
Cost of Living and Graduate Stipends
When comparing graduate programs, it is reasonable to include the stipends
provided by each institution. However, this number must be adjusted
by the cost of living. If you go by the raw data, you may end up
with a raw deal. According to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers
Association, the cost of living in Oklahoma City (about 15 miles away from
campus) is about 92% of the national average. What does this
mean practically?
Twelve-month stipends for teaching typically run $15,000 at OU.
(Non-native speakers of English may earn less until they pass a teaching
test.) This sum may be increased when students pass their Specialist
Exam and become Ph.D. candidates, and can be augmented by awards and supplements.
For the purposes of comparison, let's stick to the $15,000 figure.
Using this figure we can calculate
the amount you would have to make in other cities to have the same earning
power. You would have to make:
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$19,950.00 in Los Angeles, CA.
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$17,233.33 in Denver, CO.
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$18,916.67 in Ann Arbor, MI.
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$17,516.67 in Columbus, OH.
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$17,550.00 in Chicago, IL.
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$23,750.00 in Boston, MA.
The above cities are chosen as representative. You are welcome
to follow the above link and find out for yourself!
Please follow the links below to
obtain related information:
Sponsor:
OU Physics & Astronomy
Developer: Kieran Mullen
Updated December 8, 1998
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