Grad School 101

Value of Graduate & Professional Degrees

The decision to pursue a graduate or professional degree is an important personal and financial one. Before enrolling, consider your career goals, the field you want to enter, the programs and schools available to you, and the potential return on your investment.

A graduate or professional degree can offer many potential benefits. Depending on your field and career goals, an advanced degree may help you:

• Qualify for careers or positions that require an advanced credential
• Develop specialized knowledge and professional skills
• Advance within your current career
• Prepare for a career change
• Expand your professional network
• Increase your long-term earning potential

While graduate and professional degrees are associated with higher earnings, they do not guarantee a particular salary or career outcome. Earnings vary considerably by occupation, program of study, location, experience, and other factors. When considering the financial value of a degree, look beyond national average and research employment and salary data for the specific career you plan to pursue.

Changes in technology and the labor market may create the need for workers to develop new skills, update their existing skills, or earn credentials or specialized skills required for certain professions. Depending on your career path, a graduate or professional degree may be one way to gain those qualifications.