During the spring 2002, a total of 216 graduate students recently completed a survey to provide better data on the living expenses incurred by graduate students at Binghamton University. Participants were not necessarily supported by any university or federal aid (assistantships, fellowships, loans, etc.).
Background Information on Participants
Participants by Graduate Level
| Graduate Level | # | % of Total |
| Master's, less than 24 credits | 60 | 28% |
| Master's, 24 or more credits | 49 | 23% |
| PhD doing coursework | 25 | 12% |
| PhD coursework complete; predissertation | 13 | 6% |
| PhD ABD | 22 | 10% |
| Not Answered | 47 | 22% |
| Marital Status of Participants | # | % of Total |
| Married/living with significant other | 52 | 24% |
| Not married | 164 | 76% |
| Marital Status of Participants | # | % of Total |
| Married/living with significant other | 52 | 24% |
| Not married | 164 | 76% |
| Family Status of Participants | # | % of Total |
| Participants with children | 15 | 7% |
| Participants with no children | 201 | 93% |
| Where Do They Live? | # | % of Total | Average Commute to Campus (in miles) |
| Binghamton | 126 | 58% | 4 |
| Endicott | 5 | 2% | 6 |
| Endwell | 6 | 3% | 8 |
| Johnson City | 45 | 21% | 3.5 |
| Vestal | 23 | 11% | 2.5 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 0% | 50 |
| Other | 10 | 5% | 36 |
| How Do Participants Spend Their Summers? | # | % of Total |
| Taking classes | 11 | 5% |
| Employment | 110 | 51% |
| Doing research | 68 | 31% |
| Other | 27 | 13% |
| Participants by University Funding | # | Average Academic Year* Stipend | % of Total |
| Participants receiving monthly stipend for full academic year | 144 | $9,497 | 67% |
| Participants receiving monthly stipend for either fall or spring semester | 23 | $4,444 | 11% |
| Participants not receiving monthly stipend | 49 | N.A. | 23% |
| Received Tuition Scholarship? | # | % |
| Yes | 159 | 74% |
| No | 55 | 24.5% |
| No response | 2 | 1.5% |
| Federal Loan Status | # | Avg Amt of 01-02 Loans | % of Total |
| Receiving federal loans | 133 | $7,741 | 62% |
| Not receiving federal loans | 81 | – | 37% |
| No response | 2 | – | 1% |
| Annual Books and Fees | Per 2 Semesters |
| Fees | $716 |
| Books | $750 |
| Average Monthly Costs (Married Participants [n=52]) |
# of Respondents Who Provided An Amount |
Average Cost |
| Rent | 52 | $463 |
| Utilities | 49 | $109 |
| Phone | 52 | $38 |
| Long distance calling | 52 | $37 |
| Food | 52 | $264 |
| Personal care items | 50 | $67 |
| Insurance | 46 | $42 |
| Healthcare not covered by insurance | 40 | $36 |
| transportation | 48 | $47 |
| Car Maintenance | 45 | $207 |
| Childcare | 7 | $109 |
| Average Monthly Costs (Single Participants [n=164]) |
# of Respondents Who Provided An Amount |
Average Cost |
| Rent | 160 | $318 |
| Utilities | 127 | $65 |
| Phone | 162 | $30 |
| Long distance calling | 147 | $32 |
| Food | 160 | $167 |
| Personal care items | 160 | $44 |
| Insurance | 92 | $32 |
| Healthcare not covered by insurance | 57 | $30 |
| transportation | 164 | $27 |
| Car maintenance | 109 | $140 |
| Childcare | 2 | $350 |
"Other" Expenses
A total of 111 graduate participants (51%) reported that they have additional expenses beyond those specifically mentioned above. These participants indicated that they spend an average of $130/month for costs such as research expenses (travel, photocopying, paper and supplies, etc.), conference attendance, clothing, computer expenses, internet service, gym dues, recreation/entertainment, parking fees, professional dues, home/apartment insurance, property upkeep (repairs), and property taxes.
