Should I go to grad school?
The short answer
Go only if the degree is the licensing gate for the job you want — medicine, law, clinical psychology, academia. For everything else, the ROI rarely beats two years of focused work.
Signals to weigh
- 01The role you want lists the degree as required, not preferred.
- 02You can name three graduates from the program working the job you want.
- 03Total cost — tuition plus 2 years of foregone income — pays back in under 7 years.
- 04You're moving toward something, not away from a job you hate.
How to decide
- Step 1List the job titles you want post-degree. Search LinkedIn for the actual degrees held.
- Step 2Compute total cost including opportunity cost, not sticker price.
- Step 3Talk to 5 alumni 3-5 years out. Ask what they'd do again.
- Step 4Apply and get in before deciding — an offer is data, wanting is not.
Framework used
Cost-Benefit Analysis →Full walkthrough of the framework, with examples and pitfalls.
Consider these alternatives
- ·A 6-12 month certificate or bootcamp if the skill gap is technical, not credential-based.
- ·An employer-sponsored part-time program if you can wait 1-2 years.
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