Comments on: The Real Costs of Graduate School

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:39:06 +0000

Good point, Financial Samurai. There is a big MBA bubble. Would be good to see the stats on how it compares to other degree bubbles (or at least, oversupply). Main difference seems to be that whatever jobs there are that would benefit from an MBA, are increasingly now requiring MBAs. Whereas with PhDs and other MAs, there is arguably way too much supply. In fact, I’ve read that there is even too much supply coming out of the Bachelor’s degree for the actual number of jobs available everywhere. Most jobs are labor-intensive or don’t really require 4 years of college.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:54:07 +0000

The more I think about it, the more going to grad school, specifically getting your MBA is a no brainer…….. if your employer pays for it.

The fact of the matter is, more and more people in the business world are getting their MBAs. There’s no stopping this train ride, hence in order to be competitive, younger kids must do the same. It is what it is for the corporate finance world.

Other industries? Not so much. Feel free to read my article “To MBA or Not To MBA over at Financial Samurai.

By: Grad

Grad — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:45:21 +0000

@B7 Grad school is expensive if you have to pay out of pocket. Many Ph.D. programs, especially top ranked ones, you have fellowships to foot the bill for you.

And ditto to the fact that for some intended professions… you really have no choice. No one is practicing psychology with a bachelors degree.

By: Grad

Grad — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:43:51 +0000

This is such a great post! I wrote a similar article a few weeks ago about the same topic. I keep hearing “Can’t Get a Job? Go to Grad School.” Not only might you NOT be able to get in, but graduate school is NO JOKE. I wouldn’t recommend signing up for one for solely financial reasons. Bad idea.

By: MAxwell

MAxwell — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:38:56 +0000

MBAs aren’t real degrees; worthless pieces of paper. Get a real graduate degree Bulldog.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:07:52 +0000

@Bulldog – great points. If the grad degree is an MBA, then yes, it’s common for employers to pay for some of that…. although that raises a little red flag for me just because of how that goes to flood the workplace with MBAs. Most humanities and science MAs/MScs are merit-based and you pay yourself (in the U.S.). MBAs will be merit-based to a degree, but then if you’re employer is paying, it’s up to you to get into a better school so as to better stand out. Since it sounds like everyone else’s employer is paying for theirs, as well.

By: Bulldog Gin Co

Bulldog Gin Co — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:38:32 +0000

Great blog post!

You point all ALL the things to be aware about.

Frankly, the irony about JUST going into grad school now, is that employers (MBA for example) will question why you went when u graduate in 2 years. Many people are getting fired now, so the irony is that the perceived “bottom 10%” of employees are hiding out in school now.

The best is to go PART TIME and have your employer pick up some of the tab. I got my MBA from 2003-2006, and my employer paid about 77% of it and i wrote off the rest due to the nature of my field.

If i got out of the work force and reentered, i would have lost a lot of potential money.

By: Elly

Elly — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:13:30 +0000

I live in Indiana. I graduated high school in 2004 and I’m currently a full time college student. I want to get a real estate license to sell residential homes. I have tried to find somewhere online that can tell me, but mostly I find “classes not available in Indiana.” I need specifics – what university specifically has classes, where specifically I can go town wise, how much it costs.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:28:18 +0000

@Mr.Cheap – yes, I didn’t mention the obvious fact that some professions do require you to have a PhD (being a clinical psychologist, eg., is also one). And if you want to teach at a brick and mortar university, you also need one. It’s great that your program is providing you with a real change from the 9-5 workday.

@B7 – there are many reasons for going to graduate school of some sort. For some, it is actually the opportunity they are looking for. It’s a tough decision. It is expensive. It does take time. But I don’t think it ultimately *limits* your opportunities.

By: B7

B7 — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:10:35 +0000

Why would anyone go to graduate school? It costs a fortune and the only thing you will get is a job working for someone else or teaching. Who wants that?

In addition, when you consider the opportunity cost, it is incredibly expensive.