Biostatistics School of Public Health

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Costs & Funding

The Department of Biostatistics is committed to building a diverse student body. We partner with the UW to seek funding to highly-qualified underrepresented minority students and students who have achieved academic merit despite significant social, economic, disability, and/or educational challenges.

Program Costs for 2025-26

The following documents provide estimates based on rates as of October 7, 2024. Rates are subject to change without notice but represent the best estimates based on current rates and historical trends.

Continue reading for more details on program costs and funding.

Tuition

PhD

PhD students are supported by Research Assistantships (RA) and/or Teaching Assistantships (TA).

  • Students with this type of support do not pay their tuition.
  • Students are still responsible for certain student fees.

MS

All MS students are responsible for their own tuition and fees.

MS Thesis students:

MS Capstone students:

  • The MS Capstone program is a self-sustaining, fee-based program offered in collaboration with UW Professional & Continuing Education.
  • Course fees are charged on a per-credit basis and are the same for Washington state resident and non-resident students. Fees must be paid at the start of each quarter.
  • Cost per credit is $1097, with a total of 50 credits required for the degree. This rate is for 2023–2024 and does not factor in other required student fees, course materials, or any annual fee increases.
  • The MS Capstone program is not covered by the Washington State Tuition Exemption Program for Washington State employees.

International MS students:

  • International MS students must meet the UW’s financial ability requirement to show adequate funding to cover living costs and tuition and campus fees for the first year of study.
  • Students submit the financial ability statement after accepting the offer admission.
Funding

PhD

Students in the PhD program are offered up to five years of guaranteed funding, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and job performance.

  • This financial support is offered through student employment in the form of research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA). Some training grant appointments may be available to U.S. citizen/permanent residents; these appointments are paired with a RA or TA.
  • RA and TA appointments pay a monthly stipend as well as cover the student's tuition and health insurance through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP). (Note: Student is responsible for certain student fees.)  
  • Guaranteed funding covers all 12 months of the year.
  •  Funding offered will total 50% full time equivalent (FTE)—approximately 20 hours per week. A training grant (TG) appointment will be supplemented with a 25% FTE RA or TA. 
  • Offer & Appointment Letters
    • The offer letter (sent in January) offers admission to the program and notes the guarantee of support, but does not have job appointment details.
    • The appointment letter (sent in September) communicates the job appointment(s) for the coming year. This letter will include the faculty supervisor/instructor name, project/course name, job duties, salary, benefits, union information, and start/end dates.

MS

Students in both MS degree programs should be prepared to pay for the entire cost of their program.

  • Occasionally, masters students find some limited short-term employment, but this does not cover the entire cost of the program.
  • Students seeking support are encouraged to start their search early, ideally before and while applying to graduate programs.
  • Locating funding/employment is the responsibility of the student. Please see below for helpful resources and fellowship lists.
Student Support Resources
  • Paying for Graduate School: Attending graduate school is a significant investment of time and money. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the financial burden. See this page for several types of financial assistance are available to graduate students.
  • Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS): UW Libraries offers GFIS specifically for current and admitted graduate students looking for funding. Visit the website to learn about drop-in hours, or start today by using the GFIS online guide.
  • Graduate School Fellowship List: Compilation of popular funding opportunities. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and we encourage you to conduct a broader search based on your field and research interests.
  • School of Public Health Funding Information: Check in with the UW School of Public Health website where you will find opportunities for funding in the form of internships, RA/TA, volunteer and fellowships.
  • International Student Services (ISS): Provides information and resources for international students.
  • UW Office of Student Financial Aid: Awards and coordinates the major financial aid loan programs for students and need-based institutional grant programs.
  • UW Graduate School Office of Fellowships and Awards: Provides information on obtaining fellowships, assistantships, and awards.
  • UW International Student Tuition Waivers: Supports international students from countries under-represented at the UW and students sponsored by international education programs (e.g., Fulbright).
    • Departments apply on the student's behalf.
    • Students in fee-based programs are not eligible for this waiver.
    • Waiver covers tuition and fees (except for the International Fee, Tech Fee, and Transit Pass) and may be awarded for up to three quarters.
Fellowships