Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of American independence but also home to world-renowned universities that invest deeply in their graduate students. For aspiring scholars, the city offers multiple doctoral programs and one tuition-free conservatory where funding is guaranteed. Below is a comprehensive list of 20 fully funded programs in Philadelphia and its metro areas.

1) University of Pennsylvania — PhD in Arts & Sciences

Most Penn PhD programs provide full funding for 4–5 years, including tuition, fees, health insurance, and a living stipend.

2) Penn — Philosophy (PhD)

Admitted philosophy doctoral students receive a five-year package that covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend.

3) Penn — Psychology (PhD)

Students are guaranteed five years of support, which includes full tuition coverage and a competitive stipend.

4) Penn — English (PhD)

Every admitted student receives identical funding: tuition, fees, health insurance, and a stipend for five years.

5) Penn — Engineering (PhD)

Doctoral students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science typically receive full tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.

6) Penn — Biomedical Graduate Studies (PhD)

This umbrella program for the life sciences guarantees funding for tuition, stipend, fees, and health insurance throughout the degree.

7) Penn — School of Nursing (PhD)

Nursing PhD students are supported for four full years with tuition, stipend, fees, and health insurance.

8) Penn — Graduate School of Education (PhD)

PhD students in education receive a full scholarship plus stipend and health insurance for the first four years.

9) Temple University — College of Liberal Arts (PhD)

Doctoral students receive teaching or research assistantships with stipends, health insurance, and tuition remission.

10) Temple — Fox School of Business (PhD)

PhD students are supported with a nine-month stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance.

11) Temple — Chemistry (PhD)

Graduate students receive tuition waivers, health insurance, and stipends through teaching and research assistantships.

12) Temple — Psychology (PhD)

Doctoral students are offered stipends with full tuition remission and health benefits.

13) Temple — Graduate Fellowships and Dissertation Grants

University-wide doctoral fellowships provide stipends and tuition coverage for at least four years, with additional support available for dissertation completion.

14) Drexel University — LeBow College of Business (PhD)

PhD students are funded for five years, including tuition, stipend, and conference travel allowances.

15) Drexel — Dornsife School of Public Health (PhD)

Around 95% of PhD students in public health receive tuition remission, a stipend, and health insurance.

16) Drexel — Doctoral Tuition Support

Funded doctoral students receive university tuition support in addition to assistantships and fellowships.

17) Thomas Jefferson University — Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

All full-time PhD students receive full financial support: stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance.

18) Thomas Jefferson — MD/PhD

The dual degree program provides full funding for tuition, fees, and a stipend throughout the course of study.

19) Villanova University — Philosophy (PhD)

Located in the Philadelphia metro area, Villanova offers up to six years of funding with tuition remission and stipends for philosophy doctoral students.

20) Curtis Institute of Music

This world-class conservatory has been tuition-free since 1928. All admitted students receive full-tuition scholarships, regardless of need.

Note: check each department’s requirements and deadlines carefully, since most programs guarantee funding for 4–6 years, often through fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships.