Cost of doctorate in cognitive science and neuroscience?

[tposside]

I'm a freshman in college at a top 15 liberal arts college. I'll be about 14.5k in debt when I graduate if everything goes according to plan.

I'm planning to major in cognitive science and I figured I should check out some of my post-grad options. I know there are some fields in which grad school costs a lot and some in which tuition is generally lower. Where do cognitive science and neuroscience fit into the picture? I searched around for an answer before I came here and couldn't really find a satisfactory one.

I realize it probably depends a lot on your transcript and where you go, but I'm asking about the average cog sci student and neuroscience student compared to other fields.

[Gvh]

Well, if you're thinking PhD most reputable programs in the U.S. will offer you funding which includes tuition remission and a livable stipend. There is a lot of info on this board about different funding packages and situations, and some people do choose to attend a school even if they're not offered funding, but most people would suggest against this option for many reasons.  In the end, it depends on the person!

[Butterfly_effect]

If you're going for neuroscience or cognitive science, a PhD should not cost you anything. They will pay you (sometimes in exchange for teaching). Some people may argue otherwise, but I say never ever pay for your PhD. 

[biotechie]

Getting into graduate school is competitive, so it is good that you're thinking of this, now!

If you go into a truly neuroscience program, more in biomedical sciences/ genetics/ molecular biology side of things, you're nearly certain to be funded. It is common for non-science programs to require you to pay your way, and in those programs, you can also have outside jobs. This is not so in the life science (and other sciences, too). Since our thesis and graduation is contingent on a body of research that we generate, we are paid a living stipend and have our tuition waived to complete our degree. This is because doing research (not even counting class and time) is a full time job in itself, so we cannot hold other jobs at the same time as we need to be in the lab working on experiments. However, I find my lab work, which now includes mentoring undergraduates such as yourself, highly rewarding.

A word of advice from someone who has been there and started doing research as a freshman:

Do your best in school, and keep your grades up as high as you can. The closer you can get to that elusive 4.0 GPA, the better. Make sure you take organic chemistry, molecular biology, physiology, statistics, calculus, and any research "methods" classes your school offers. In addition, since you're still a freshman, you have time to really make sure you will be ready. Volunteer in a lab a few hours per week to see if you can get some research experience, and then try to get hired as a technician. Having research experience, especially throughout your undergraduate career, will help make you a stronger applicant later on, and it will help you really decide if a career in research, medicine, teaching, etc. is what you want.