Rice vs USC

[euronymous_oystein]

Hi everyone!

 

I am between these  two schools. Both POIs are nearly the same, so the last thing that I would like to consider is the stipend.

The offer from USC is 32k$ and the offer from Rice is 28k$. I know that the cost of living in Houston is way lower  than in LA, but can anyone inform me about the federal income taxes in these two cities for graduate stipends? Or maybe send me a typical paycheck.

 

Thank you very much in advance!

[strugglebus2k17]

Hey!

I had this exact question. I messaged a grad student at Baylor College of Medicine to figure out what their after tax stipend ends up being. For BCM, they get $32k per year. After tax, they get about $1,100 every two weeks, in a year, that amounts to around $28,600 that you would take home after taxes.

I'm from the Houston area and was able to tour some of the graduate student apartments. They live VERY comfortable lives. the average one bed room around the West University/medical center area will be around 900-$1100. The $1100 ones are quite nice, washer dryer connections AND units included. They all seemed to have higher standards of living than other schools I've visited. Plus many of them were able to have savings accounts.

I'm not sure what program you're applying to but Rice University is an excellent institution.

[there_is_a_so_long_wait]

I say USC.  OP... which do you prefer personally?

[euronymous_oystein]

11 hours ago, strugglebus2k17 said:

Hey!

I had this exact question. I messaged a grad student at Baylor College of Medicine to figure out what their after tax stipend ends up being. For BCM, they get $32k per year. After tax, they get about $1,100 every two weeks, in a year, that amounts to around $28,600 that you would take home after taxes.

I'm from the Houston area and was able to tour some of the graduate student apartments. They live VERY comfortable lives. the average one bed room around the West University/medical center area will be around 900-$1100. The $1100 ones are quite nice, washer dryer connections AND units included. They all seemed to have higher standards of living than other schools I've visited. Plus many of them were able to have savings accounts.

I'm not sure what program you're applying to but Rice University is an excellent institution.

Wow, I didn't expect so high salaries from BCM. So there are taxes in Houston, too, right? Because I thought that there is no income  tax in Texas... But it is very good news, exactly what I expected, very  comfortable life.  I have applied for Chemistry, do y ou have an opinion maybe?

7 hours ago, there_is_a_so_long_wait said:

I say USC.  OP... which do you prefer personally?

Why do you say USC? What is it about it that you like so much?

[strugglebus2k17]

4 hours ago, athan892 said:

Wow, I didn't expect so high salaries from BCM. So there are taxes in Houston, too, right? Because I thought that there is no income  tax in Texas... But it is very good news, exactly what I expected, very  comfortable life.  I have applied for Chemistry, do y ou have an opinion maybe?

Why do you say USC? What is it about it that you like so much?

There are no taxes in texas but I think the federal income tax still applies. It will be slightly lower because it's taxed differently for graduate students (I think but not totally sure). I have friends that are at UThealth and their stipend is 29k in Houston. They also live super comfortable life styles. I wouldn't be worried about the stipend. Food and lodging in Houston are quite low and affordable. Graduate students seem to be living quite cushy lifestyles.

I have a younger brother that will be a freshman undergraduate at Rice University next year. The science department is strong. A lot of them do collaborative research with Baylor College of Medicine and other schools in the Texas Medical Center. I think officially, Rice is part of the TMC. There are some professors at BCM that also have appointments at Rice.

[euronymous_oystein]

1 hour ago, strugglebus2k17 said:

There are no taxes in texas but I think the federal income tax still applies. It will be slightly lower because it's taxed differently for graduate students (I think but not totally sure). I have friends that are at UThealth and their stipend is 29k in Houston. They also live super comfortable life styles. I wouldn't be worried about the stipend. Food and lodging in Houston are quite low and affordable. Graduate students seem to be living quite cushy lifestyles.

I have a younger brother that will be a freshman undergraduate at Rice University next year. The science department is strong. A lot of them do collaborative research with Baylor College of Medicine and other schools in the Texas Medical Center. I think officially, Rice is part of the TMC. There are some professors at BCM that also have appointments at Rice.

Oh, I see. Thank you very much, good news!

[there_is_a_so_long_wait]

USC is very wealthy... they have a lot of resources and connection to what they call "Trojan family".  "GO BIG or go home" imo

[euronymous_oystein]

12 hours ago, there_is_a_so_long_wait said:

USC is very wealthy... they have a lot of resources and connection to what they call "Trojan family".  "GO BIG or go home" imo

Don't you think that a smaller  university might be better?

[there_is_a_so_long_wait]

7 hours ago, athan892 said:

Don't you think that a smaller  university might be better?

hmm... you have a point there... in terms of education, yes, it might

i guess it depends on what do u want to do after PhD?

[euronymous_oystein]

1 hour ago, there_is_a_so_long_wait said:

hmm... you have a point there... in terms of education, yes, it might

i guess it depends on what do u want to do after PhD?

Umm, well, I am thinking about the acedemia in  general.

[there_is_a_so_long_wait]

4 hours ago, athan892 said:

Umm, well, I am thinking about the acedemia in  general.

i still think USC has more to offer in that case... especially in the west coast

[Bayesian1701]

I am a native Texas and I wanted to clarify taxes.  Texas has no state income tax but they do have a sales tax of 8.25%.  A lot of what you would probably spend your stipend on (food except like candy and soda, rent,  basic necessities) would be tax-free.  But clothing, books,  junk food, and alcohol (I think it's taxed differently but I don't drink) would be taxed at 8.25%.   Even considering this you would have a lot more money is Houston because your rent would be way cheaper.  Check the academic placements for the specific programs since it would probably vary which was better in that regard.  

[euronymous_oystein]

19 hours ago, there_is_a_so_long_wait said:

i still think USC has more to offer in that case... especially in the west coast

Oh, I see now.  Thanks for the tip!

17 hours ago, Bayesian1701 said:

I am a native Texas and I wanted to clarify taxes.  Texas has no state income tax but they do have a sales tax of 8.25%.  A lot of what you would probably spend your stipend on (food except like candy and soda, rent,  basic necessities) would be tax-free.  But clothing, books,  junk food, and alcohol (I think it's taxed differently but I don't drink) would be taxed at 8.25%.   Even considering this you would have a lot more money is Houston because your rent would be way cheaper.  Check the academic placements for the specific programs since it would probably vary which was better in that regard.  

Oh, finally I understood. So yes, after all Rice's stipend turns out to be way higher.