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Ready to Earn Your Master’s?

Let OMD guide you from start to finish.

A young woman in a graduation cap and gown smiles joyfully, holding her diploma and touching her face with both hands. Sunlight shines behind her, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere.
A young man wearing a graduation cap and gown smiles while holding a diploma tied with a red ribbon, standing outdoors with blurred buildings and trees in the background.
Two young women sitting at a table in a library, smiling and looking at a laptop screen together, with coffee cups and open books in front of them. A man sits in the background, also at the table.
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Four coworkers are smiling in a modern office. Two people in the foreground are giving a high-five, while two others look on, also smiling, suggesting a moment of workplace celebration or teamwork.
Self-Assessment Talking with Advisors Finding a Program Financial Planning Student Success After Graduation
A young woman in a graduation cap and gown smiles joyfully, holding her diploma and touching her face with both hands. Sunlight shines behind her, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere.
A young man wearing a graduation cap and gown smiles while holding a diploma tied with a red ribbon, standing outdoors with blurred buildings and trees in the background.
Two young women sitting at a table in a library, smiling and looking at a laptop screen together, with coffee cups and open books in front of them. A man sits in the background, also at the table.
A smiling woman with curly hair in a yellow top sits indoors, holding a tablet. She looks to the side, appearing happy and relaxed in a bright, modern living space.
Four coworkers are smiling in a modern office. Two people in the foreground are giving a high-five, while two others look on, also smiling, suggesting a moment of workplace celebration or teamwork.

Is a Master’s Degree Right for You?

Not sure if you’re ready – or even need – a master’s degree? Our quick self-check tool can help you reflect on your goals, timeline, and career path.

Advice from the OMD Experts

No matter what questions you have or roadblocks you’re facing, our experts have seen it all. From tackling admissions to writing your dissertation, they’ve shared their best advice in our student guides. Check out a few of their top insights to help you move forward with confidence.

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Cindy Chanin

Graduate Admissions Consultant

“The graduate school transfer process can no doubt be challenging, but planning ahead and formulating a strategy can help ease the burden of transferring.”
Read More
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Emily Walker

Graduate Writing Center Director

“My dissertation director told me that ‘the only good dissertation is a done dissertation.’ That’s my advice: just do it.”
Read More
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Dr. Dustin Goltz

Communications Professor & Expert

“We need to understand the limitations of online communication and work to bypass them when needed.”
Read More
A man with light brown hair, trimmed beard, and blue eyes, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and polka-dot tie, standing against a plain beige background.

Jon Morgan

CEO, Venture Smarter

“To increase their chances of landing assistantships, students should strengthen academics, gain relevant experience, and clearly define their career goals.”
Read More
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Melanie Hanson

Editor in Chief, Education Data Initiative

“Choosing a field with strong employment prospects, like medicine, engineering, or business, is essential to your long-term financial success.”
Read More
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Sheila Johnston

Teacher & Education Advocate

“The sky is the limit for you. Mistakes are stepping stones to success because they build a platform to help us reach our goals.”
Read More

Which Program is Right for You?

With so many options available, finding the right master’s program for you can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re focused on flexibility, speed, cost, location, or career fit, we’re here to help you compare your options and zero in on what matters most. Start narrowing down your search and move one step closer to finding the right degree for you.

Degrees that Fit Your Life

Top Schools Near You

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

The value of a master’s degree goes far beyond just a bigger paycheck, though that is part of the story. From higher earnings and stronger job security to personal growth and career flexibility, the ROI can show up in many ways. Explore the numbers and see how a master’s can pay off for you.

Earnings Premium

Two comparison cards showing annual earnings: $80,200 for a Master's degree and $66,600 for a Bachelor's degree. Each card has an icon of a money bag above the figures.
Line graph comparing median lifetime earnings: blue line for master’s degree (3.2 million) is consistently higher than red line for bachelor’s degree (2.8 million); background gradient matches line colors.
About the Data

In 2022, full-time workers age 25-34 with a master’s degree earned a median $80,200 annually — roughly 20% higher than the $66,600 median for those with a bachelor’s degree. Over a lifetime, the gap adds up: median lifetime earnings are about $3.2 million for a master’s graduate, compared to $2.8 million for a bachelor’s-only grad.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Career & Job Preparation

Two circular progress charts: the top shows "72% Master's" with a blue ring and a "Very Useful" label; the bottom shows "47% Bachelor's" with a red ring.
About the Data

In a 2024 Pew survey, 72% of adults with a postgraduate degree said their education was “very useful” in preparing them for a well-paying job – a much higher share than the 47% of those whose highest degree was a bachelor’s.

Source: Pew Research Center

Graduate Satisfaction

Three labeled pie charts: 39% Strongly Agreed (blue), 41% Agreed (purple), 20% Disagreed (red). Each chart is partially filled and has a corresponding icon above it.
About the Data

Despite the costs, most graduates feel their advanced education was worthwhile. A 2022 survey of U.S. college alumni (age 25 and up) found that 39% strongly agreed and 41% agreed their higher education was worth the investment.

Source: Intelligent

Starting Salary Advantage

Bar chart comparing the average salary premiums for master's vs. bachelor's degrees in three categories: Overall, Legal Studies (73%), and Communications Tech (65%); master's degrees have higher premiums.
About the Data

For the Class of 2021, master’s degree holders had an average starting salary about 22.5% higher than bachelor’s graduates. Some fields see especially large pay bumps: for example, master’s grads in legal studies earned ~73% more in starting salary than those with only a bachelor’s, and communications technology majors saw a ~65% premium.

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers

How Can You Pay for a Master’s Degree?

Master’s degrees can be a big investment. But it doesn’t have to be out of reach. From scholarships and assistantships to employer tuition reimbursement and smart budgeting, there are more ways to tackle the cost of your degree than you might think. Explore your options and get prepared to reach your goals without stretching your wallet

Understand the Costs

Scholarships

Budget, Budget, Budget

A person holds a smartphone displaying a credit score of 751, with colored gauge and categories like payment history, credit usage, and credit age. A laptop and a computer mouse are visible in the background.

Credit Scores in Grad School

Sarah Mattie ●
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Health Insurance for Grad Students

Angela Myers, BA ●
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How to Pay for Your Master’s Degree

Kaylee Thornhill ●
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Student Loan Timeline Guide

Ellery Weil, MA ●
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Ultimate FAFSA Guide

Shannon Lee ●
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What is the Cost of an Online Master’s?

Ellery Weil, MA ●
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For All Master’s Students

Kathleen Curtis ●
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For Black Students

Shannon Lee ●
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For Latino Students

Kristina Brune ●
A person wearing a rainbow-striped sleeve holds a red heart-shaped object in their cupped hands. A rainbow flag is visible in the background, symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride and love.

For LGBTQIA+ Students

Angelica Frey ●
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For Veterans

Michael Hoffman, JD, MA ●
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For Women Students

Angela Myers, BA ●
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Discounts & Deals for Grad Students

Taylor Cromwell ●
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Food Insecurity in Grad School

Michael Hoffman, JD, MA ●
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Grad School Budgeting Guide

Shannon Lee ●
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How to Graduate without Debt

Angela Myers, BA ●
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MOOCs for Grad Students

Mikala Lugen ●
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Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees

Kathleen Curtis ●

Student Success: From Admissions to Graduation

Whether you’re preparing your application, navigating coursework, or getting ready to walk across the graduation stage, OMD is here to help you. Learn what success looks like at every stage and get practical advice you can start using today.

Admissions

Student Life

Graduation

A young woman smiling and holding books stands in the foreground, while a group of students converse and walk in the background outside a school or college building.

Ultimate Admissions Guide

Shannon Lee ●
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Answering Admission Interview Questions

Kenya McCullum ●
A group of young adults sit at a table working on laptops and writing. One woman in glasses smiles at another, while others focus on their devices and notebooks. The atmosphere appears casual and collaborative.

Writing an Admissions Essay

Blake Huggins, PhD ●
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Getting Strong Letters of Recommendation

James Mielke ●
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How to Write a Personal Statement

Angela Myers, BA ●
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Admissions with a Low Undergrad GPA

Rebecca Newman, MSW ●
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50+ Resources for Counseling Students

Quinn Dannies, MA ●
A smiling couple sits close together, holding hands and looking at a woman with her back to the camera, possibly during a counseling or therapy session in a bright, comfortable room.

30+ Resources for MFT Students

Stephen Porritt ●
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Acing Grad School with ADHD

Angela Myers, BA ●
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How to Come Back from Failure

Christopher Murray ●
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Resources for Accounting Students

Michael Hoffman, JD, MA ●
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Resources for Nursing Students

Bernard Grant, PhD, MFA ●
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Getting Hired After Graduation

Quinn Dannies, MA ●
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Networking in Graduate School

Blake Huggins, PhD ●
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Psychology State Licensure Guide

Angela Myers, BA ●
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Social Work State Licensure Guide

Angela Myers, BA ●

Where Can a Master’s Degree Take You?

Whether you’re aiming for a higher salary, a leadership role, or a whole new career path, our career guides can help you see what’s possible with the right degree on your resume. Explore where your education can lead you.