Paying for MPH

[Nafis64]

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How are people paying for their MPH degree? JHU is 50,000 but I didn't get their scholarships, and my package will be mostly loans. Is there scholarships out there?

Not sure what I am getting myself into. people were able to pay off loans after finishing right?

 

[Regression]

They do, but at great expense.

MPH degrees are assets, but they come at a price--one that may or may not pay off in the end depending on what you want to do.

I'm taking a few years off to pay off my UG loans and start saving money to minimize the amount of loans I need to take out in the future for my MPH (along with applying to in-state public schools and schools I feel I'm competitive enough to get scholarships/fellowships/assistantships from the get-go).

Most careers in public health seem to get people in middle-class income brackets (40-80k/year), depending on the sector/concentration, so be aware of the type of saving and living you're going to have to do to pay your loans off in the future.

 

[eckerd82]

I didn't have undergrad loans (I was fortunate to have scholarships and grants), so this will be my first time taking out loans for anything other than a car.

My guess is it will take me 12 years (max) to pay off my loans, and I'm 28. Loans are my only option at this point; I burned through my savings in the last few years evacuating for hurricanes, moving twice, and being in a bad, money-sucking relationship. I see two jobs in my future if I want to pay them off faster (say in 7-8 years); probably consulting, or if I have to I'll go back to the hospital floor and pick up shifts. And no new cars....I bought one two years ago.

I'm passing up an opportunity to go to a top 20 school for public health because of cost. I'd rather go to a state school with 20+ years of success for 20k per year than the top 20 school for 40/50k per year. If I'd applied earlier, I probably would have received some sort of scholarship or assistantship. But it is what it is. Maybe I'll end up deferring a year (doubt it), but regardless an MPH is a worthy investment for me and time's a wastin'....I'm no spring chicken anymore.