Getting a master’s degree takes time and money, so wondering whether this might 'pay off' is natural. Many people question whether and when a master's degree is worth it, and when it is not.
In some careers like doctors or lawyers you need more than a bachelor's degree. So, there's no real decision other than where to go to school.
But there are other professions where having a master's degree might give you an edge. You don't 'need' one to land that entry-level job. But with competition high you wonder whether to return to school to stack the deck in your favor.
There are also intangible potential benefits of earning a master's to think about. Things like studying modern theories, trends and technology. We'll cover these points and a few more to help you weight the pros and cons.
A key concern about whether to pursue a master’s degree is whether it has the potential to help achieve goals. Common goals include:
It may thus be useful to identify why you want to pursue a master’s degree in the first place. Then you can research answers to the following:
There are a few resources to help you get to the bottom of these questions. One is to review job postings to get a sense of what employers seek. Another is to tap into your college alumni network and/or professional associations.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also has useful data. Here you’ll find information about entry-level education requirements. Plus, insights about hiring trends, job growth and salaries.
The average tuition and fees for a master’s degree program is about $17,385. This means some schools are more expensive while others more affordable.
Earning a master’s degree may come with financial rewards. But it still comes with obvious and hidden costs. For instance, many programs take about two years of full-time study. For recent undergrads, this may delay entering the workforce. Or, if you work part-time, you likely won’t earn as much.
That said, if you have your heart set on grad school, there are ways to reduce costs. Some possible options are to:
At last check, education still pays off in many cases. One study looked at average weekly salaries of fulltime workers age 25 and over. It found that persons with a master's degree earn $236 per week more that those with a bachelor's degree. That’s an average of $944 per month and $11,328 per year.
|
Degree |
Unemployment |
Median Usual |
|
Doctoral Degree |
1.6% |
$1,825 |
|
Professional Degree |
1.5% |
$1,884 |
|
Master’s Degree |
2.1% |
$1,434 |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
2.2% |
$1,198 |
|
Associate’s Degree |
2.8% |
$862 |
Source: BLS.gov
There are also a few career fields where having a master’s degree may lead to advancement (and more pay). These areas include business, finance, STEM, education, health care and others.
One report looked at specific job titles in each of these fields. Then compared average annual salaries of people with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
It found that those with a master’s degree earned from 14 to 89 % more per year depending on the job. Salaries vary by location, setting and as new data comes in. The table below shows some of these occupations and wage premiums.
|
Occupation |
% Workers with a |
% Workers with a |
Median Average Wage |
Median Average Wage |
Wage Premium ($) |
Wage Premium (%) |
|
|
Securities, Commodities and Financial Services Sales Agents |
54% |
16% |
$90,000 |
$170,000 |
$80,000 |
89% |
|
|
Financial Managers |
41% |
19% |
$78,000 |
$110,000 |
$32,000 |
41% |
|
|
Market Research Analysts |
54% |
23% |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
$25,000 |
38% |
|
|
Marketing Managers |
51% |
17% |
$80,000 |
$110,000 |
$30,000 |
38% |
|
|
Education Administrators |
23% |
46% |
$52,000 |
$75,000 |
$23,000 |
44% |
|
|
Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers |
33% |
14% |
$30,000 |
$43,000 |
$13,000 |
43% |
|
|
Postsecondary Teachers |
13% |
30% |
$43,800 |
$50,000 |
$6,200 |
14% |
|
|
Physician Assistants |
23% |
43% |
$66,000 |
$95,000 |
$29,000 |
44% |
|
|
Medical and Health Services Managers |
32% |
24% |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$20,000 |
29% |
|
|
Social Workers |
42% |
34% |
$40,000 |
$50,000 |
$10,000 |
25% |
|
|
Mathematicians, Statisticians and Related Areas |
32% |
38% |
$60,000 |
$80,000 |
$20,000 |
33% |
|
|
Information Security Analysts |
45% |
17% |
$85,000 |
$100,000 |
$15,000 |
18% |
|
|
Network Administrators |
39% |
11% |
$70,000 |
$88,000 |
$18,000 |
26% |
|
Source: BLS.gov
In some career fields, having a master’s degree may prepare you for new opportunities. One example is the field of nursing where changes are brewing. The profession is moving its entry level degree to the Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Many nurses enter the field with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an RN license. They earn an average of $71,730 per year and are in-demand. The need for Registered Nurses is also growing faster than average (15%) to 2026.
But to prepare for emerging roles and advanced nursing one needs an MSN degree. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is still the entry-point to these careers. Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists for instance. These roles are in very high demand (31% to 2026). Plus, they pay on average $113,930. That’s $42,200 more per year than for BSN-prepared RNs.
Another opportunity that may come hand-in-hand with a master’s degree is leadership. You might enter a wide range of careers with a bachelor's degree. But to step into a mid-senior executive role requires the skills set gleaned from grad school.
One example are financial advisors. A master’s degree and certification may bump up chances of advancement. If this is your goal, a wide range of masters in finance programs exist. Many are online which may suit you if you already have a job.
The same goes for IT Managers. Many enter the field with a bachelor's degree in computer or information science. But employers today seek candidates who also have a grad degree like the MBA or MS in Information Technology.
Are you getting the sense that pay, advancement and opportunity often link together? Make sure to research your chosen career to see if this is so. If you stand to make back in salary the cost of attending grad school, a master’s may be worth thinking about.
Whether you are able to pursue a PhD without a master’s varies by program. Many students in the U.S. do enter a PhD program with a bachelor's degree.
Others enter with a master's degree either because it is a criterion for admission. Or they want two degrees. Many schools roll a master's and PhD together if this is one of your aims.
Having a master’s degree may also help you reduce your PhD course load. Fewer credits may mean spending less on tuition. One example is Walden's PhD in Criminal Justice program. It waives some classes for those with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice or related degree.
Also, while an undergrad degree is often broad and general, not so with most master’s programs. Usually one studies techniques and theory. Then integrates the two in a final capstone project or thesis. This experience may yield solid set of qualitative and quantitative skills.
A PhD demands these skills plus a solid idea of what you want to research. If you are on the fence, a master's degree might set you up with a clearer focus. You’ll also have the experience of writing a master’s thesis under your belt.
Here are 5 other careers where you need a PhD to conduct research. But you may be able to enter the field in a more general way with a master’s degree.
Take away? A master’s degree may be a useful step if a PhD and/or independent research is your goal. It is a way to study more in depth and can be a preparation for a specific career.
On the whole, occupations that need a master’s degree will grow at an average rate of 18.4% over the next few years. High growth fields usually feature more jobs.
In some such occupations, you might need a master’s degree to qualify for entry-level jobs. In others a master’s degree may help you land a promotion, but you don't need one to launch a career.
Below are examples of careers where a master’s degree is an entry point. In some cases, this means that getting ahead may require a doctorate degree.
|
Occupation |
Entry-level Education |
2018 Median Pay |
|
Elementary, Middle, High School Principals |
Master’s (E.g. Masters in Educational Leadership) |
|
|
Postsecondary Educators |
Master’s (E.g. Masters in Student Affairs) |
|
|
Genetic Counselor |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Biomedical Engineering) |
|
|
Occupational Therapist |
||
|
Orthotist and Prosthetist |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Orthotics) |
|
|
Physician Assistant |
||
|
Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Nursing) |
|
|
Speech Language Pathologist |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology) |
|
|
Epidemiologist |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Public Health (MPH) |
|
|
Anthropologist |
Master’s (E.g. Masters in Anthropology) |
|
|
Computer and Information Research Scientists |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Computer Science) |
|
|
Economist |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Applied Economics) |
|
|
Historian |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Arts in History) |
|
|
Political Scientist |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Public Policy (MPP) |
|
|
Urban Planner |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in City & Regional Planning) |
|
|
Survey Researcher |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Data Analytics) |
|
|
Instructional Coordinator |
Master’s (Master’s in Instructional Technology) |
|
|
Librarian |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Library Science) |
|
|
Sociologist |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Sociology) |
|
|
Marriage and Family Therapist |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy) |
|
|
Rehabilitation Counselor |
Master’s (E.g. Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling) |
|
|
School and Career Counselors |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in School Counseling) |
|
|
Mathematicians and Statisticians |
Master’s (E.g. Master of Science in Mathematics) |
If a master’s degree is an entry-point to your chosen field, make sure to research options. There are 3 main formats (blended hybrid, online and on-campus). You’ll also want to double-check any state licensure rules and verify accreditation.
Master's degrees that end up being "worth it" are ones where there is a return on your investment. This may happen when:
Here are eleven popular masters degrees. We've paired them with some examples of careers to highlight their potential usefulness.
Also known as Master of Business Administration, an MBA covers key business skills. Then helps students apply managerial practice to a concentration area. Top executives of large corporations often have one. On the flip side, experience may be an invaluable substitute.
To become a clinical social worker, you need a Master of Social Work. You also need 2 years of post-degree supervised practice. These things ready you to take licensure exams, a rule in most states. Make sure you look for MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Like an MBA, a Master of Public Administration is a professional degree. It blends studies in leadership and policy analysis. If you want to manage a nonprofit or pursue a C-suite role in public agencies, it may be useful.
Some companies prefer to hire HR managers with a Master’s in Human Resources. Such programs often cover the finer points of labor relations, and benefits. They may also help you become familiar with new software and employment laws.
A Master’s in Accounting may help bachelor’s prepared accountants prepare for the CPA exam. The rule in most states is 150 semester hours of college coursework. This is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Most MAcc programs fill this gap.
Engineers who want to gain business skills may pursue a master’s degree. There are two options to the MBA. The Master’s in Engineering Management (MEM or MsEM) or technology management (MSTM). These programs often focus on how to manage complex projects and large teams. Many go back to school while working.
Physician Assistants (PAs) need a master’s degree from an accredited PA program. This is one of the fastest growing careers, with 37% more jobs on the horizon by 2026. It’s an option for registered nurses and others with patient care experience. Usually taking 2 years of full-time study, they cover clinical rotations and lots of labs.
Many medical and health services managers today have a master’s degree. A common path is the Master of Healthcare Administration or MHA. Such programs focus on the business side of the industry. They often include courses in budgeting, staffing, health economics, IT and health care law. Job prospects are great (20% growth to 2026) and more so with a grad degree.
Cyberattacks are on the rise and so is the need for skilled analysts. Estimates show that employment of InfoSec analysts may grow 56 % to 2026. Especially in computer systems design and related services. If this is your goal, there are a wide range of Cybersecurity Masters programs. These often stack relevant technical skills with leadership training.
Most statisticians have a master's degree (or PhD). Common paths are mathematics, economics, computer science, or data science. These programs often set students up with the technical skills to manage and make sense of big data. Growth in this area is not slowing down - 33% more jobs forecasted to 2026.
Employment in education-related careers is on the rise by 9% to 2026. You do not always need a master’s to begin a teaching career. But in some states, you'll need one after you have a teaching certification and a job. Or to earn more (see table). For career switchers there are Master of Arts in Teaching programs. MAT programs often pave the way to a first teaching license as long as you have a bachelor's degree in any field.
The benefits of a master's degree might include:
But not in every situation. As such, it is a good idea to assess some options. Here are a few to think about.
In 2016–17, postsecondary schools conferred 805,000 master’s degrees. The most popular fields are:
Take away? In some fields a master’s degree may help you achieve your goals. In others, the cost of getting a degree may outweigh the benefits.
Finding the perfect solution for you will take a bit of homework. You need to research whether a master’s degree lines up with your industry, goals, and regional job market. Then search to find the program that may match your lifestyle and career path.