What Is the Payoff for Going Back to School?

A graduate degree can be the ticket to a better career or the stepping stone to advancement in your current job. But by the time you factor in lost income (or the stress of keeping a job and going to night school) and the inevitable student loans, is it really worth it? We can't answer the stress question, but this calculator can help you weigh the actual costs versus the fiscal benefits. Note that the help screens emphasize stats for business and law students.