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The Numbers Are in: Are Graduate Degree Programs Worth It?
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | March 28, 2022 | Matthew Wilson

Posted on 03/30/2022 8:53:10 AM PDT by karpov

Preston Cooper, a researcher at The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity studying the economics of higher education, recently published a wide-ranging analysis of almost 14,000 U.S. graduate degree programs. In his investigation―which used a similar methodology to a related study he conducted on the value of undergraduate degrees―Cooper calculated the return on investment (ROI) for graduate programs across the country, determining which degrees pack the best payoff and which ones are likely to yield negative financial returns. So, how do North Carolina’s schools stack up?

While Cooper found that more than forty percent of master’s degrees have a negative ROI, many master’s programs―particularly in medicine, healthcare, and the biological sciences―can be extremely lucrative. UNC-Chapel Hill’s master’s program in clinical sciences and medical studies yields a net lifetime ROI of $4,180,321, with its degree in dentistry and oral sciences trailing not far behind at $4,025,886. These highly successful programs reflect broader national trends at play. In contrast to the large percentage of negative ROIs for master’s degree programs in general, just three percent of degrees in computer science, mathematics, or engineering demonstrate negative returns. For nursing programs, it’s just five percent, and for master’s degrees in the biological sciences, it’s twenty-two percent.

The list of high-performing master’s degrees isn’t exclusive to STEM programs, though: at Duke University’s prestigious Fuqua School of Business, graduates in international business can expect a median lifetime ROI of $4,555,280. But this is more of an exception than the rule. According to Cooper’s research, about sixty-four percent of business-related master’s degree programs have negative ROIs. The small minority of high-payoff business programs that defy this trend can mostly be found at expensive, elite institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, the University of Chicago, and Duke.

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education
KEYWORDS: graduateschool
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1 posted on 03/30/2022 8:53:10 AM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

There’s always the master’s degree in “Happiness Studies”.

https://www.foxla.com/news/university-announces-first-ever-masters-degree-in-happiness-studies-will-cost-students-17700

You can now buy happiness for the low, low cost of $17,700.


2 posted on 03/30/2022 8:56:41 AM PDT by throwthebumsout
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To: karpov

For mine, it was. It doubled the salary of everyone, on average.


3 posted on 03/30/2022 8:58:57 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: throwthebumsout

I know a guy that teaches a Happiness Class at UCLA, he asked why I am always so happy and cheerful and wanted advice to give his students. I told him that unless they THROW Away their TV’s, Dump the entire Entertainment Industry and all Social Media, they will NEVER be happy


4 posted on 03/30/2022 9:00:33 AM PDT by eyeamok (founded in cynicism, wrapped in sarcasm)
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To: karpov
The Numbers Are in: Are Graduate Degree Programs Worth It?

Undergraduate Degrees aren't even worth it, now.

5 posted on 03/30/2022 9:04:22 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Celebrate Decivilization)
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To: karpov

This pretty much confirms what I think that most people with common sense already know: if you want to be a doctor, lawyer or dentist, yes, you have to go to grad school. And it makes sense for a number of STEM careers. MBAs are a waste of time until you’re going to one of a handful of prestigious programs like Wharton or Harvard or Stanford.

Everything else... forget it. Or, I should say, forget it with respect to making any money on it. I mean, sure if it make you happy to have a master’s degree in dance or creative writing, do it but don’t expect any sort of return on your investment.


6 posted on 03/30/2022 9:05:14 AM PDT by irishjuggler
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To: irishjuggler

Only worth it if you can get your employers to pay for it.


7 posted on 03/30/2022 9:07:40 AM PDT by catman67 (14 gauge?)
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To: karpov
MBAs, MDs, DOs, DDSs, probably.

DVMs, maybe.

PHds, MSs, maybe, depending on if they're in a hard science.

MAs, probably not.

8 posted on 03/30/2022 9:24:53 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: karpov

My MBA was a pretty good investment. Wouldn’t have been able to get my current jobs without it.


9 posted on 03/30/2022 9:27:34 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Fauci is a despicable little turd)
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To: karpov

My MBA changed my life. I use the techniques I learned there not only in every aspect of my work, but in every aspect of my personal financial life. An MBA should be considered a liberal arts degree. It doesn’t just prepare you for a profession, it prepares you to live more wisely.


10 posted on 03/30/2022 9:28:11 AM PDT by babble-on
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To: babble-on
My MBA changed my life. I use the techniques I learned there not only in every aspect of my work, but in every aspect of my personal financial life. An MBA should be considered a liberal arts degree. It doesn’t just prepare you for a profession, it prepares you to live more wisely.

I would agree with that.

11 posted on 03/30/2022 9:39:54 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Fauci is a despicable little turd)
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To: karpov

My MBA has been helpful in my career. My JD on the other hand hasn’t done much for me - yes I passed the bar.


12 posted on 03/30/2022 9:40:31 AM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: babble-on

“My MBA changed my life. I use the techniques I learned there not only in every aspect of my work, but in every aspect of my personal financial life. An MBA should be considered a liberal arts degree. It doesn’t just prepare you for a profession, it prepares you to live more wisely.”

The same here. I got my MBA and stepped down from a crappy management job and worked as a top sales rep. for the same company for a dozen more years. Then, early retirement for a year and ran focus groups for another 6 years on my own.


13 posted on 03/30/2022 9:52:14 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Playing “Make Believe” is for liberal adults/children. It is past time to grow up!)
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To: catman67

“Only worth it if you can get your employers to pay for it.”

My MBA was paid for by the GI bill.


14 posted on 03/30/2022 9:54:24 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Playing “Make Believe” is for liberal adults/children. It is past time to grow up!)
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To: COBOL2Java; babble-on
My MBA was a pretty good investment.

And how old are you guys?

What about today's kids? Especially with the crappy woke professors of today

15 posted on 03/30/2022 9:54:34 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: qam1; babble-on
And how old are you guys?

I got my MBA in 1996

16 posted on 03/30/2022 9:56:20 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Fauci is a despicable little turd)
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To: qam1
What about today's kids? Especially with the crappy woke professors of today

You paint with a rather broad brush. Have you ever heard of Hillsdale College?

17 posted on 03/30/2022 9:58:51 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Fauci is a despicable little turd)
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To: karpov
A pharmacist + MBA degree can get you a 200-300k/year (or more) position. A regular BS or PharmD - about half that.

I regret not getting a master's and now I'm too old to consider it.
18 posted on 03/30/2022 10:05:36 AM PDT by farming pharmer (fork you :(){ :|:& };:)
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To: eyeamok

In the words of John Prine (”Spanish Pipedream”)
“Blow up your TV,
throw away your paper.
Go to the country,
build you a home.
Plant a little garden,
eat a lot of peaches.
Try an find Jesus on your own.”


19 posted on 03/30/2022 10:08:23 AM PDT by cephalopod (The sun shines bright in my new Kentucky home)
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To: Yo-Yo

You left off “STUDIES.” They make you incredibly stupid and cause your income to decline precipitously.


20 posted on 03/30/2022 10:09:30 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Sorry, I’m not a biologist.”)
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