question about grad school costs

[steve2470]

My son might pursue a Ph.D. in music one day and be a music professor. Maybe not. Is it reasonable to assume student loans up to $100K for that ? I'm only asking about grad school costs and NOT including undergrad. He would probably go to a state school here in Florida, unless he moves. Thanks for your time.

Steve

[femmocrat]

1. Is he in college yet?

You can save a lot of money on undergrad by going to a community college for two years and commuting from home. Then, transfer to a state university and get teaching credentials. If he gets hired as a teacher, many districts will pay all or part of grad school. It is a common path for some in the teaching profession and a great way to get a master's for free or at reduced cost. Then pursue the doctorate!

Good luck to your son and best wishes on his music career.

[steve2470]

2. good ideas and thank you ! :) nt

[steve2470]

6. oh he's not in college yet, forgot to answer your question lol

He's enjoying adulthood and working 60 hours a week to survive on minimum wage. Hopefully he will get super motivated for college sooner rather than later, but of course that's his call. I'd rather him work an extra year or two than goof off in school and flunk out, etc.

[antiquie]

3. Here's a link with cost information.

http://www.sfa.ufl.edu/basics/cost-of-attendance/
http://www.arts.ufl.edu/music/resources/admissions_Grad.asp

[steve2470]

4. $28,290 a year, yea that adds up over...5 years ?

Thanks for the links !

[JVS]

5. If after his bachelor's, he is a serious prospect for an academic career, grad school should...

offer funding. This would usually be in the form of a stipend for being a teaching assistant, or maybe a fellowship. Saving up some money would be good though because stipends are not lavish by any means.

[LisaL]

7. Graduate schools do offer funding, but I believe it doesn't apply to all areas of education.

[noamnety]

8. I didn't do loans at all for grad school.

I got a full time job, and took one or two classes at a time until I finished. That was a pace where I could keep up with tuition costs instead of piling up debt. Back when I was young, it was assumed all college was full time, and maybe you could do a part time job while studying. I think it makes more sense nowadays to flip that.

[locks]

9. my son-in-law teaches music at college level

I have learned it is very difficult to find teaching jobs in music all over the US and most of the professors are adjunct, do not get tenure or benefits and often teach at more than one school. Makes it extremely difficult to pay off loans for grad school even at state schools. Some of the finest music schools' budgets have been cut and tuition raised out of the reach of many talented students.

[steve2470]

10. this is invaluable input....I will relay this to my son

He doesn't want to be a full-time performer, so he's settled, for now, on the idea of being a professor. He may ultimately decide just to have music as a hobby and do something far more boring like sell insurance LOL I'm joking, but at least I want him to know the facts before he wastes time and money.

To all who have responded: Thank you very much. It is much appreciated.