Grad School or not?

[-SD-]

Im a junior getting a degree in finance and was considering grad school but wanted some input as far as cost-benefit analyis is concerned. There is a sweet little 36 hour Master of Land Economics/Real Estate degree that I could complete in 3 semesters that is quite attractive since real estate is what I plan to enter after school. The question is since I will be taking out more loans for grad school, will the boost in pay enjoyed by acquiring a masters degree such as this outweigh the amount of debt incurred from grad school? (the school is Texas A&M by the way)
Obviously it depends on what job and career track I get but I certainly didnt want to spend the money and time on grad school when a business degree would suffice in the long run.

 

[SoKlueles]

I wish i could help u anything that makes u happy is worth the money

 

[slickdadd]

It sucks your life and money away. Hopefully it pays off afterwards though. I am still in the middle of mine, so I can't say if it pays off yet. Should though.

 

[samoth]

You should be working your way through grad school. It might be different outside of the sciences, but a university that won't offer to pay your way though grad school by teaching and whatnot is unheard of, at least to us.

 

[slickdadd]

You are in a PhD program right samoth? Most Master's program require the students to pay for it themselves in most cases.

 

[samoth]

You are in a PhD program right samoth? Most Master's program require the students to pay for it themselves in most cases.

LOL, no, I'm a senior. I transfered my third year from biochem to applied physics.

I can only speak of the hard sciences, but the major universities will pay most of your way through grad school. I suppose I should restate that as they will offer to pay most of your way through if you are willing to do the work. If you don't want to teach, or want some apartment somewhere off campus, then it will cost more.

A major public university will give you enough options to help you through most if not all of the way. I'm not talking 8 hour work days, a roomy apartment and five meals a day, though.

 

[Gymgurl]

My Masters is a 3 yr full time program...and about $400 a credit hour....so notice that I am not getting it right now......BAHHHHHHHHHHHH BOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOOO someday I hope!

 

[slickdadd]

LOL, no, I'm a senior. I transfered my third year from biochem to applied physics.

I can only speak of the hard sciences, but the major universities will pay most of your way through grad school. I suppose I should restate that as they will offer to pay most of your way through if you are willing to do the work. If you don't want to teach, or want some apartment somewhere off campus, then it will cost more.

A major public university will give you enough options to help you through most if not all of the way. I'm not talking 8 hour work days, a roomy apartment and five meals a day, though.

Oh, well yeah that is only for science. Typically science is pretty hard to get into as well as it being significantly smaller in terms of applicants compared to other areas (Business, Arts, etc.). At least from what I know.

If you are going for a Master's degree in something else, while there are some funding options out there available, they are highly competitive and most students will have to pay for it out of their own pocket. It's only 2 years though usually, so it's nothing astronomical typically, but it still is money. If you are in a PhD program there a lot more options open, but at the same time you have to have the experience and qualifications to be not only accepted into the program but viable for any assistantships to pay your way through school. Most PhD students in my department seem to be out of the work force with some real world experience.

 

[Gymgurl]

I am so ready to go back to school....just waiting on one more kid to get in to school full time and i am gone

 

[Zebo]

I finished mine over a year ago. It has definately opened alot of doors for me.
However, in higher education, a master's in considered a minimum requirement. I'll start my Ed.D in a couple of years.

Yes, it costs time and money, but, for me, it was worth it.

 

[velvett]

Im a junior getting a degree in finance and was considering grad school but wanted some input as far as cost-benefit analyis is concerned. There is a sweet little 36 hour Master of Land Economics/Real Estate degree that I could complete in 3 semesters that is quite attractive since real estate is what I plan to enter after school. The question is since I will be taking out more loans for grad school, will the boost in pay enjoyed by acquiring a masters degree such as this outweigh the amount of debt incurred from grad school? (the school is Texas A&M by the way)
Obviously it depends on what job and career track I get but I certainly didnt want to spend the money and time on grad school when a business degree would suffice in the long run.

This isn't a deeply educated answer but if you can swing it - take it.

3 semesters - that's awesome.

The only thing I could think of is to ask people in the field that you wish to go if the additional education will benefit you 5-10 years from now.

Like Gymgurl my master's would be 3 years full time and as much as I would like it - at this time it just won't happen. I had the chance to go, I got in and had the opportunity for help to have it paid for and I didn't take it.

 

[Ulcasterdropout]

I got kiced out of my house so and needed a job asap. I never did it. Only a BS

 

[-SD-]

up

 

[mrplunkey]

Im a junior getting a degree in finance and was considering grad school but wanted some input as far as cost-benefit analyis is concerned. There is a sweet little 36 hour Master of Land Economics/Real Estate degree that I could complete in 3 semesters that is quite attractive since real estate is what I plan to enter after school. The question is since I will be taking out more loans for grad school, will the boost in pay enjoyed by acquiring a masters degree such as this outweigh the amount of debt incurred from grad school? (the school is Texas A&M by the way)
Obviously it depends on what job and career track I get but I certainly didnt want to spend the money and time on grad school when a business degree would suffice in the long run.

I did an engineering Ph.D. and it payed off in spades. Perhaps my best investment ever. Liked it so much I went back 3 years later and did an MBA. That too payed off in spades.

Graduate level education, as long as you aren't doing a Ph.D. in "basket weaving" or "dead asian languages" pay-out in a big way.

 

[-SD-]

I did an engineering Ph.D. and it payed off in spades. Perhaps my best investment ever. Liked it so much I went back 3 years later and did an MBA. That too payed off in spades.

Graduate level education, as long as you aren't doing a Ph.D. in "basket weaving" or "dead asian languages" pay-out in a big way.

I know it definitely pays out big time in the sciences, but for business degrees I did not know.
Engineering Ph.D and MBA is one hell of a combo rob.