What Is Grad School? Masters vs PhD
- Danielle Slauter
- May 18
- 10 min read
Written by Danielle Slauter
Ready for round 2 of college—what is grad school?
Thinking about grad school but not totally sure what it actually involves? You’re not alone.
From master’s degrees and PhDs to funding, applications and career goals, grad school can feel like a whole new world after college. The good news? It doesn’t have to be confusing.
Whether you’re planning your next academic move or just exploring your options, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about grad school in 2026, including how long it takes, how much it costs, how funding works and whether it’s actually worth it.
And don’t forget to read through our college dorm room essentials guide to make sure you’re ready for college living.
Jump to:
What is graduate school vs college?
How long is grad school?
Is grad school worth it?
Is online grad school worth it?
How much does grad school cost?
When to apply for grad school?
Common grad school interview questions
Master's vs PhD
Types of master’s degrees
Types of doctoral degrees
What is a graduate program?
Writing a grad school statement of purpose
What is graduate school vs college?
Graduate school is a degree program that will award you a higher education past your undergraduate degree. The two most common programs are a master’s and a PhD.
A master's degree is a specific academic degree earned after a bachelor’s degree. It’s for individuals who are ready to demonstrate mastery of their specific field of study. You can go straight into a master’s program after earning your bachelor’s, but some students choose to take a few years off before returning to get their master’s.
A PhD is a doctoral degree for students after they have earned their master’s degree. It’s a globally recognized academic degree awarded to students who have submitted a thesis at the highest possible academic level. There is a lot of study and research involved in getting a PhD — it’s not for the faint of heart and requires a lot of dedication.
The curriculum is more rigorous than that of an undergraduate degree, as it is an advanced academic degree. You would normally pursue the degree in whatever your undergraduate degree was in, but there are certain exceptions to this.
College refers to undergraduate study and is the next step after graduating high school (if you wish to pursue further education).
College | Graduate School |
|---|---|
Studying for an undergraduate degree/bachelor’s degree | Studying a master’s or PhD |
Takes 3-4 years | Can take anywhere between 1-6 years |
Coursework focused | Research focused |
Broad learnings | More in-depth learning |
You should also read up on public vs private colleges to see what’s right for you.
How long is grad school?
The timeline for grad school varies by program. A typical graduate program can last anywhere between three and seven years.
An average master’s length is about 30 to 60 credits, which is why it takes generally two to three years, on average. The average length for professional doctorates is four to six years, with some PhD programs taking four to seven years. That being said, the doctoral students spend a median of 5.7 years in their doctoral program and a median of 7.2 years in grad school.The length of the program also depends on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.
Obviously, you’ll get done faster as a full-time student, but you can potentially work to help with the cost of a master’s if you work and only enroll part-time.
Some schools allow undergraduates to enroll in a five-year master’s program in order to accelerate the timeline upon receiving a graduate degree. For others, you’ll have to reapply and start at the beginning of the program in order to earn your degree.
If you’re interested in psychology, we’ve got the best colleges for psychology in 2025.
Is grad school worth it?
Grad school can open doors to higher salaries, specialised careers and research opportunities, but it’s also a serious investment of time and money. For some careers, a graduate degree is essential. Think:
Law
Medicine
Psychology
Academia
Research careers.
In other industries, experience might matter more than another qualification. That’s why it’s important to think about:
Your long-term career goals
Expected salary increases
Student debt
Work-life balance
Whether your industry values postgraduate education
A good rule? Don’t apply to grad school just because you’re unsure what to do next. Apply because the degree supports where you actually want to go.
Is online grad school worth it?
Online graduate programs are more popular than ever – and they’re not automatically “less valuable” than in-person degrees. Online study can be great if you:
Need flexibility.
Want to work while studying.
Need lower living costs.
Prefer learning remotely.
Some online master’s programs are also significantly cheaper than traditional campus-based options.
That said, in-person learning may still offer stronger networking, research access and campus opportunities depending on your field.
How much does grad school cost?
According to recent education data, the average total cost of graduate school in the US is now around $43,000 per year once tuition, housing and study materials are included.
How much Grad school costs varies widely between schools and programs. But, on average, grad school costs around $43,620 per year—inclusive of tuition, housing and course materials.
The average cost of grad school tuition and fees is roughly $22,430 per year, with some two-year programs ranging from $36,000 - $93,000. Meanwhile, some doctoral programs can cost around $49,500 per year and $198,000 - $396,000 over 4-8 years. It all depends on where you study, the institution type, the field of study, and the length of the program. For example, some of the best universities in New York will be more expensive than in-state tuition.
As much as some of those figures look really scary, there is, however, financial aid available for graduate students, too. There are scholarships, loans, and federal aid available. But remember, some master’s programs are fully funded! Obviously, these programs are highly competitive, and they attract more applicants than they can accept.
However, whilst some programs accept only a small cohort, others may admit dozens of funded students; the key point is that funded spots are limited relative to demand.
If you're interested in applying for a fully funded master’s program, you should research funding opportunities across different colleges and increase your options.
When to apply for grad school?
Most grad school application deadlines typically run from November to through to January, and some of those programs – especially those starting in spring or summer – might have earlier or later deadlines. If you're planning to apply, make sure to double–check each program’s website for precise dates.
You should generally apply to graduate school about one year before the intended start date. Below is a rough timeline of what you can do in the lead-up to grad school.
Do you still need the GRE?
Not always! Over the last few years, more graduate programs have become test-optional, especially after the pandemic. Some schools still require GRE or GMAT scores, particularly for:
Business school
Competitive STEM programs
Research-heavy degrees
But many universities now place more weight on:
GPA
Research experience
Work experience
Recommendation letters
Your statement of purpose
Always check the individual program requirements before applying.
Typical grad school application timeline
Spring-Summer (1.5 years before start date)
Research programs and faculty
Prepare for standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, etc., if required)
Start networking with potential advisors
Late Summer-Early Fall (1 year before start date)
Take standardized tests (if needed)
Finalize your list of schools
Reach out for letters of recommendation
Begin drafting your statement of purpose
Fall-Early Winter (Sept-Dec, 1 year before start date)
Most application deadlines are December-January
Submit applications before deadlines
Spring (6 months before start date)
Receive acceptance letters (March-April)
Visit schools if possible
Decide by April 15 (common decision deadline for funded programs)
Summer (Before Grad School Starts)
Secure housing, funding, and finalize paperwork
Common grad school interview questions
Graduate school interview questions can range from a variety of topics. A lot of them are questions you’ve likely been asked when interviewing for a job, or even if you had to interview for your undergraduate college.
Here are some common grad school interview questions you might be asked:
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you choose to apply to our school/program?
Why should we accept you?
What will you contribute to our program?
Why are you interested in this field of study?
What are the major issues in the field?
How have you prepared yourself for a career in this field?
What are your career goals?
What are your research interests?
Tell me about a time when you failed.
Describe your greatest accomplishment.
Where else are you applying?
What are your hobbies or interests?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Masters vs PhD
A master’s degree helps you deepen your expertise in a subject. A PhD is about creating original research.
In most cases, you’ll need an undergrad before undertaking a master’s; however, sometimes you can go straight from undergrad to PhD without a master's degree. This might depend on a few factors, though, such as where and what you choose to study as well as your academic background. PhDs are very tough, so having a master’s beforehand might help you feel more confident and prepared.
Master’s degrees will delve deeper into the field of study, giving you more specialized knowledge than an undergraduate degree.
A PhD primarily involves extensive independent research in your subject/topic, which leads to in the creation of a Thesis. PhDs aim to train individuals how to teach themselves things to the point of figuring out what might be missing about the subject and/or discovering new areas of it.
Master’s degree: dives deeper into the subject.
PhD: you become the 'scientist' of the subject, a creator of new knowledge for the subject.
Types of Master’s Degrees
The type of master’s degree you attain is dependent on your field of study.
Below are some of the types of master’s degrees and some of the disciplines that come under each.
Degree | Disciplines |
Master of Arts (MA) |
|
Master of Science (MS/Sc) |
|
Master of Engineering (MEng) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
|
Not sure what to choose? Check out our college major guide if you’re wondering 'what should I major in?'.
Types of Doctoral Degrees
Like master’s and undergraduate degrees, there are lots of different types of doctoral degrees.
Degree | Disciplines | |
PhD (research-oriented) |
| |
Professional Doctorate (application-oriented) |
|
We’ve also got the best pre-med schools in 2025 for you to check out.
In summary:
Type of degree | Best for | Length of time | What it includes |
Master’s degree |
| One to three years |
|
PhD |
| Four to eight years |
|
What is a graduate program?
A graduate program is an in-depth study and exploration of a specific field. These are pursued by post-secondary students who have already earned their bachelor’s or undergraduate degree equivalent.
Your graduate program is likely going to be in the field that your bachelor’s degree is in, but there are exceptions to this as well. Most programs will allow you to apply to a field outside of your degree as long as you meet certain academic requirements.
For example, you may have studied literature for your undergraduate and now want to delve into creative writing for your master’s degree.
Writing a grad school statement of purpose
Your statement of purpose is a way to market yourself to your prospective graduate program. It’s an academic statement that is not a personal essay like you might have written for your bachelor’s.
Your statement requirements will likely fall into one of the following categories:
General, comprehensive statement
Allows the most freedom in terms of what you write about
Often used for medical or law school applications
Specific responses to questions
Required to answer a specific question presented on the application
Often used of business and all other graduate programs
Make sure to answer the questions that are asked of you. Really concentrate on your opening paragraph, find an angle, and be as specific as you can. You want to get to the point as soon as possible to keep your application panel engaged from the start.
Here are some tips to help you write a strong Statement of Purpose for graduate school:
Start with a Hook: Open with an engaging introduction that reflects your passion for the field.
Be Clear and Concise: Stick to the point and avoid unnecessary details. Aim for 1–2 pages.
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use specific examples to illustrate your experiences, skills, and achievements.
Highlight Your Goals: Clearly state your academic and career aspirations and how this program fits in.
Connect to the Program: Research the faculty, courses, and resources, and explain why this program is the right fit.
Demonstrate Growth: Address challenges you’ve overcome and how they’ve shaped your academic journey.
Use a Professional Tone: Be formal but personal, and avoid clichés and overly dramatic language.
Proofread and Edit: Have others review your SOP to ensure clarity, grammar, and coherence.
Grad school isn’t the right path for everyone – and that’s okay.
But if you’re passionate about a subject, aiming for a specialised career or ready to level up your qualifications, it can be an amazing investment in yourself.
The key is choosing a program that genuinely supports your goals, budget and lifestyle.
Take your time researching programs, funding options and career outcomes before applying. Future you will thank you for it.
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