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Will the amount of money I am taking out to get a degree, be worth it once I graduate?

I am taking out big loans to go to school, is it going to end up paying me back once I have my degree? #Spring25

college business spring25 business-management degree business-administration
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Matiullah’s Answer

Dear Young Dreamer,

I hope this message finds you full of questions, curiosity, and courage—because that’s where every great journey begins.

You asked for advice, and I want to speak to you not just as a student, but as someone who comes from the same soil of struggle and dreams.

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way:

If you start learning valuable skills from a young age, you won’t just be skilled—you’ll be a master. And one day, not just earning enough, but building something so big, you’ll call yourself a millionaire—not just in money, but in mindset and freedom.

We’re often told to follow the “traditional path”—12 years of school, then 4 years of university, and then apply for a job that may not even value your potential. That’s 16 years of waiting for permission to succeed.

But you don’t have to wait that long.

If you start now—whether it's graphic designing, content writing, coding, video editing, or any skill that solves real-world problems—you’re already ahead. You’ll be earning, learning, and growing while others are still waiting to be told what to do.

I’m not saying education is bad. A degree can open doors—but only if you’re already prepared to walk through them. Use your education as a tool, not a cage.

You have a choice:

Wait 16 years for someone to give you a job, or

Start now, build your own value, and create your own path.

I chose the second path. It wasn’t easy. I started learning skills while teaching children to earn money. I came from nothing, but I never let my circumstances limit my vision. Today, I’m working internationally, earning through content and design, and I’ve even been selected for a fully funded UAE scholarship.

And you know what? I’m just getting started—and so can you.

Start now. Stay consistent. Fail forward. And remember: Your future doesn’t depend on what you have today. It depends on what you’re willing to build, one day at a time.

I believe in you.

Warm regards,
Matiullah Khan
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Xin’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn,
Good Day!

First of all, congratulations on stepping into society and starting to think with a more mature, real-world perspective.
The cost-benefit ratio is indeed crucial. From my own experience, a degree is just the most basic entry ticket—unless you possess specialized skills or expertise in a certain field, which is a different story.
People who always judge others with prejudice, and in such cases, to a degree, can serve as our armor - a layer of protection.

Wishing you all the best!
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Susanne’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn, I'd say it depends what you would like to achieve in the end, i.e. what job you're after. In some cases you have to have a degree in order be able to apply for a graduate role. I wanted to become a project manager, so had to have a masters degree in management and it really provided me with a first step in the right direction understanding the basics of management. Nevertheless it might be worth checking if an apprenticeship might be more useful to you, as it can be hugely beneficial to learn on the job instead of theory only and in some cases you can earn some money straight away.
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Jeff’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn, that's a great question! It's really wise to avoid spending too much on a degree and to keep student debt low. A good way to start is by taking college courses at a local community college. These are usually cheaper and the credits often transfer to big universities. You might even stay at home while doing this to save money and finish basic courses.

It could also help to get a part-time job to pay for these classes and save up for when you transfer to a more expensive college for your junior and senior years.

It's smart to look into future job trends too. High-paying jobs in the future might be in fields like cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics. Check if local companies offer education benefits in exchange for work. That's how I got my start. I worked part-time at a big chemical company while in high school, and they later paid for my college. This led to a full-time job and even international assignments.

Working part-time during college can open up long-term career opportunities with exciting possibilities.
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Harry’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn. A great question. Debt is acceptable, but only to the extent it can be repaid. You need to ask a few hard questions. Can you avoid (or minimize) the debt somehow? What are you borrowing the funds for - tuition, books, food, paying rent? What is really necessary??? Do you need to go to a 4 year university? Can you save and attend a Community College for the first 2 years - and possibly work? Can you find cheaper living accommodations? After all, this is just temporary. Once you get that degree, you will be able to afford a better lifestyle. Sometimes making "short-term" sacrifices is worth it. You want to look back after you graduate and nut have a mountain of debt on your shoulders. Good luck with your "short-term" decisions Jessalyn
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Nneka’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn

I believe it depends on the loan debt, your field of study, and your post-graduation salary. A college degree is a positive investment your future due to higher earning potential. Tips to help decide if your degree is a good financial investment think about:

1. Make an informed choice: Research the average starting salaries and employment prospects to make an in formed decision.
2. Minimize borrowing by exploring options such as grants, scholarships even start off going to a Community college to begin.
3. Stick with it, complete your degree will be crucial.

Best of luck
Nneka
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Lauren’s Answer

If you are worried about the debt college will bring there is no harm in starting with a couple years of community college. It will save you money and give you more time to think about what you really want to do. Make sure you know yourself VERY well, and when you listen to the advice of others take it with a grain of salt. No one on this earth can know you better than you do. ;) no matter if someone says otherwise. I say this from personal experience.
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Karim’s Answer

It's worth it if: your degree helps you get a job that pays well and has steady growth. You're excited about it and have a clear plan. Plus, you use your time in college to learn new skills, meet people, and gain experience.

But it gets risky if: you take on a lot of debt and the job doesn't pay much. Or if you don't finish the degree. Or if you're not sure how the degree fits with your goals.

Good luck!
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April’s Answer

Hi Jessalyn,

I hope your day is going well!

Loans can be intimidating, but you can succeed while managing them. Here's what you can do:

1. Plan your career path carefully. Use a career path website to explore your options and find the best choices for you.

2. Be open to different fields or job titles. Getting your foot in the door is crucial.

3. Look at where you can start and the promotions you can aim for. This can boost your confidence and help you handle loans more effectively.

April recommends the following next steps:

You may be interested in doing computer coding all day long, and there are a million entry level roles you can try out that are in organizations with coding work. You may start off as a coding blogger, editor or an analyst!
After getting the first position, you can stand out one project at a time to earn those raises and promotions in the long term.
Another tip is to find an organization that may help repay those loans or pay for additional training for future classes. Your education does not stop with school.
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