Anyone has ever considered going and paying for a graduate degree in US as an investment case?
If yes, has anyone of you really calculated the return on that investment based on objectives, cost, cash inflow, how do you finance it, risk and other factors?
Example
Objectives: career goal& plan
Cost( cash outflow)
-The initial investment for tuition fee, living cost
- The opportunity cost for being full-time student for 1.5 years
-The opportunity cost for not taking an alternative way (e.g instead of going to us, go to europe with lower tuition fee, or instead of going to us, try to get a scholarship which will reduce tuition cost, but then will have to compromise on school reputation etc...
Return( cash inflow)
- Knowledge learned
-Projected income & growth in career
-Intangible return: Growth in personalities, living experience, growth in network, friendship etc...
How will you finance your investment?
By equity( e.g your saving) or by debt ( loan) or both? What is the interest rate on debt? What is the oppotunity cost on your equity( e.g if you don't spend that for your tuition fee, can you invest it elsewhere etc..)
Risk
Has anyone of you conduct such kind of analysis to see if going for an mfe or master degree is a sound investment?
I know my idea might sound funny. Some might think the cost amount might not be deserved this kind of quantitative analysis, or it's hard to project the cash inflow etc...However utimately going to grad program is a kind of investment and I don't want it to be solely speculative. It might not need a great due-diligent like millions-dollar deals. Some basic analysis & calculation might help.
If you have done this kind of anysis before, it would be great if you can share with us here. Eventhough such analysis is highly subjective, I guess it still can benefit everyone who is considering going for a grad degree. Feel free to voice out if you think my idea is hilarious and this kind of analysis is wasted of time
(I spent my lunch break to time this post on my phone, haha)
If yes, has anyone of you really calculated the return on that investment based on objectives, cost, cash inflow, how do you finance it, risk and other factors?
Example
Objectives: career goal& plan
Cost( cash outflow)
-The initial investment for tuition fee, living cost
- The opportunity cost for being full-time student for 1.5 years
-The opportunity cost for not taking an alternative way (e.g instead of going to us, go to europe with lower tuition fee, or instead of going to us, try to get a scholarship which will reduce tuition cost, but then will have to compromise on school reputation etc...
Return( cash inflow)
- Knowledge learned
-Projected income & growth in career
-Intangible return: Growth in personalities, living experience, growth in network, friendship etc...
How will you finance your investment?
By equity( e.g your saving) or by debt ( loan) or both? What is the interest rate on debt? What is the oppotunity cost on your equity( e.g if you don't spend that for your tuition fee, can you invest it elsewhere etc..)
Risk
Has anyone of you conduct such kind of analysis to see if going for an mfe or master degree is a sound investment?
I know my idea might sound funny. Some might think the cost amount might not be deserved this kind of quantitative analysis, or it's hard to project the cash inflow etc...However utimately going to grad program is a kind of investment and I don't want it to be solely speculative. It might not need a great due-diligent like millions-dollar deals. Some basic analysis & calculation might help.
If you have done this kind of anysis before, it would be great if you can share with us here. Eventhough such analysis is highly subjective, I guess it still can benefit everyone who is considering going for a grad degree. Feel free to voice out if you think my idea is hilarious and this kind of analysis is wasted of time
(I spent my lunch break to time this post on my phone, haha)