Stay in the United States or Go Abroad for Grad School? What Factors to Consider.

Last week, we talked about what factors students should consider as they research online degree opportunities. Today, we’re focusing on another degree option that is gaining in popularity: International master’s degrees.

As the cost of tuition in the United States continues to rise, it’s logical that many students are looking at educational paths that require less debt and often less time. The majority of international MBA programs, for example, are only one year long (and thus are a year shorter than their US counterparts), as are many master’s programs. A shorter program, combined with a lower tuition price tag, can take a hefty bite out of the loans that can deter students from pursing an advanced degree.

Despite these benefits, there are a few extra factors to weigh with international degrees. If finances are a primary concern, then students need to be especially careful to factor in the costs that aren’t directly related to tuition, such as cost of living. A recent U.S. News article detailed this further, speaking to experts such as Andrew Schrage, the co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance. According to Schrage, “In addition to the cost of living, tuition rates and the time it will take them to earn a degree…students should also consider less obvious costs, such as airfare, passport and visa expenses, health insurance and foreign transaction fees on credit cards.”

Additionally, students need to research the career options for graduates of any program, regardless of location or name recognition. The same U.S. News article also spoke to Kaplan’s Director of GRE Programs, Lee Weiss, who cautions students thinking about an international degree to consider a school’s attractiveness to recruiters. Says Lee, “”What I hear from those students is that the options available to them are, by and large, in the area in which they studied…Very often students are more limited in their options to come back to the United States afterward. Does it mean it’s impossible? Certainly not, but you will probably have to do more leg work.”

The full article can be found here. The University Directory section of U.S. News’ website also has a Resource Center to help prospective applicants find the right school for them, determine the best source of funding their education, and much more.