Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
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- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Graduate students at Los Alamos National Laboratory experience a distinctive blend of world-class research and small-town mountain living. The laboratory community creates a focused intellectual environment while the surrounding landscape offers exceptional outdoor recreation. Research groups at LANL typically include scientists at all career stages, from postdocs and students to senior researchers with decades of experience. This structure provides mentorship and exposure to diverse career paths within the national laboratory system. Group meetings, seminars, and laboratory-wide colloquia create regular opportunities for scientific exchange. Los Alamos town sits at 7,300 feet elevation in the Jemez Mountains, surrounded by national forest and Native American pueblos. The small community of approximately 13,000 residents includes a high concentration of scientists and engineers. The town offers essential services while maintaining intimate scale. Outdoor recreation opportunities are exceptional. Skiing at Pajarito Mountain provides winter sport minutes from the laboratory. Hiking trails extend from town into the surrounding forest. Santa Fe, with its world-class museums, galleries, and restaurants, lies 45 minutes away. Housing in Los Alamos is limited but affordable by national laboratory standards. Many students and postdocs live in Santa Fe or nearby communities and commute. The laboratory provides some housing assistance and relocation support.
Location & Surroundings
Los Alamos National Laboratory occupies a mesa-top campus in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, approximately 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe. The high-altitude location combines stunning natural beauty with a unique scientific community. The laboratory campus spreads across mesas and canyons at elevations from 6,500 to 7,800 feet. Technical areas house research facilities ranging from plutonium laboratories to supercomputer centers to environmental research stations. The dramatic landscape includes the caldera of an ancient supervolcano and forests of ponderosa pine and aspen. Los Alamos town developed as a company town during the Manhattan Project and retains some of that character today. The community offers good schools, low crime, and a concentration of highly educated residents unusual for towns of similar size. Essential services are available locally, with fuller shopping and entertainment in Santa Fe. Northern New Mexico's climate features four distinct seasons with moderate summers, cold winters, and over 300 days of sunshine annually. Elevation moderates summer temperatures while winter brings snow suitable for skiing. The dry climate requires adjustment for those from humid regions. Transportation access includes Albuquerque International Airport, approximately 100 miles south. Santa Fe provides regional air service and Amtrak connections. Most residents rely on personal vehicles given limited public transportation. The scenic drives to Santa Fe or Albuquerque traverse dramatic high-desert landscapes.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Graduate students conducting research at Los Alamos National Laboratory typically receive funding through a combination of sources. LANL provides competitive stipends for Graduate Research Associates, currently ranging from $40,000-50,000 annually depending on degree level and field. University fellowships may supplement laboratory funding. Housing costs in Los Alamos are moderate, with apartments running $900-1,400 monthly. Santa Fe offers more housing options but at higher prices. Living expenses beyond housing require approximately $1,000-1,500 monthly for food, transportation, and personal costs. The isolated location limits some entertainment options but also reduces spending temptations. The laboratory provides relocation assistance for GRA positions and some housing support during initial periods. Health insurance coverage is typically provided through university enrollment while laboratory positions provide additional benefits. Career outcomes for LANL-trained graduates are excellent. Many continue at Los Alamos or other national laboratories in staff scientist positions. University faculty appointments, particularly at research-intensive institutions, are common outcomes. Industry positions in defense, energy, and technology sectors actively recruit laboratory alumni. Starting salaries for doctoral graduates range from $90,000-140,000 at national laboratories and in related industry positions. Academic positions offer competitive salaries plus research startup packages. The laboratory's prestige and alumni network facilitate placement in competitive positions throughout scientific careers.
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