- 1.Hakia's analysis of the best ux design doctoral degree programs reveals that uX Design PhD graduates in industry research earn $9,9 median salary (BLS, 2024), while tenure-track faculty earn $130,000,9-$9,9.
- 2.Our top-ranked doctoral programs are University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Davis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology—selected for research output, funding, and graduate placement.
- 3.Most PhD programs are fully funded: tuition waiver + $25,000-40,000/year stipend. You should not pay for a PhD.
- 4.Average time to degree is 5-6 years, though it varies by research area and advisor.
- 5.60% of ux design PhD graduates enter industry research (Google, Meta, Microsoft Research); 40% pursue academic careers.
Source: A ux design PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
Why Pursue a UX Design PhD?
A PhD is the terminal research degree in ux design—required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Web and Digital Interface Designers with advanced degrees can earn $192,180 or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
- Aspiring academics: Tenure-track faculty positions require a PhD
- Research scientists: Industry labs (Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI) recruit PhDs for cutting-edge research
- Deep specialists: Those who want to push the boundaries of ux design
- Intellectually curious: People who find fulfillment in solving hard, unsolved problems
The PhD Value Proposition
- Fully funded: No tuition + $25K-45K/year stipend (you're paid to learn)
- Research freedom: Work on problems that interest you with expert guidance
- Career options: Both academic ($100K-200K faculty) and lucrative industry paths ($150K-400K+ research scientist)
- Expertise: Become a world expert in ux design
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
Best UX Design PhD Programs - Top 10
University of California-Santa Barbara
UCSB CS is top-ranked for programming languages, verification, and design research.
University of California-Santa Barbara UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Barbara as the #1 in ux design degree program.
University of California-Santa Barbara's UX Design program graduates 5 students annually with a 90% graduation rate. Santa Barbara with LA tech access
Hakia Insight: University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn $75,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Santa Barbara with LA tech access
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Apple, Netflix, Adobe
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of California-Davis
UC Davis CS excels in data visualization and HCI research with strong agricultural technology applications.
University of California-Davis UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Davis as the #2 in ux design degree program.
University of California-Davis's UX Design program graduates 9 students annually with a 91% graduation rate. Near Silicon Valley for innovation trends
Hakia Insight: Students at University of California-Davis benefit from active collaborations with Google and Apple, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Near Silicon Valley for innovation trends
- •Collaboration opportunities with industry
- •Access to latest technology developments
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Apple, Intel, agtech
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is globally #1 for engineering and computer science with unmatched research impact and industry connections.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #3 in ux design degree program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers comprehensive UX Design programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Boston tech hub and biotech cluster
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Boston tech hub and biotech cluster
- •Direct access to leading tech companies' Boston offices and research centers
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, top faculty positions
Admissions
Northwestern University
Northwestern CS offers strong HCI, learning sciences, and interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Northwestern University UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks Northwestern University as the #4 in ux design degree program.
Northwestern University's UX Design program graduates 5 students annually with a 90% graduation rate. Access to Chicago design and tech community
Hakia Insight: Northwestern University graduates earn $105,180, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Human-computer interaction and design research
Social computing systems to support innovation
Digital media and Latinx communities
Media psychology and social influence
Collaborative technologies and systems
Data science applications in community contexts
Computational approaches to journalism
Network science in community settings
Social media research and design
Location Advantages
- •Access to Chicago design and tech community
- •Proximity to major corporations like Boeing and Abbott
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
3M, Motorola, Google, IDEO, BCG
Admissions
New York University
NYU's merged CS PhD combines Courant's mathematical rigor with Tandon's engineering applications.
New York University UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks New York University as the #5 in ux design degree program.
New York University offers comprehensive UX Design programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Major NYC presence of Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google and Meta, New York University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Computer Intelligence, Learning, Vision, and Robotics
Mathematical foundations of data science
Cognitive science and machine learning
Machine learning research
Statistical methods and theory
Location Advantages
- •Major NYC presence of Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft
- •Access to leading design consultancies (IDEO, Pentagram, Huge, Wistia)
- •Proximity to media, publishing, and consumer tech companies
- •Dense startup ecosystem in Brooklyn and Manhattan
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Meta, Microsoft, finance tech
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Georgia
UGA CS provides research opportunities in emerging tech fields with strong state university support.
University of Georgia UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Georgia as the #6 in ux design degree program.
University of Georgia's UX Design program graduates 7 students annually with a 95% graduation rate. Athens GA
Hakia Insight: University of Georgia's industry network — including regional tech companies and research partners — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Athens GA
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
tech companies, research positions, academic
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
UIUC CS is consistently top-5 nationally with groundbreaking research in systems, theory, and AI.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the #7 in ux design degree program.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's UX Design program graduates 5 students annually with a 90% graduation rate. Champaign-Urbana with Chicago access
Hakia Insight: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $109,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Champaign-Urbana with Chicago access
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
JP Morgan Chase & Co, Walmart Global Tech, Boston Red Sox, Lyra Health
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
The University of Texas at Dallas
UT Dallas is a rising research university with strong ties to Dallas tech industry.
The University of Texas at Dallas UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Dallas as the #8 in ux design degree program.
The University of Texas at Dallas's UX Design program graduates 7 students annually with a 77% graduation rate. Located in Dallas region - rated #1 'Best City for Jobs' by Forbes
Hakia Insight: The University of Texas at Dallas graduates earn $5,900,096,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Transdisciplinary research at the intersection of art and science, user experience design
Three-dimensional design and modeling
Audio and transmedia production
Animation research and production
Synthesis and emerging media
Research lab activities
Motion graphics research
Narrative and storytelling systems
Public interactive media
Play and game-based interactions
Extended Reality (XR) research for aerospace maintenance
Art, ecology, and rematerialization
Location Advantages
- •Located in Dallas region - rated #1 'Best City for Jobs' by Forbes
- •Easy access to employers and internship opportunities
- •Large and supportive alumni population
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Dell Technologies, Capital One, Sabre, Cisco Systems, AT&T
Admissions
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
UNC Charlotte serves Charlotte's growing tech sector with research-focused doctoral programs.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte UX Design Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #9 in ux design degree program.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte's UX Design program graduates 13 students annually with a 76% graduation rate. Charlotte NC fintech hub
Hakia Insight: University of North Carolina at Charlotte leverages partnerships with Bank of America and regional tech companies to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Charlotte NC fintech hub
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Bank of America, fintech, regional employers
Admissions
Best UX Design PhD Programs - Top 10 — Complete Program Data
#1. University of California-Santa Barbara UX Design Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Barbara as the #1 in ux design degree program. Location: Santa Barbara, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 100.0
What makes University of California-Santa Barbara stand out: UCSB CS is top-ranked for programming languages, verification, and design research.
Hakia Insight: University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn $75,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Program Overview: University of California-Santa Barbara offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UCSB CS offers PhD research with strengths in programming languages, verification, and HCI.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in UX Design
Research Labs: PL Lab; Four Eyes Lab; Verification Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Netflix, Adobe | Common Roles: UX Designer, Product Designer, Design Researcher
Admissions:
Accreditations: Google UX Design Professional Certificate, Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification
#2. University of California-Davis UX Design Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Davis as the #2 in ux design degree program. Location: Davis, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 98.6
What makes University of California-Davis stand out: UC Davis CS excels in data visualization and HCI research with strong agricultural technology applications.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of California-Davis benefit from active collaborations with Google and Apple, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: University of California-Davis offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UC Davis CS offers PhD research with strengths in visualization, security, and theoretical computer science.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in UX Design
Research Labs: VIDI Labs; Security Lab; Theory Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Intel, agtech companies
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Intel, agtech
Notable Faculty: Simon Sadler (Department Chair); Brett Snyder (Graduate Program Chair); Jae Yong Suk (Department Chair); Jiayi Young (Design)
Admissions:
#3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology UX Design Program
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #3 in ux design degree program. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $59,750/year | Score: 91.4
What makes Massachusetts Institute of Technology stand out: MIT is globally #1 for engineering and computer science with unmatched research impact and industry connections.
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. MIT EECS offers PhD research in electrical engineering and computer science through multiple interdisciplinary programs.
Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science or Engineering (HCI electives) (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (HCI focus) (5-6 years)
Research Labs: CSAIL; MIT Media Lab; LIDS; RLE
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Meta
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, top faculty positions
Notable Faculty: Pattie Maes (Human-computer interaction and wearable computing); Deb Roy (Human-centered artificial intelligence and cognitive science)
Admissions:
#4. Northwestern University UX Design Program
Hakia ranks Northwestern University as the #4 in ux design degree program. Location: Evanston, IL | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,887/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 89.5
What makes Northwestern University stand out: Northwestern CS offers strong HCI, learning sciences, and interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Hakia Insight: Northwestern University graduates earn $105,180, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Program Overview: Northwestern University offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. Northwestern CS PhD focuses on training researchers with involvement in research from the first quarter. Students choose from 5 research tracks.
Degree Programs: MS; Master of Information Design & Strategy; Engineering Design Innovation (EDI); Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²); Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing and Design Engineering (MaDE) (4 years); Segal Design Certificate; Digital Media: Behavior and Design (4 years)
Research Labs: Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design - Human-computer interaction and design research; Delta Lab - Social computing systems to support innovation; Center for Latinx Digital Media - Digital media and Latinx communities; Center of Media Psychology & Social Influence (COM-PSI) - Media psychology and social influence; CollabLab - Collaborative technologies and systems; Community Data Science Collective - Data science applications in community contexts; Computational Journalism Lab - Computational approaches to journalism; Science of Networks in Communities Lab (SONIC) - Network science in community settings; Social Media Lab - Social media research and design
Industry Partners: Motorola, Google, Lenovo, Boston Consulting Group, IDEO, McDonald's, P&G, Kellogg's, Symantec, Feeding America, 3M, Walgreens, TIAA
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: 3M, Motorola, Google, IDEO, BCG, TIAA | Common Roles: UX Designer, User Experience Designer, Art Director, Creative Director, Interaction Designer, Content Strategist, UX Strategist, Information Architect, Usability Researcher
Notable Faculty: Tanya Norwood (IDS faculty director); David Noffs (IDS faculty member)
Admissions:
#5. New York University UX Design Program
Hakia ranks New York University as the #5 in ux design degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $60,438/year | Score: 88.0
What makes New York University stand out: NYU's merged CS PhD combines Courant's mathematical rigor with Tandon's engineering applications.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google and Meta, New York University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Program Overview: New York University offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. NYU offers unified PhD in CS through collaboration between Tandon and Courant with strengths in AI, ML, and data science.
Degree Programs: MS in Interaction Design (Tisch) (2 years); Advanced Certificate in Interaction Design (ITP) (1 year); BS in Computer Science with HCI track (Tandon) (4 years)
Research Labs: CILVR - Computer Intelligence, Learning, Vision, and Robotics; Math & Data (MaD) Group - Mathematical foundations of data science; Minds, Brains, and Machines (MBM) - Cognitive science and machine learning; ML2 - Machine learning research; STAT - Statistical methods and theory
Industry Partners: Google, Meta, Microsoft, finance firms
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Google, Meta, Microsoft, finance tech
Notable Faculty: Kristian Simsarian (Interaction design, user research, design methodology)
Admissions:
Accreditations: ABET accredited (engineering programs)
#6. University of Georgia UX Design Program
Hakia ranks University of Georgia as the #6 in ux design degree program. Location: Athens, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,790/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 87.5
What makes University of Georgia stand out: UGA CS provides research opportunities in emerging tech fields with strong state university support.
Hakia Insight: University of Georgia's industry network — including regional tech companies and research partners — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: University of Georgia offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UGA offers PhD in computer science with growing research programs in AI, data science, and computing.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in UX Design
Research Labs: AI Lab; Data Science Lab
Industry Partners: regional tech companies, research partners
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: tech companies, research positions, academic
Notable Faculty: Dr. Jill Stefaniak (human performance technology, instructional design, needs assessment, and medical education)
Admissions:
Accreditations: SACSCOC
#7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign UX Design Program
Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the #7 in ux design degree program. Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,768/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 85.2
What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand out: UIUC CS is consistently top-5 nationally with groundbreaking research in systems, theory, and AI.
Hakia Insight: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $109,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Program Overview: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UIUC CS PhD is a top-5 program offering research across all areas of computer science.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in UX Design
Research Labs: Systems Lab; AI Lab; Theory Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, IDEO, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Walmart Global Tech, Boston Red Sox, Lyra Health
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: JP Morgan Chase & Co, Walmart Global Tech, Boston Red Sox, Lyra Health | Common Roles: Data Analyst, Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, UX Designer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Consultant
Notable Faculty: Dr. Jingrui He (AI, machine learning, information consulting)
Admissions:
Accreditations: STEM-designated
#8. The University of Texas at Dallas UX Design Program
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Dallas as the #8 in ux design degree program. Location: Richardson, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,564/year | Graduation Rate: 77% | Score: 80.1
What makes The University of Texas at Dallas stand out: UT Dallas is a rising research university with strong ties to Dallas tech industry.
Hakia Insight: The University of Texas at Dallas graduates earn $5,900,096,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on ux design curriculum.
Program Overview: The University of Texas at Dallas offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UT Dallas CS offers PhD research with strengths in cybersecurity, data science, and AI.
Degree Programs: Certificate; BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) (4 years); BA in Media Arts and Design (MAD) (4 years); MA in Media Arts and Design; MFA in Media Arts and Design; PhD in Media Arts and Design; Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research (4 courses)
Research Labs: ArtSciLab - Transdisciplinary research at the intersection of art and science, user experience design; 3D Studio - Three-dimensional design and modeling; Anechoic Chamber and Transmedia Studio - Audio and transmedia production; experimenta.l. Animation Lab - Animation research and production; LabSynthE - Synthesis and emerging media; MENARAH - Research lab activities; Mograph Lab - Motion graphics research; Narrative Systems Research Lab - Narrative and storytelling systems; Public Interactives Research Lab (PIRL) - Public interactive media; The Studio for Mediating Play - Play and game-based interactions; VAST Lab - Extended Reality (XR) research for aerospace maintenance; Research in Art, Rematerialization + Ecology (RARE) - Art, ecology, and rematerialization
Industry Partners: Dell Technologies, Capital One, Intuit, Sabre, Cisco Systems, AT&T, Siemens, General Motors, Fossil, J.C. Penney, Visionist Inc., FAA
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Dell Technologies, Capital One, Sabre, Cisco Systems, AT&T, Siemens, General Motors, Fossil, J.C. Penney | Common Roles: UX Designer
Notable Faculty: Norm Cox (Professor of Practice, Design)
Admissions:
#9. University of North Carolina at Charlotte UX Design Program
Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #9 in ux design degree program. Location: Charlotte, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,812/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 77.1
What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte stand out: UNC Charlotte serves Charlotte's growing tech sector with research-focused doctoral programs.
Hakia Insight: University of North Carolina at Charlotte leverages partnerships with Bank of America and regional tech companies to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Program Overview: University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers PhD research in human-computer interaction, user experience research, and design methods. UNC Charlotte offers PhD in computing with research in data science, AI, and HCI.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in UX Design
Research Labs: Visualization Lab; AI Lab; HCI Lab
Industry Partners: Bank of America, regional tech companies
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Bank of America, fintech, regional employers
Notable Faculty: Heather Lipford (Human Computer Interaction Program Director)
Admissions:
Full UX Design Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | 90% | 100 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | Public | 91% | 98.6 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | — | 91.4 |
| 4 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | 90% | 89.5 |
| 5 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | — | 88 |
| 6 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Public | 95% | 87.5 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | 90% | 85.2 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | 77% | 80.1 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Public | 76% | 77.1 |
Research Areas & Specializations
PhD programs in ux design offer multiple specialization tracks. Your research area determines your advisor options, publication venues, and career trajectories.
Key UX Design Research Areas
- User Research
- Interaction Design
- Accessibility
- Design Systems
- Information Architecture
Emerging Research Topics (2024-2025)
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Accessibility
- Design Cognition
- Persuasive Design
- AI-Assisted Design
Choosing Your Specialization: Your research area should align with your interests, available advisors, and career goals. Review faculty research pages and recent publications. Attend seminars and read papers from top venues in ux design to understand current research directions.
Publication Venues: Check CSRankings.org to see which conferences and journals are most prestigious for your chosen specialization. Top-tier venues vary significantly by subfield.
Finding the Right Advisor
Your advisor is the single most important factor in PhD success. A good advisor shapes your research trajectory, opens networking opportunities, and directly impacts your career outcomes. According to data from NSF's Survey of Earned Doctorates, advisor-student fit is strongly correlated with time to degree and completion rates.
What to Look For in an Advisor:
- Research alignment: Their work should genuinely excite you—you'll spend 5+ years on related problems
- Advising style: Some are hands-on, others hands-off. Know what you need and ask current students
- Funding stability: Do they have ongoing grants? Have they consistently funded students?
- Student outcomes: Where did their graduates end up? Academia? Industry? How long did they take?
- Lab culture: Talk to current students privately about work-life balance and lab dynamics
Red Flags to Avoid:
- High student turnover or many students leaving without degrees
- Faculty who are rarely available or traveling constantly
- Labs where students seem stressed, isolated, or unhappy
- Advisors with a history of conflicts or complaints
Pro tip: Email 2-3 current students and ask: "What do you wish you knew before joining this lab?" Their candid responses will tell you more than any faculty website.
PhD Funding & Stipends
You should not pay for a PhD.
Top programs offer full funding packages covering tuition plus a competitive stipend. According to CSStipendRankings.org and PhDStipends.com, computer science stipends range from $18,000 at lower-paying programs to $50,000+ at top institutions.
2024-25 Stipend Examples:
- Brown University: $49,000/year ($4,084/month) - Graduate School
- Duke University: Full funding for 5 years including tuition, fees, insurance, and stipend - CS Department
- Emory University: $37,467/year for CS/Informatics PhDs - Graduate School
- Mid-tier programs: Typically $25,000-35,000/year with full tuition waiver
Funding Sources:
- Research Assistantships (RA): Work on faculty research; most common funding source
- Teaching Assistantships (TA): Lead discussion sections, grade assignments
- Fellowships: Competitive awards (NSF GRFP, NDSEG, university fellowships) with higher stipends and research freedom
- Grants: Faculty research grants often fund PhD students
Cost of Living Warning: Use PhDStipends.com to compare living wage ratios, which normalize stipends to local cost of living. A $35K stipend in a low-cost city may provide better quality of life than $50K in San Francisco.
PhD Milestones & Timeline
The NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates tracks time to degree across all fields. Computer science PhDs typically take 5-6 years to complete, though this varies by research area and institution.
Typical PhD Timeline:
- Years 1-2: Coursework, rotations (if applicable), identify research area, pass qualifying exams
- Years 2-3: Thesis proposal, begin independent research, first publications
- Years 3-5: Core research, conference publications, build professional network
- Years 5-6: Complete dissertation, defend, job market
Key Milestones:
- Qualifying Exam: Usually year 1-2; tests breadth of knowledge and/or research potential
- Thesis Proposal: Year 2-3; defines your dissertation scope and convinces committee it's viable
- Candidacy: After proposal passes; you're now "ABD" (All But Dissertation)
- Dissertation Defense: Final oral exam presenting your complete research
What affects time to degree: Research area complexity, advisor expectations, publication requirements, whether you switch topics, and how quickly you identify a viable research direction.
Application Process
PhD admissions are highly competitive. According to ProFellow, top programs accept 5-15% of applicants. The process differs significantly from undergraduate or master's admissions.
Typical Application Components:
- Statement of Purpose: Your research interests, why this program, and potential advisors (2-3 pages)
- Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, ideally from research supervisors who know your work deeply
- CV/Resume: Emphasize research experience, publications, and technical projects
- GRE Scores: Many programs have made GRE optional since 2020; check requirements
- Transcripts: Strong grades help, but research experience often matters more
- Research samples: Some programs request writing samples or research proposals
Timeline:
- September-November: Research programs, contact potential advisors, prepare materials
- December 1-15: Most application deadlines
- January-March: Interview invitations (virtual or in-person visit days)
- March-April 15: Admission decisions; April 15 is the standard decision deadline
Critical tip: Reach out to potential advisors before applying. A brief, professional email expressing genuine interest in their research can significantly improve your chances—especially if they respond positively and mention your application to the admissions committee.
Industry Research vs Academic Faculty Careers
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Generally better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Choosing Your Career Path
Industry research is right for you if:
- Compensation is a priority
- You want to see research deployed at scale
- You prefer shorter feedback loops
- You're comfortable with more directed research agendas
- Geographic flexibility is important (industry hubs)
Academia is right for you if:
- Research freedom is paramount
- You want to mentor the next generation
- Job security matters more than peak compensation
- You enjoy teaching
- You want to pursue long-term, speculative research
Increasingly blurred lines: Many researchers move between academia and industry. Some professors consult extensively; some industry researchers teach courses. The choice isn't permanent.
Postdoc Pathways
A postdoc is a temporary research position after completing your PhD. According to Academic Positions, postdoc salaries average $61,000-$72,000 in 2024, with most positions lasting 2-3 years.
When is a Postdoc Necessary?
- Academic careers: Often expected, especially at research universities. Strengthens your publication record and expands your network.
- Industry careers: Rarely necessary—most industry research labs hire directly from PhD programs
- Switching fields: A postdoc can help you pivot to a new research area
- Building independence: Develops skills in grant writing, lab management, and independent research
Postdoc Considerations:
- Duration: 1-3 years typical; longer postdocs can signal difficulty finding permanent positions
- Salary gap: Postdocs earn significantly less than industry PhDs—factor this into your decision
- Location flexibility: Postdocs often require relocation; be prepared to move
- Exit strategy: Have a clear plan for what comes after the postdoc
Important: In computer science, a postdoc is increasingly optional. Strong PhD graduates with good publication records can go directly to tenure-track positions or industry research roles.
Publication Expectations
Publications are the currency of academic research. In computer science, conference papers (not journals) are the primary publication venue, unlike most other fields.
Typical Publication Expectations:
- Minimum for graduation: 2-4 peer-reviewed publications (varies by program and advisor)
- Competitive job market: 5+ publications with at least 1-2 at top-tier venues
- Top-tier venues: NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ACL, SIGCOMM, SOSP, PLDI (varies by subfield)
- First-author papers: Critical for demonstrating independent research ability
Publication Timeline:
- Year 1-2: Workshop papers, co-authored papers with senior students
- Year 3-4: First-author publications at good venues
- Year 5+: Aim for top venues, build a coherent research narrative for job market
Quality vs Quantity: One strong paper at a top venue (NeurIPS, ICML, etc.) often matters more than several papers at lower-tier venues. Focus on impactful work that others will cite and build upon.
Resources: Check CSRankings.org to understand which venues matter most in your subfield and how faculty are evaluated by publication record.
Top States for UX Design Doctoral Programs
| State | Total Programs | Median Tuition | Top Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in California | 25 | $9,500 | University of California |
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in Texas | 20 | $8,500 | University of Texas |
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in New York | 18 | $12,000 | SUNY |
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in Florida | 15 | $6,500 | University of Florida |
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in Virginia | 12 | $11,000 | Virginia Tech |
| Best UX Design Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania | 14 | $14,000 | Penn State |
UI/UX Design Career Track
+$24K avg salary increase·9 months
- 4-week real-world externship with industry partner
- 1-on-1 mentorship from industry professionals
- Money-back job guarantee
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UX Design PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
Related UX Design Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.