# Admissions| Information for Applicants

**Source**: https://graduate.rice.edu/admissions/whygetphd
**Parent**: https://graduate.rice.edu/

## **Why get a Ph.D.?**

Why get a Doctor of Philosophy? By pursuing and obtaining a Ph.D., you'll be able to explore a variety of interesting and challenging problems facing humanity. You'll become an expert in your field - and that expertise is in demand. With a Ph.D., you'll be in control of your own destiny, armed with a degree that will allow you to succeed in high-level positions in virtually every career path, be it academia, industry, government or elsewhere, while [pushing the boundaries of human knowledge](http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/).

Qualified doctoral students often receive departmental stipends of, on average, $36,000-$40,000 per year to cover living expenses. That means you can earn your Ph.D. and get paid for it!

Still wondering why you should you get a Ph.D.? Let Rice Professor C. Fred Higgs tell you in the video below, or read our [graduate student blog](https://graduate.rice.edu/grad-school-tips-blog) to get a student perspective on pursuing the Ph.D.!

[APPLY NOW](http://gradapply.rice.edu)