These funding packages usually cover tuition, fees, health insurance, and provide a stipend to support living expenses. Below are ten California universities where many graduate students can secure full funding.
1) Stanford University: Stanford offers generous multi-year funding packages that combine fellowships and assistantships. Graduate students typically receive tuition coverage and a living stipend guaranteed for the first five years, ensuring stability as they progress through their programs.
2) California Institute of Technology (Caltech): All Caltech graduate (Ph.D) students are fully funded. This includes tuition remission and a competitive annual stipend, supported through a combination of fellowships, research grants, and teaching assignments.
3) University of California, Berkeley: At UC Berkeley, graduate students who serve as Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) or TAs at qualifying levels receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and fee coverage. Students usually receive multi-year support letters upon admission.
4) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA provides funding for graduate students through TAs, GSRs, and fellowships. These roles include tuition remission, fee waivers, and health insurance. After advancing to candidacy, doctoral students benefit from a complete waiver of nonresident tuition for up to three years.
5) University of California, San Diego (UCSD): UCSD supports graduate students with guaranteed multi-year funding offers in many departments. Teaching and research positions include tuition coverage, health insurance, and partial to full fee remission, making graduate study financially manageable.
6) University of California, Davis: UC Davis doctoral students with GSR or TA appointments enjoy full tuition and fee remission, plus health insurance. After advancing to candidacy, international and out-of-state students are exempt from nonresident tuition for several years.
7) University of California, Irvine (UCI): Graduate students at UCI who hold TA or GSR appointments at 25% or more receive complete tuition and fee coverage, including health insurance. Research assistants may also have their nonresident tuition waived, ensuring broad support.
8) University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB): UCSB’s graduate assistantships provide full fee remission, health insurance, and tuition coverage. Doctoral students also benefit from a full waiver of nonresident supplemental tuition for up to three years after advancing to candidacy.
9) University of Southern California (USC): Most graduate programs here receive guarantee full funding that includes tuition remission, a stipend, and health insurance. Funding comes from a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
10) University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC): Graduate students at UCSC who hold research or teaching appointments receive full tuition and fee waivers, health insurance, and nonresident tuition coverage. Many departments also provide multi-year funding commitments for Ph.D. students.
