A master’s degree is still seen as the “smart” move.

That’s why so many people consider it at some point. Either right after graduating or a few years into working.

But once you start looking into it, the answers aren’t that clear.

You’ll see people say it helped them break in. You’ll also see people with the same degree stuck in the same roles they were trying to get out of.

So now you’re left trying to figure out whether it’s worth it… without a clear way to evaluate it.

That’s where most people guess.

Where are you at right now? I’m thinking about going back to school I already graduated and I’m debating it I’m working but unsure if it’s worth returning I’m trying to figure out if a master’s will change anything

​Is work experience better than a master’s degree? →​

---

🧠 Tyler’s Take: To MBA or not to MBA

Inspired by last week's Human of GradSimple, Jackson Y.​

When people talk about going back to school, the reasoning usually comes down to interest, timing, or lack of options.

What rarely gets discussed is what it needs to return to make sense financially.

Jackson spent decades inside both the private sector and higher education. One thing he said stuck with me. A lot of people treat education like something you consume, not something you invest in.

Most end up paying for it like an investment, but deciding on it like consumption.

A master’s degree, MBA, or grad program can cost years of income and a significant amount of money. At the same time, the decision often comes down to interest in the subject or a general belief that more education will improve things.

Hope is not a strategy.

There are cases where further education makes complete sense. Licensed professions. Clear career paths. Programs with strong placement outcomes. Situations where the numbers work out.

But outside of that, the burden is on you to know what you’re getting into.

What does this path lead to in a few years? What kind of roles does it realistically open up? How much do those roles pay? What are you giving up to get there?

If those answers aren’t clear, you’re making a high-cost decision with incomplete information.

That’s not a bet worth making lightly.

Education can still be worth it. It just needs to be treated like what it is: an investment.

— Tyler

P.S. Does your friend need to hear this? Forward this to them!

P.S.S. Don't know how to calculate the ROI of a Master's? Check out this guide!

---

🌟 GradSimple Insiders This month, Insiders got an uncut conversation with Jackson Y., a PhD and former Director at NUS Business School, including his honest take on when grad school helps your career and when it quietly sets you back. Curious what else is inside? ​See what Insiders get → ​

---

👀 Ricky Brain

TikTok and YouTube gifts from yours truly, Ricky the GOAT (raccoon)! All you gotta do is click the video. You're welcome.

---

How's finding your career really going? We feature stories from people figuring things out in real time. It'll get shared with 6,000+ readers going through the same thing! ​👉🏽 Become a Human of GradSimple →​

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.​
​Break our hearts and unsubscribe :( | Change Your Preferences | 113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205