3 ms·

Economics does not explain high percentage of international students in PhD programs, which are mostly sponsored with research / teaching assistantship.

• klyrs 5y ago
  It does, though. What's the economic incentive for an American to get a PhD? RA/TA positions are not exactly lucrative. In most places, they're barely above the poverty line. Do that 'til you're 30-ish. Now, you can go for a postdoc position and make below median income for several years to earn an opportunity to become a professor at 35. Finally, you're making slightly more than the median, but in a "publish or perish" atmosphere or you won't get tenure. Compare that to the economic incentive for an international student. You're on a work visa, so you literally cannot work anywhere but the university. If you finish your degree, you get points towards immigration. Or, save every penny, because that below-median salary is mad cash in your home country and you're accustomed to a humble lifestyle, and your American degree is worth its weight in gold when you return home.
  • temp8964 5y ago
    In the context of my comment, incentive means incentive of the university. I do agree most of what you said.