How much did your Master's cost? - Page 2

[bobandjess99]

here, to pursue a degree at the local state school (not bad) is 210-250 per credit hour, depending on degree (business is more, things like social work are less)
So, for a basic 36 hour degree, it runs you about $8K, plus of course books and randome fees they throw in.
For something more extensive, like the MBA, it can be about $12K.
The 55-60 credit hour MSW or Master of Counseling degrees to be certified as a therapist, it is more like $14K.

Most of the local master programs are part time, for working adults, so it's expected you'll work while in the program, so borrowing for living expenses isn't common.

[Ellien C]

I got a 60-credit evening MBA over 3 years - including summers. When I started the program in 1997 the company paid about $2000/year and the school cost about $12,000/year. It was an excellent program. I had substantial savings - enough for 2 years of schooling and then I figured I would cross that bridge when I got there. Either I'd stretch things out over the final year, take out loans or hope I was making/saving more. I started in sept and in January my company was merged with a different company that paid for ALL of my schooling. I was really lucky and finished in 2000 with money left for a house down-payment.

For me, it would have been a great investment even if I'd had to pay for it myself. I more than doubled my salary when I graduated.

But times are WAY different now. I went to school during the Internet bubble when jobs were plentiful and benefits substantial.

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by siobhang

I got my Master's in the UK - total cost including room and board for the year was $30K, which I had saved before I went. I decided to pursue my degree in the UK because a. of cost and b. the course/school sounded exactly what I wanted, c. I wanted to live/hang out in London, and d. I wanted the British perspective (Anthropology of International Development).

best investment of my life.

You are SO interesting!

I'm like Siobhang's biggest MDC fan!

[_ktg_]

I'm pursing an MA in bioethics and l'm lucky in that at least 1/3 of this degree will be covered by the college I work for (it used to be more, but alas budget cuts!). I think my current cost per credit is like $685/credit... its not that bad.


What is the area you are thinking of pursuing to get your MS? I think it just depends on programs and schools.

[boricuaqueen327]

Getting my M. of Ed. It will run a little over 12K after 4 semesters of taking full time classes. It is a state university so I pay in-state tuition.

[cartercollins04]

Online degree programs are much cheaper than regular ones. Moreover these provide so much flexibility that you can pursue your degree according to your wish.

[MaddieMay]

My masters cost me about 10K, at a local (well respected) state university. It took me 2.5 years to complete. I worked while going to school and was able to pay for everything out of pocket.

[That Is Nice]

Originally Posted by cartercollins04

Online degree programs are much cheaper than regular ones. Moreover these provide so much flexibility that you can pursue your degree according to your wish.

But are they reputable / well respected / accredited? I've looked into online degree programs and they seem to fall into two categories:

1) attached to a physical, well regarded, accredited university and therefore just as much, and often much more, for tuition as the bricks and mortar school.

or

2) not accredited (in many states), not well regarded, not worth the time and cost for what it will do with your resume. The big corporate "universities" that churn out online degrees aren't going to give me a degree that would be respected in my field. I really think employers would scoff and turn away.

[Mosaic]

I have a professional degree from one of the top 2 schools in the nation for my field, and good golly did I pay for it! 2 years cost me $55k; though I did get some scholarship, grant, and work-study money, a lot of that was loans. My salary definitely reflects my degree, but, well, that's still a boatload of money.

[EFmom]

Mine was about $3500 per course (3 credits each). I can't remember how many credits I needed, it was either 36 or 42. I did my masters very part time, paying as I went. I typically took 4-6 classes a year.

[MaWhit]

My program is about $3500 per semester for 3 years. So, $21,000.

[mauri456]

I'm in a Family NP program... it comes out to 3500 a semester; and the program is over 10 semesters (summer semesters, I'm part time). So, overall - about 35000 plus books, traveling to clinical placements, etc.

I am working FT so work covers 10,000 a year. I have to work for them for a year after I graduate for each year that they pay for my tuition. It's a big health system so that is fine, it doesnt limit my opportunities too much.

But, really - if advancing your education is going to help you long term, I would go for it. Student loans are there for a reason. I think they are worth it without a doubt. Of course you need to be reasonable, but there has got to be something in between free and 180k for law school. I took out 11k in SL for undergrad to become a nurse and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it. Just make sure you do the Stafford Loans through the gov't. Right now the rates are pretty low. Also depending on what field you are in, there are payback programs. ie)I know there is one for nurses.

GL!

[pumpkin]

It really varies by field. I studied economics. I did not even consider programs that did not offer me free tuition and a stipend.

[earthmama369]

My Masters is in secondary education, with a focus in social studies. I did an intensive one-year program, where you teach full time as an intern for a year and take your classes in the evening. It was pretty much work, work, work all the time, but I got a full scholarship plus a small stipend for gas and books. (It didn't cover everything, but it helped.) In the end, the degree cost me $15,000 in a loan from my parents, which covered rent, food, utilities, car repairs, and vet bills for the year while I was interning, since I didn't have any free time for a paying job.

[boricuaqueen327]

Originally Posted by earthmama369

My Masters is in secondary education, with a focus in social studies. I did an intensive one-year program, where you teach full time as an intern for a year and take your classes in the evening. It was pretty much work, work, work all the time, but I got a full scholarship plus a small stipend for gas and books. (It didn't cover everything, but it helped.) In the end, the degree cost me $15,000 in a loan from my parents, which covered rent, food, utilities, car repairs, and vet bills for the year while I was interning, since I didn't have any free time for a paying job.

The program I am in right now is kind of similar to this. It is Masters of Secondary Ed with an emphasis in biology through an accredited state university . It is 1 1/2 years long (4 semesters though because you go full time during the summer) It requires a semester of student practicum which I am doing now, and at the end, a semester of full-time student teaching. The courses are hybrid, lots of online work with several mandatory class meetings throughout the semester. For people like myself who are far away from the campus ( 1 am 5 hours away) web conferencing is available.

[Leta]

I would strongly investigate scholarships. I've been looking into my Master's, and have found lots more than what's out there for undergrad. Like, 3-4x as much, money wise and granting agency wise.

A friend got her PhD in Audiology, and paid nothing at all. She got so many scholarships that she paid her rent.

Also, just a thought... could you try to get a job at a local school that offers a grad program and free tuition to staff? DH works at a college that gives a full tuition abatement to faculty, staff, and their dependents. (You do have to claim grad tuition as earned income on your taxes, tho'.) Even if you had to take a per hour pay cut, it might be worth working as a admin assistant for a few years to get the free tuition.

I also would hesitate on law school. My uncle is in law school, and having the full on heebie jeebies because he is not going to a tier one school, and is meeting lawyers with degrees from Georgetown who can't find a job. It's my understanding that law is pretty saturated. If you need a legal degree to advance, I'd try very hard to first find a job that will pay for law school if you are wanting/needing to go.