Is It Worth It?
Now that I’m getting closer to starting, I’m also getting closer to signing on yet another dotted line to borrow even more money. My credit rating isn’t that great (grrr…incompetent billing departments in doctor’s offices…grrr) and I know I’ll pay through the nose. I make pretty good money now, but every penny is spoken for. I have 2 teenagers and a scattering of younger kids. They eat a lot and grow very quickly. Last week we dropped $1k on food and clothes, just like it was nothing.
So I’ve started looking into other people’s opinions about the value of getting that piece of paper. Not surprisingly, opinions vary. Studies and more rigorous examinations of the question don’t seem to find great value. Anecdotal evidence from people with MBA’s seem to show it’s worth it. Of course, these are the people successful enough to have internet access. They also have time to post, which means they’re rich or unemployed 
I guess it’s like anything else: you have to apply what you learn.
My main worry is that I’m planning on a good but no-name school. I won’t be going to keggers with the children of the rich and powerful. Will this lack of incriminating evidence keep me out of the big time?
Links
- Leaders? Or Just Pushy People with Pieces of Paper?
It takes more than a degree (but you knew that, right?) - An Executive Reflects On the Value of an M.B.A.
I like this guy:
But I resent these experts, because they also say that having children isn’t a wise financial strategy. Clearly, we have different values.
and
Personal traits like charm and experience figure heavily in post-M.B.A. success. If you’re a troll before you get an M.B.A., you won’t be Jack Welch after graduation — you’ll be a troll with an M.B.A
- Discovering the net present value of an MBA
It’s the schools’ fault that an MBA doesn’t mean as much - Critique says degree has little impact on income
From 2002, but interesting.
