ETH Zurich Institute for Environmental Decisions
- Acceptance Rate
- 8.0%
- SAT Range
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- ACT Range
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- Avg GPA
- 3.9
- Size
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Graduate students at IED experience ETH Zurich's distinctive academic culture within a focused research environment. The institute enrolls a relatively small number of doctoral students, creating a close community where students know colleagues and faculty well. Weekly seminars and regular social events build connections across research groups. Housing in Zurich presents significant challenges due to the city's extremely tight rental market and high costs. ETH provides some student housing but cannot accommodate all students, and wait lists can be long. Private market rents for modest apartments often exceed 1,500 CHF monthly, requiring significant portions of doctoral stipends. Many students live in shared apartments or in communities outside central Zurich. Social life combines institute activities with ETH's broader community and Zurich's urban offerings. ETH student organizations, sporting clubs, and cultural activities provide outlets beyond academic work. Zurich offers diverse dining, entertainment, and cultural options, though costs run high. The surrounding Alps provide spectacular outdoor recreation within easy reach. The international character of ETH brings students from across Europe and globally. English serves as the working language for most research activities, though German proficiency helps for daily life in Zurich. Support resources include institute administrative staff, ETH's doctoral program support, and student services. Challenges commonly noted include the high cost of living, competitive academic environment, and adjusting to Swiss culture's reserved interpersonal norms.
Location & Surroundings
IED is located on ETH Zurich's main campus in the center of Zurich, Switzerland. The campus occupies a prominent position above the old town, with buildings spanning from historic 19th-century structures to modern facilities. Zurich itself is a city of approximately 400,000 residents, serving as Switzerland's largest city and primary financial center. The climate in Zurich features cold winters with occasional snow, mild springs and falls, and warm but generally not hot summers. The city sits at the north end of Lake Zurich with the Alps visible to the south, creating a distinctive setting combining urban amenities with dramatic natural surroundings. Public transportation in Zurich ranks among the best globally. Trams, buses, and trains provide efficient connections throughout the city and region. A car is unnecessary for daily life and would present challenges given limited parking and traffic restrictions. Zurich Airport provides extensive international connections, positioned as a major European hub. The cost of living in Zurich ranks among the highest globally, with Switzerland's high wages offset by equally high prices. Doctoral stipends at ETH typically range 47,000-50,000 CHF annually, adequate for modest living but requiring careful budgeting in this expensive environment. The city offers exceptional quality of life including safety, cleanliness, cultural offerings, and access to outdoor recreation. The Alps are accessible for skiing and hiking within one to two hours by train.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Doctoral students at ETH Zurich receive employment contracts rather than fellowships, working as research and teaching assistants while pursuing their degrees. Current salaries for doctoral students typically range 47,000-50,000 CHF annually, higher than most doctoral programs globally though necessary given Swiss living costs. These positions include social security contributions and other employment benefits. The employment model means doctoral students are legally employees rather than students, with associated protections. The primary financial challenge involves Zurich's exceptional cost of living. Housing costs consume significant portions of doctoral salaries, with health insurance (mandatory in Switzerland) adding further expense. Careful budgeting is necessary despite relatively high nominal compensation. Total annual expenses for a modest lifestyle typically run 45,000-55,000 CHF including housing, health insurance, food, transportation, and personal costs. Career outcomes for IED graduates span academia, government, international organizations, and private sector consulting. Academic positions at European and global universities represent one pathway, with environmental economics and behavioral science expertise valued across institutions. Swiss and international policy organizations (OECD, UN agencies, government ministries) employ graduates for evidence-based policy analysis. Consulting firms serving corporate and government clients on sustainability strategy seek graduates who can apply research methods to practical problems. Starting salaries vary significantly by sector and geography. Academic positions in continental Europe typically start around 50,000-70,000 EUR. Swiss government and international organization positions may start at 80,000-120,000 CHF. Private sector consulting and corporate positions vary widely. Career services include ETH's central resources plus networking through IED's connections to policy institutions and corporate partners engaged in sustainability. The institute's applied focus and European connections position graduates well for careers bridging research and practice.
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