Here’s Why a Master’s in Engineering Worth It

You’ll Make More Money
Of course, your salary as an engineer will depend somewhat on your specific field. For example, the median salary for chemical engineers with a bachelor’s degree is about $72,000, while it’s about $104,000 for electrical and computer engineers with the same credential. A master’s degree, however, will net you an average of $19,000 more a year — and you’d have trouble fitting that in your change jar, especially since it can add up to a cool half-million by the time you reach retirement. Even considering the opportunity cost of leaving the work force for a year to go back to school, your new, higher salary will allow you to recoup the costs of your degree within a decade. That’s assuming you do leave the workforce, however. Professional master’s degrees in fields like engineering are getting more popular, precisely because students today no longer have to leave the work force to go back to school. You can earn a Masters of Mechanical Engineering online; if that’s not your field, no worries — many reputable schools offer online MS in Engineering degrees in a range of engineering specialties. As an online student, you might even qualify for tuition assistance from your employer, enabling you to get a free or deeply discounted degree.You’ll Have More Prospects
Not only will you be able to command a higher salary with a master’s, you’ll also qualify for more jobs. It’ll be easier to advance in your career, whether you want to move up in your company or pursue a new position elsewhere. Many employers now want candidates with master’s degrees, and the extra credential will help you stand out from the crowd, especially in saturated fields like mechanical engineering.You’ll Be More Recession-Proof
A few years ago, you may not have given a master’s degree a second thought. But these days, it’s increasingly important to think about your long-term employability. You need to keep your skills fresh and prepare yourself to address not just the problems facing your industry today but those that are bound to come up in the future. A master’s in engineering offers you that path to greater job security.Rise to the Cutting Edge of Research in Your Field
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