College Graduates --- How in debt are you?

[PhilistineEars]

I've been following this phenomenon since I graduated five years ago... I live in the US and student loan debt has overtaken credit card debt in America, which is an alarming prospect. In the US, student loan debt is "non-dischargeable" meaning if you can't pay you cannot claim bankruptcy to have the courts rule you don't have to pay. The only debt in the US that has that protection... so you can guess who wrote that into the fine print.

I'm curious to see how other people have fared... So, if you dare, give your stats:

Country where you studied:
Degree Level: Associates, Bachelors... etc.
Graduation Date (Expected Date):
Private/Public University:
Major(s):
Are you employed in your field of study?:
Occupation right out of university:
Current Occupation:
Salary right out of university (very optional):
Salary today (if different than above, again very optional):
Was your degree worth it?:

So Me...

Country where you studied:USA

Degree Level: B.S.

Graduation Date (Expected Date): 2006

Private/Public University: Public

Major(s):Environmental Science

Student Loan debt at graduation: $38,349

Are you employed in your field of study?: Yes

Occupation right out of university: Environmental Specialist I

Occupation: Environmental Project Manager

Starting Salary out of university (very optional):$33,250

Salary today (if different than above, again very optional): $70,200

Was your degree worth it?: Yes, but a lot of this was because of good timing... I found a job just before the economy went to hell and gained enough experience to be hired at a better company. If the economy went south before then, I would have said no.

I'd like this to turn into a discussion on how we got to where we are and how to help others in the same situation. Give guidance and resources or moral support to those that need it.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

i'll get back to this in a year or two.
i'm a super junior presently, but i'll fill it out to the best of my knowledge.
fortunately, though i've got very little to my name, my mom works for the university which offers many benefits. it's not a common perk, but i managed to get through all of last year living at home, on her health insurance plan, getting by with my pell grant. this year will be different since i opted to live in a dorm (never have). also, i have two years without her job benefit where i only passed half of the year. higher education will always be worth it if you ask me. you're more qualified for every position, you've got statistics on your side for just about everything... even if you end up in retail at least you save money on your car insurance. :thumbsup:

Country where you studied:USA

Degree Level: B.A.

Graduation Date (Expected Date): 2013

Private/Public University: Public

Major(s):Journalism

Student Loan debt at graduation at present?: $15,000(ish)

Are you employed in your field of study?: n/a

Occupation right out of university: Journalist, probably freelancer (like spiderman =])

Occupation:

Starting Salary out of university (very optional):

Salary today (if different than above, again very optional):

 

[Arseface]

This doesn't really apply to the course I'm doing right now because:

• It's very cheap. The Government subsidises a significant amount of it, so we only have to pay about $2000 for the full two years, and we managed to get through it without a loan.
• I'm doing it in Australia, so I don't know if there is even an equivalent overseas.
• It's not a degree level course. Doing an Advanced Diploma.
• It's a music degree, so it means I'll basically be self-employed after it's over.

As far as how I got there? I basically went through the course guide at my school and picked a few that I liked, and managed to get accepted into this one. I really don't know if American/UK/Whatever schools have a similar thing, but that's what I did.

Will hopefully be doing a Bachelor next year though and be paying through the nose for it.

 

[PhilistineEars]

i'll get back to this in a year or two.
i'm a super junior presently, but i'll fill it out to the best of my knowledge.
fortunately, though i've got very little to my name, my mom works for the university which offers many benefits. it's not a common perk, but i managed to get through all of last year living at home, on her health insurance plan, getting by with my pell grant. this year will be different since i opted to live in a dorm (never have). also, i have two years without her job benefit where i only passed half of the year. higher education will always be worth it if you ask me. you're more qualified for every position, you've got statistics on your side for just about everything... even if you end up in retail at least you save money on your car insurance. :thumbsup:

Country where you studied:USA

Degree Level: B.A.

Graduation Date (Expected Date): 2013

Private/Public University: Public

Major(s):Journalism

Student Loan debt at graduation at present?: $15,000(ish)

Are you employed in your field of study?: n/a

Occupation right out of university: Journalist, probably freelancer (like spiderman =])

Occupation:

Starting Salary out of university (very optional):

Salary today (if different than above, again very optional):

Journalism... fight the good fight and keep the world honest man. Given everything, I disagree with college always being worth it. Because the mantra of college = good paying job and better life everyone and their dog goes. It's as predictable as the salmon swimming back to their birthplace to mate. Colleges are selling an overvalued product that, in reality, has been diluted by selling it wholesale to everyone. B.A./B.S. degree is now as common place as a diploma. You do not stand out anymore and, in an economy where you're up against the unemployed with 20 years experience it's tough.

I am not advocating everyone stop going to college. I would ask people to consider what they're getting for the amount they're spending. Since most people do not have the benefit of a parent working at the school (which is awesome by the way) loans can add up quickly if they are not diligent and honest with themselves. The discount on car insurance of, maybe 25$/mo, does not outstrip the 300/- 600/mo loan repayment of most undergrads. One should ask if coming out of school with $50,000+ debt in a very soft economy is worth it.

This doesn't really apply to the course I'm doing right now because:

• It's very cheap. The Government subsidises a significant amount of it, so we only have to pay about $2000 for the full two years, and we managed to get through it without a loan.
• I'm doing it in Australia, so I don't know if there is even an equivalent overseas.
• It's not a degree level course. Doing an Advanced Diploma.
• It's a music degree, so it means I'll basically be self-employed after it's over.

As far as how I got there? I basically went through the course guide at my school and picked a few that I liked, and managed to get accepted into this one. I really don't know if American/UK/Whatever schools have a similar thing, but that's what I did.

Will hopefully be doing a Bachelor next year though and be paying through the nose for it.

That sounds like an associate degree curriculum. These we would get at a Junior College type institution that would lead to an entry at a four year university and enter as a junior. Makes good money sense to do this, since JC's are a fraction of the cost.

 

[D3m190d]

Ha! Another thread that doesn't apply to HB, and he'd be like ''I'm 14 and what it is''.

 

[Necromancer]

I've been at college for less than three days, so... :|