According to recent reports, it is predicted that 2.4 million jobs in 2024 will require at least a graduate degree. This shows the increased demand for graduate degree holders in the coming years.
So, if you are considering pursuing a graduate degree, let me tell you the median salary earned by the graduate degree holder is $108,316.
Worth it! Isn’t it?
In this article, I have provided a detailed guide to what exactly a graduate degree is, the types of graduate degrees, and the cost you will need to complete a higher degree.
Let’s get straight into it!
What is a Graduate Degree?
| Aspect | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degree | Professional Degree |
| Average Duration | 1-3 years | 3-7 years | 3-4 years |
| Average Cost (US) | $30,000 – $120,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 per year | $150,000 – $400,000 total |
| Expected Starting Salary | $50,000 – $100,000+ | $60,000 – $120,000+ | $70,000 – $180,000+ |
| Career Paths | – Management roles – Specialized positions – Research roles | – University professor – Research scientist – Senior management | – Lawyer – Medical doctor – Dentist |
| Admission Requirements | – Bachelor’s degree – GRE/GMAT scores – Letters of recommendation | – Master’s degree (sometimes) – High GPA – Research experience | – Bachelor’s degree – Specific entrance exams (LSAT, MCAT, DAT) |
| Focus | Advanced study in a specific field | Original research and scholarly work | Practical training for specific professions |
| Thesis/Dissertation | Often required, but not always | Required | Not typically required |
| Funding Opportunities | – Teaching assistantships – Research assistantships – Scholarships | – Full funding is often available – Stipends – Research grants | – Limited scholarships – Mostly self-funded or loans |
Note: The figures in this table are averages and can vary significantly based on factors such as the specific program, institution, location, and field of study. Salaries can also differ widely depending on the industry, location, and individual performance.
A graduate degree is a higher academic program you pursue after getting your bachelor’s degree.
Graduate degrees are typically more specialized than bachelor’s degrees, and they can lead to higher-paying jobs and more opportunities for advancement.
Many students often enroll for graduate degrees to open various opportunities to get higher salaries, more jobs, or a step toward research.
Three major types of graduate degrees allow you to specialize further in the subject.
Let’s now understand what are the types of graduate degrees.
Types of Graduate Degrees
The most common graduate degree is a master’s degree. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Master’s degree
Master’s degrees are the most common type of graduate degree. Depending on the program and your schedule, they typically take one to two years to complete.
Master’s degrees are offered in a wide variety of fields, including arts and humanities, science and technology, and business.
Master’s degrees require students to take coursework and complete a thesis or a research project.
On average, a master’s degree holder earns $75,000 to $95,000 each year.
Did You Know? A typical master’s degree requires between 30 and 60 credit hours.
2. Professional Doctorate Degree
Professional degrees are designed to prepare students for specific careers, such as law, medicine, and dentistry.
A professional degree takes up to four years to complete and often requires students to complete an internship or residency.
This degree also requires completing coursework, clinical rotations, and a capstone project.
3. Doctorate Degree
This degree is the highest level of academic degree, and they are typically pursued by students who want to become researchers or professors.
Doctorate degrees typically take four to eight years to complete, and they require students to complete coursework, research, and a dissertation.
The doctorate degree holder typically earns an average salary of around $108,316 annually.
How Long it Takes to Get a Graduate Degree?
The duration of a graduate degree is majorly dependent on the type of your program.
The time you require to complete a graduate program depends on the following factors:
- Type of degree that you want to pursue
- Desired subject area
- Type of institution
The majority of the master’s degree takes one or two years to complete for full-time students. In contrast to that, a Ph.D. degree takes around 6 years to complete.
Similarly, the professional doctorate degree requires core research and practice in the related field. This takes around 7 to 12 years to complete a professional doctorate degree (including undergraduate studies).
Meanwhile, for part-time students, a master’s degree usually takes longer than a full-time degree. It takes more than three years to pursue a master’s degree for part-time students. This depends on how many credits they enroll for each semester.
Similarly, for some intensive professional degrees like MD, it can take up to eight years to complete the degree.
Skills Gained in Graduate Degree Programs
Graduate degree programs can provide students with many skills, both hard and soft skills.
Hard skills are specific to a particular field or discipline, while soft skills are more general and can be applied to a variety of jobs.
Following are some of the skills that you will gain with the help of graduate degree programs:
- Advanced knowledge of a particular subject area
- Critical thinking skills
- Research skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Leadership skills
- Writing and editing skills
- Presentation skills
- Technical skills specific to the field of study
- Time management skills
In addition to these specific skills, graduate degree programs can also help students develop their professional networks and build their resumes.
Requirements of Graduate Degree
The requirements for the graduate degree vary depending on the institution, subject, or if it is a culminating degree or not.
The most common requirement for a graduate degree is an undergraduate degree in a related subject as a base.
Other than this, you need to follow the following requirements:
- Most schools require an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- You have to complete the prerequisites before applying to the technical, specialized, or medical master’s degrees. For example, specific courses in intermediate accounting and auditing are required for an M.S. in Accounting.
- Moreover, the GRE or GMAT score is required for many graduate programs. But if you meet the specific GPA criteria some programs might waive this requirement.
- Other than this, you need documents like:
- Your educational transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Portfolio of your research if necessary
- Academic or professional recommendations
- Your resume, if needed
Bonus: Access comprehensive guides on crafting a compelling Statement of Purpose and effective Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School applications.
Cost of Graduate Degree
The cost of a graduate degree depends on the program of study, the type of institution, and the school’s location.
In general, the graduate degrees are more expensive than the undergraduate degrees.
According to NCES data, the average total cost of a graduate program in the US is $65,134. This includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses.
Tuition and fees are the largest expenses associated with graduate school. The average cost of tuition and fees for a graduate degree at a public institution is $12,394 per year, while the average cost at a private institution is $26,621 per year.
Other than that, the cost required for the books and supplies for a graduate degree is $1,200 each year.
Similarly, other expenses associated with graduate school include transportation, personal expenses, and professional development costs. The average cost of these expenses is $15,000 per year.
Benefits of a Graduate Degree
Pursuing a graduate degree not only benefits you with greater expertise but also helps you gain higher job opportunities.
1. Higher salaries:
Graduate degree holders typically earn higher salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
As per the data from US BLS, the average weekly earnings for professionals with a master’s degree in 2021 were $1,490, compared to $1,300 for workers with a bachelor’s degree and $880 for workers with only a high school diploma.
2. More job opportunities:
A graduate degree can open up more job opportunities and lead to more advancement opportunities. According to a 2022 survey by the NACE, 92% of employers plan to hire new college graduates in 2023, and 63% of employers plan to hire graduate students.
3. Networking opportunities:
Graduate programs allow students to network with other professionals in their field. This can lead to job opportunities, mentorship relationships, and research collaborations.
4. Greater expertise:
A graduate degree can help you develop greater expertise in your field of study. This can make you more competitive in the job market and lead to more rewarding and challenging work.
Undergraduate vs Graduate Degree
Let’s check the differences between these two educational paths to help you make an informed choice.
| Aspect | Undergraduate Degree | Graduate Degree |
| Duration | 3 – 4 years (full-time) | 1-3 years (full-time) |
| Focus | Broad knowledge base | Specialized knowledge |
| Admission Requirements | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor’s degree |
| Coursework | General education + major-specific courses | Advanced, research-oriented courses |
| Class Size | Often larger | Usually smaller |
| Research Involvement | Limited | Extensive |
| Career Preparation | Entry-level positions | Advanced or leadership roles |
| Degree Types | Associate’s, Bachelor’s | Master’s, Doctoral |
Choosing between an undergraduate and graduate degree depends on your career goals, interests, and current educational level.
An undergraduate degree provides a solid foundation and opens doors to many entry-level positions. A graduate degree offers specialized knowledge and can lead to advanced career opportunities.
Consider your personal and professional goals carefully when making this important decision.
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Final Verdict
Earning a graduate degree is a valuable investment for your future.
It can help you to achieve your career goals and gain more personal fulfillment.
So, if you are considering gaining a graduate degree, start researching the institute you want to enroll in, the cost and time you will need to invest, and possible career opportunities.
What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comment section below.
FAQs
Typically, a graduate degree holder earns more than $65,000 each year.
Depending upon the type of graduate degree, it takes more than 1.5 years to 7 years to earn a graduate degree. A master’s degree usually takes 2 years to complete, while a Ph.D. or professional degree takes 5 to 6 years.
The average cost of a graduate degree varies according to various factors. According to the reports from NCES, the average total cost of a graduate program in the US is $65,134.
