What’s It Worth? A Nuanced Evaluation of the Pecuniary Value of Graduate Degrees

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Labor Market Outcomes of Postsecondary Education

Abstract

Given the ascendance of interest in post-baccalaureate degrees and the steep costs associated with such pursuits, it is critical to understand the financial net benefits that result from graduate degrees. Currently, we know very little about the return to graduate education, particularly in view of nuances such as employment status during graduate school and the risk of non- completion. This void is partly due to the complexities of performing such an analysis and to limited data on graduate students. In this study, we compile recent data from multiple sources and build upon a recent study that introduces a method for calculating returns to Bachelor’s degrees to provide updated and improved measures of the return to Master’s and doctoral degrees.

Authors

• Denisa Gandara, University of Georgia - Athens

• Robert Kevin Toutkoushian, University of Georgia