Articles & Guides
Funding strategies, cost comparisons, and policy analysis for graduate school students.
Part-Time General Graduate Programs: The $10,250 Loan Proration Rule
The 2026 OBBBA prorates the $20,500 graduate loan cap by enrollment intensity. Half-time students get only $10,250/year.
Why General Graduate Programs Get $20,500, Not $50,000
Graduate students are capped at $20,500/year in federal loans while medical students get $50,000. With 95.4% of 4,206 programs showing a gap, here's why.
$674,089 Degree: Most Expensive General Graduate Programs (2026)
The most expensive graduate program in 2026 costs $674,089. See the top 20 ranked by total cost under the $20,500 federal cap.
$273,305 Annual Gap: Graduate Largest Funding Gaps (2026)
95.4% of graduate programs exceed the $20,500 federal loan cap. The largest graduate funding gap in 2026 hits $273,305/year. See the full rankings.
Is Graduate School Worth the Debt? 2026 ROI Analysis
Is graduate school worth the debt in 2026? Data from 4,206 programs shows a median 1.2:1 debt-to-income ratio. The worst hits 6.0:1.
In-State vs. Out-of-State General Graduate Program Costs: $146,430 Gap
Out-of-state graduate students face premiums up to $146,430. See the 20 biggest in-state vs out-of-state cost gaps and what they mean for your funding.
General Graduate Programs Fully Covered by Federal Loans
Only 194 of 4,206 graduate programs cost $20,500/year or less. See which programs require zero private borrowing under the new federal cap.
Transferring General Graduate Programs? Grandfathering Rules Explained
Transferring graduate programs in 2026 can void your grandfathered Grad PLUS eligibility, dropping your cap to $20,500/year. Here's what triggers the loss.
General Graduate Programs: $20,500 Loan Cap (2026)
The 2026 graduate federal loan limit is $20,500/year. With median costs at $37,886, that leaves a $18,246 annual gap for 95.4% of programs.
$20,500 Cap Across 4,202 Programs: Which Degrees Are Hit Hardest?
95.4% of 4,202 graduate programs exceed the $20,500 federal loan cap. See which degrees face the largest funding gaps and which still fit under the limit.
$257,500 Wall: How General Graduate Programs Students Hit the Limit
Graduate students face a $257,500 lifetime federal loan cap. With 95.4% of programs exceeding the $20,500/year limit, here's when your funding runs out.
Every General Graduate Programs Program Ranked by Total Cost (2026)
We ranked 4,202 graduate programs by total cost. The median is $76,760, and 95.4% exceed the $20,500 federal loan cap. Find your program's funding gap.