Estimate your graduate degree pay bump with clarity. Compare costs timelines and expected earnings quickly. Plan smarter steps toward higher offers and raises today.
| Scenario | Current package | Post-grad package | Study months | Program cost | Support | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | $42,000 | $54,000 | 24 | $12,000 | $1,000 | 60% |
| Balanced | $42,000 | $64,000 | 18 | $14,000 | $2,000 | 75% |
| Aggressive | $50,000 | $80,000 | 12 | $18,000 | $5,000 | 85% |
BaselineGross(m) = (CurrentAnnual/12) × (1 + g_pre)^(m-1)IncrementalNet(m) = ExpectedPostNet(m) − BaselineNet(m) − StudyCosts(m)ExpectedPostNet blends baseline and post values using your probability.NPV = Σ IncrementalNet(m) / (1 + r)^(m/12)Graduate uplift often ranges from 10% to 35% in early career roles, but it varies by industry, location, and seniority. Tech, finance, and analytics roles can show higher step-ups when a credential unlocks a new job family. Use market offers, posted ranges, and alumni reports to set your post-graduation salary and bonus inputs.
Total study costs combine tuition, fees, and recurring monthly expenses like transport, materials, and relocation. An 18-month program with $14,000 tuition and $350 monthly extras adds $20,300 before support. Add exam fees, device upgrades, and travel days if they are likely. Part-time income reduces the cash gap, yet opportunity cost from reduced work hours is usually the biggest driver.
During study months, baseline earnings still compound via your “without graduation” growth rate, so delaying graduation reduces the apparent uplift. After graduation, compounding switches to the post-graduation growth rate, which captures faster promotion ladders in some fields. A 2% growth difference sustained for 10 years meaningfully changes cumulative net gain, especially when the starting uplift is large. Shorter horizons may miss long-run effects, while very long horizons increase uncertainty.
Not every plan results in the target package. The success probability applies after graduation, blending baseline and post-graduation earnings into an expected value. For example, a $2,000 monthly uplift at 75% probability becomes $1,500 expected uplift. Lower probability scenarios can still be attractive if costs are modest or growth is strong. Increase probability when you have internships, referrals, or a clear hiring pipeline.
Payback time shows when cumulative incremental net turns positive, while ROI compares total net gain to total study costs. NPV discounts future cash flows using your chosen rate, often 6% to 12% for personal decisions. Higher tax rates reduce net uplift, so use realistic brackets. Run conservative, balanced, and aggressive cases to stress-test salary, costs, duration, and probability before committing. If NPV stays positive across small changes, your plan is resilient; if it flips negative easily, focus on reducing cost or accelerating graduation this year.
Payback is driven by three levers: study duration, net monthly uplift after graduation, and total study costs. Longer programs delay the uplift while baseline earnings keep growing, so even small delays can add many months to payback.
Start with evidence: interview volume, internship conversion rates, and offer history in your target market. Use a lower value for career switches or highly selective roles. Raise it only when you have credible pathways such as referrals, portfolios, or pipeline programs.
Yes. It applies your tax rate to both baseline and post-graduation earnings to estimate net cash flow. It does not model progressive brackets, so choose a blended percentage that matches your typical effective rate.
Use a rate that reflects your opportunity cost and risk. Many people start near long-term inflation plus a personal return target, then test a range such as 6% to 12%. Higher rates penalize distant benefits and reduce NPV.
The baseline scenario grows while you study, so the comparison at graduation is higher than today. Study costs and reduced earnings can also offset early gains. If your projected post-graduation pay is close to baseline, uplift may be small or negative.
Yes. Add them as support to reduce out-of-pocket tuition. If support has conditions, run two cases: one assuming full support, and another assuming partial support to reflect the risk of losing the benefit.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.