Pursuing a Master’s degree or a Ph.D is what some may consider a waste of time and money, due to the astronomical cost of tuition and fees as well as the commitment that graduate-level courses demand.
For those who aim to become college professors, they must pursue their master’s and then even Doctorate, but what about those who want to start companies, create products and services, pursue writing outside of the classroom or operate other career fields?
Dr. Brownson, a Professor of English at Winthrop and the Director of the Master of Liberal Arts Program provided her expertise on the subject.
“This is a good question, and the answer varies widely depending on the discipline,” said Dr. Brownson.
The question of whether or not graduate school is worth it ultimately goes back to the kind of master’s degree or discipline one seeks. The discipline earning the highest average salary for graduates with master’s degrees in 2020 was Computer Science, starting at $79,793, according to Statistica.
But don’t dismiss other areas of discipline. Though STEM fields show higher averages in salary, employers still value liberal arts. Fifty-one percent of employers find the concept of a liberal education to be “very important,” according to Hart Research Associates, which is available on Winthrop’s College of Arts and Sciences page.
By the year 2029, post baccalaureate enrollment is projected to increase by three percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Given this projection, there are some concerns that it could become more difficult to obtain higher paying jobs for those who only have a bachelor’s degree.
“I very much support graduate education, and I encourage anybody who wants to stand out to pursue graduate education in the form of degrees and certificates,” Brownson continued, “But I do not think a master’s degree will be required for people to compete for the jobs they want, since most employers want the critical thinking, critical writing, and oral communication skills that are developed at Winthrop and other institutions.”
Still, for many people already in the midst of their professional careers, earning a master’s degree could open up the possibility of an increase in their salary.
Before enrolling in graduate school, search on sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor or Google for the kind of jobs you want, and take note of their requirements. If you see a common theme that the position requires a master’s degree or a doctorate, that is a realistic sign that one would be unlikely to be hired or obtain an interview for those positions without the post baccalaureate degree. It is also important to do local research for the desired jobs, as states and countries vary when it comes to their specific qualifications and credentials.
Identifying places you may like to live in the future could be helpful, as some states may have more competition in which a graduate degree could provide an advantage.
Overall, whether established professionally or about to graduate with a bachelor’s, pursuing a post baccalaureate degree is a big decision to make. While a master’s or doctoral degree may not be necessary for every career, the knowledge gained and discipline executed to achieve it are invaluable and should be admired.
Photo by Olivia Esselman
