://www.housing.utah.edu/.