I agree that 17-19k is on the reasonably high end of the typical stipend range. In my experience, clinical and non-clinical stipends are roughly equal within the same department-- I've never heard of anyone taking competitiveness or future earnings potential into consideration. Some advisors have more grant money available to supplement stipends, but that varies by lab, not area. As for the loan question, it really varies by individual---whether you have savings available, whether you have a significant other to share expenses with, what your spending habits are, whether you are willing to live in a small place with a roommate or whether you simply must have your own place, whether you're willing to follow a strict budget, etc. And of course, cost of living. Unfortunately, stipends are not always commensurate with cost of living. I get a stipend in the 17-19k range (actually for 12 months, so not as good as the OP if she has summer funding available), and I'm in a high cost area, and so far I've gotten by with no loans (but I've dipped into my savings a bit). Other people in my program always take out the full amount of loans available. It just depends on you.