If you are going to invest in a graduate degree, it is important that you know what your job opportunities are going to be after you get your graduate degree. Many people think that because they have a college degree, any degree, they will be able to ascertain a job that will pay them enough money to pay back their school loans within a specific amount of time.
Although a graduate degree can be a great investment, there are some degrees that are just not paying off for graduates. Before you take out loans for college, make sure that you consider these facts about the following degrees.
1. Master of Fine Arts Degree – The average student will pay $22,000 a term for this degree. After getting your degree, it can be very hard to get your first job if you do not have work experience and a portfolio that you have started to build up. Sometimes, an individual’s portfolio and experience will be held at a higher value than the degree that another applicant has.
2. Computer Engineering – Georgetown saw only a 16% boost in pay for students that graduate with their degree in computer engineering. It is important that students in this field develop a specific skill set or know how to work with a specific technology.
3. Public Relations, Advertising and Mass-Media Programs – Just like the MFA degree, the majority of employers are looking for experience and a portfolio, rather than a degree, in this field. It is important that students branch out and get that experience that they will need.
4. A Law Degree from a Fourth-Tier School – The loans that are usually required to pay for law school are difficult to pay off as jobs within the field of law are being eliminated.
5. Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology – The majority of government and private sector job positions that are open in this field do not require any type of graduate degree. There is only a 1% increase in pay for those that have their graduate degree.
