Is Grad School Really Worth All That Student Debt?

A master's degree sure sounds impressive, but is grad school really worth the student debt and time taken away from work experience? Here's how to weigh the pros and cons of grad school.

[bricwud]

The position you get 30 years ago as an undergrad, needs a postgrad today

[ray]

First, pay off student loans and then head to grad school.

[mistermood]

more often than not, its not worth it. :/

[helios]

One criticism. Most jobs you can get without a grad-school degree, especially in the social and natural sciences, don't have many rungs you can move ahead. Often times, in order to actually get on the ladder, you need the degree first.

[Flutteryify]

sometimes your job will pay for your grad school so i mean that's a thing too

[VictorSoares]

It depends on your field....I think it's worth it specially in engineering courses, ideally if you have a big company backing up your thesis and project of research. Else your just learning and or discovering something nobody wants to hire you for

[Sendmetothesky]

Or get scholarships, go outside the country, or if it's your career and you're valued by your company to move up the chain; they will sometimes pay too.

[jujupaixonete]

Dear AJ+, I really like your videos, which are usually very informative, progressive and also entertaining videos. I have been a subscriber for a few months and I haven't found a video that I didn't like up until today when I saw this video... I believe that going to Grad School can serve many different purposes and goals in life, which are not always related to increasing your salary. Maybe if you're only talking about professional degrees like a JD, this argument might hold up, but if you're talking about academic degrees, then it's another story. I think that most people that are pursuing an academic graduate degree, such as a MA and a PhD, are studying to learn how to do research and their purpose cannot be reduced to only an increase in salary. Lots of people pursuing these graduate degrees are motivated by their thirst for knowledge through research and teaching and find the academic setting to be engaging, dynamic and full of opportunities to learn and explore your curiosity.

[TooHonest_You]

I say with anything you do in life you will always need a before and after plan. when you pick a major, make sure it's something that can benefit you in the long-term

[TheAverageJoe]

Wow, one of the more rational videos AJ+ actually posts.

[mariapuolakkainen]

Going to grad school should also be a question of "do you want to"! This video entirely ignores the value of education as character-building and an enjoyable pursuit for knowledge. Higher education shouldn't only be a means of employment but an intellectually fulfilling time in one's life.

[ThMkrn]

so pretty much the answer is no because of the amount of debt and stuff you have to payoff PLUS the chances are you aren't getting hired.

[kennys]

Alternative - do everything to get Bernie in office

[AQWorldsKingLoaton]

Free college wont mean no debt at all, you still have to pay for rent and such. But it would seriously decrease the amount of debt.

[realazduffman]

For once a balanced video on the subject

[moctezuma]

I only finish 3rd grade and i get paid 12 an hour its not much but i didnt had any studies and people who graduate from high school go to jobs that get paid 9 or 10 an hour

[antivorg]

What's the difference between grad school and college in the US

[MrFuthisshit]

studying is not always just for money, have you considered that? that's why less people are going into academic fields everyone's thinking about money money money

[richardtaylor]

+Janet Yuen ... They are not putting forth any moral values here... They are providing a rational framework of decision making for those who are looking for grad school as a means of advancing their careers...

Calm down there, Janet, and don't take everything so personally.

[LizziesKindaBeast]

Is becoming a teacher still worth it today in America?