This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

What can a graduate degree do for you?

Higher education is an investment that appreciates in value. Over time, you will realize dividends on the time and money that you invest in an advanced degree.

It seems everyone is talking about the high price of higher education these days. Every time a school announces a college tuition increase, it seems to make media headlines.

If only there were more news stories on the consequences of being undereducated in today's knowledge-based society.

I'll grant you that higher education is a big-ticket item--one of the biggest. But higher education is also an investment that appreciates in value, just like other solid investments. Over time, you will realize dividends on the time and money you put into an advanced degree: increased earnings and quite often a corresponding increase in job satisfaction.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you are uncertain about the R.O.I. of graduate school programs, consider that the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has devoted a web page to this topic, with the headline, "Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates." Also, consider their data regarding 2011 median weekly earnings and education level, which you can read for yourself here:

On average, those with a master's degree will earn $1,263 a week, or $200 a week more than someone with a bachelor's degree (or nearly twice as much as someone with a high school diploma). Consider that over a lifetime, a master's degree in education represents almost $500,000 in increased earnings, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In my own field of marketing & communications, I can expect to realize in excess of $220,000 in increased lifetime earnings over what I'd have earned with a bachelor's degree. That's an extraordinary return on an investment of roughly $20,000.

Also, consider the fact that the more education you have, the less likely you are to be unemployed. The Bureau of Labor & Statistics reports that the unemployment rate for those with a master's degree is only 3.6%, compared to 4.9% for a bachelor's degree and 9.4% for a high school diploma.

Lately, Holy Family University has been asking the question, "What can an advanced degree do for you?" in a variety of advertisements. That's because alumni from our graduate programs have earned capstone positions as school principals, directors of nursing, CEO's and COO's, department directors, and hundreds of other leadership positions.

Besides the increased work satisfaction that comes with increased responsibility and the privilege of doing a job you enjoy, obtaining an advanced degree is still the most reliable way to increase your earning power over time.

If you'd like to find out more about the value of a graduate degree, you are welcome to attend a graduate open house on November 14 at Holy Family University -- Newtown, beginning at 6 pm. Or contact the Graduate Admissions Office 267.341.3327 or by emailing gradstudy@holyfamily.edu.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?