Financing an MBA using Federal + Private Loans?

Hopefully a current or past MBA student can shed some light on my loan question.

After taking out a Stafford loan for $20,500/year, I'll still need ~$130,000. My options are the Federal GradPlus loan (7.9% fixed rate) and a private bank loan (~3-4% variable rate).

Wouldn't it make the most sense to combine a Federal GradPlus loan with a private loan to cover that amount? (e.g. $65,000 GradPlus loan + $65,000 private loan)

This way I'd owe half of the total amount at a 7.9% fixed rate and the other half at a much lower variable rate. So if interest rates begin to skyrocket 5 years from now, I could pay down the private loan first. But if interest rates stay low, I'd pay down the grad plus loan first.

This makes sense to me, but I explained my strategy to Booth's Financial Aid Director and she told me that it was a bad idea and that I need to pick one or the other. Her reasoning was that it would be too complicated to keep track of 3 loans (Stafford + GradPlus + Private). I pressed her for a more thorough explanation of her reasoning, but she wouldn't give one.

I don't see why this would be a bad idea and I'm looking for some advice. To me it seems like it would be a great way to protect yourself against rising interest rates on the private loan.

Has anyone tried this strategy? Any advice would be appreciate.

 

First question should be, is the school you're going to attend going to be worth taking out the loan?

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

Well, something else to consider 1. refinance / consolidation later on , I think doing the all federal lets you consolidate (which just makes it one payment) but also allows you to drop some interest charges if you sign up for auto pay
2. extend Repayment Term - with private loans it maxes out at 20 , while you can stretch out to 30.

 

I agree with manopete that you need to consider your refinancing options + extension terms in priority, because that is quite a sizeable amount you are borrowing (and you'll go over your budget by 20-30%, from my MBA experience), and you never know what can happen.

I'm serious: don't try to come up with the smartest structure and hedge or make some kind of bet and try to be Warren Buffet. Play it extremely safe. Ask yourself what you would do if it took you 6 months after graduation to find a job. Ask yourself what you would do if you were not to land a job in IB/PE/HF and not earn big bonuses or get a sign-on. Ask yourself what you would do if you would get fired in your first year in that IB job.

 
rastarocket:
I agree with manopete that you need to consider your refinancing options + extension terms in priority, because that is quite a sizeable amount you are borrowing (and you'll go over your budget by 20-30%, from my MBA experience), and you never know what can happen.

I'm serious: don't try to come up with the smartest structure and hedge or make some kind of bet and try to be Warren Buffet. Play it extremely safe. Ask yourself what you would do if it took you 6 months after graduation to find a job. Ask yourself what you would do if you were not to land a job in IB/PE/HF and not earn big bonuses or get a sign-on. Ask yourself what you would do if you would get fired in your first year in that IB job.

You make a good point, but I'm not trying to put together some intricate strategy to hedge my bets. I realize that if I want to protect myself from the absolute worst case scenario, I should go with the federal Stafford + GradPlus loans only. However, it's hard to pass on a ~3% private loan - even if it's variable - given that I could save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of 5-10 years. That's why I'm thinking that a private loan for around $70K (or 40% of the entire loan I'm taking on) would be a safe way to take advantage of the low variable interest rate that I have access to. That way, if god-forbid something terrible did happen, 60% of my loans would be federal backed and could thus be extended or possibly refinanced.

And as a side note, I'm going into BSchool with $50-60K in cash that I plan to keep and use as a safety net until I find a post-MBA job. So even if I graduate without a job and only $30-40K in savings, I should have enough to keep me afloat for at least a few months.

 

pro i really dont see why you dont just go ahead and take the 3 percent loan... even if in 4 years the rates go up and then are higher for 4 years than the fixed youll still break even but im betting that scenario will not happen and theyll stay low. id gladly put all my cash in 8 percent fixed return now or any time for that matter. that is uber rape to the pockets when rates are otherwise low

 
shorttheworld:
pro i really dont see why you dont just go ahead and take the 3 percent loan... even if in 4 years the rates go up and then are higher for 4 years than the fixed youll still break even but im betting that scenario will not happen and theyll stay low. id gladly put all my cash in 8 percent fixed return now or any time for that matter. that is uber rape to the pockets when rates are otherwise low

This is tempting, especially considering that rates are almost guaranteed to stay low for the two years that I'll be in school.

However, even if I land a competitive offer at MBB post-MBA, I think it would still realistically take a minimum of 5 years or a maximum of 10 years to pay off the entire principle + interest. I'm comfortable with holding a $200K loan at a 3% VR for 5 years (only 3 years out of school), but I'm not very comfortable with that same VR loan for 10 years.

So this brings me back to my original strategy of splitting up the total amount between private and federal loans. Surely there are people that do this...

 

If you have a safety net, just take the cheap private loan. When you start to work, pay back normally but still save money while interest rates are low, but save this as a deposit for a property.

The incentive here is that if you plan to buy a property, the private loan is likely to be cheaper than a mortgage (it was the case for me). Btu if interest rates start to go up, you can just do an early repayment.

With variable interest rates, just make sure to negotiate no fees or little fees for early repayments.

 

I just can't imagine a situation where your variable loan would be more expensive than the Federal one in the next 5-10 years. I am currently paying 3.2% on my private loan (graduated last summer) so the savings are pretty considerable (~$6K / year assuming pricincipal of $130K). If the spread was tighter, I'd understand wanting to to hedge, but at this level, it's just not worth it.

 
mtnmmnn:

I just can't imagine a situation where your variable loan would be more expensive than the Federal one in the next 5-10 years. I am currently paying 3.2% on my private loan (graduated last summer) so the savings are pretty considerable (~$6K / year assuming pricincipal of $130K). If the spread was tighter, I'd understand wanting to to hedge, but at this level, it's just not worth it.

where did you get 3.2% private loan? It is even lower than secured loan like home equity.

edited: I did some quick search and found most private student loan are in that range. It is just hard to image why unsecured loan has lower rate than secured one, even after considering you can't default on student loan.

 

Federal loans are like socialism, everyone gets the same thing regardless of their personal attributes (school / program attended, savings, income potential, etc). Private loans are given in a normally functioning market which reward quality borrowers so it's normal that someone with significant savings and attending a very competitive MBA program with high income potential will get a much better deal than someone attending a fourth tier law school costing $200K in tuition where grads struggle to find paralegal jobs. Also keep in mind home equity loan are fixed over a very long period of time while educational loan are variable so we unfortunately won't be paying such a low rate forever.

 

I believe that you can do it. My goal is to be debt free at graduation or as close to that as possible. I bet a lot of people probably don't care about the debt and are willing to make the payments over a 10 year people to live a more lavish life in the short term. If you are willing to make lifestyle sacrifices in the short term no reason to not pay it off at a much faster rate.

 

If you've got the scratch to cover tuition and fees, you're miles ahead of most b-schoolers.

By "sunk cost" do you mean opportunity cost? If so, keep in mind that the P&Q and Bweek numbers are total cost of attendance, which includes an estimate of room, board, and other living expenses. Those estimates may be high or low, depending on the standard of living you intend to maintain while in school, but shouldn't be double-counted with the school's cost of attendance figures.

Rather than trying to figure out how to "fund" all of your lost salary, try putting together a detailed budget (sources and uses of cash) of what you will actually make/need/spend for these two years. Don't forget things like club dues, career treks, and travel opportunities like the pre-orientation trips, ski trips, and African safaris... if you're into those sorts of things. Of the sources side, don't forget to include an intern salary which can range from $10k (non-prof) to $30k+.

I had very little in the way of liquid savings and chose a school where I had minimal scholarship. My wife works, which almost offsets the cost of having a kid, but I've mostly funded school through private loans. At rates between 1.9% and 3.25%, it's daunting but not that painful. B-school almost doubles my take-home pay, so we can be very aggressive paying off the loans after graduation.

 

Thanks, this is all good stuff. I'm surprised the rates are so reasonable, that's definitely encouraging.

I didn't mean opportunity cost in the sense of cost of MBA + lost salary, I just meant that I know I will need to spend something within that range as a non-scholarship, full-time MBA student over the next two years.

 

I just pay cash. Don't like the idea of loans. I know of one other PE classmate who took out a loan and invested his savings. I don't believe in this approach but it is up to you.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

I'm also coming from PE and trying not to take loans, just don't like the idea.

I'd say your true cost is higher though, at least $200k - $225k. If you include living expenses, plus trips. I think a lot of people don't take into account how much more you'll be traveling during bschool. People at my school probably go on 2 to 5 international trips per year, and if you figure $3k - $5k per trip, you're looking at $10k - $15k of additional travel expense you might not have if you were working.

 

Fair enough, I'm honestly not surprised to hear that the cost is a good chunk higher than what the school websites are quoting. I definitely plan on participating on most if not all the international travel opportunities with my classmates, so I'll adjust my expectation accordingly.

Are you already in school, or are you a Round 1 applicant this year? If so, where are you applying? Hopefully we'll be classmates soon...

 
CompBanker:

I just pay cash. Don't like the idea of loans. I

You are one strange finance guy, my friend. Lever up!

hawainpalmtree:

I'm surprised the rates are so reasonable, that's definitely encouraging.

Rates can vary quite a bit. I was surprised that mine came in lower this year than last. For reference, my wife/cosigner makes decent money and we both have sterling credit (800+ FICO).

@"acrew09" It's hard for me to say what the total cost is. I only "feel" the incremental costs (lost salary, tuition. fees, travel). Rent and food expenses are basically the same as they always were.

 
brj:
CompBanker:

I just pay cash. Don't like the idea of loans. I

You are one strange finance guy, my friend. Lever up!

hawainpalmtree:

I'm surprised the rates are so reasonable, that's definitely encouraging.

Rates can vary quite a bit. I was surprised that mine came in lower this year than last. For reference, my wife/cosigner makes decent money and we both have sterling credit (800+ FICO).

@acrew09 It's hard for me to say what the total cost is. I only "feel" the incremental costs (lost salary, tuition. fees, travel). Rent and food expenses are basically the same as they always were.

Who did you take a loan out with? Researching options now, curious which lenders people have found to be aggressive with borrowers with great credit history.
 

A few things to add: 1. My quoted rates varied from 1.9% to 6.5%, so shop around. 2. If you have a credit-worthy and income-earning cosigner, use them. 3. Consider the non-financial benefits of federal loans, especially if you're not targeting a high-income post-MBA career. They are more expensive, but more flexible. 4. For second year: most lenders have a cumulative loan limit, which varies from $150k to $275k and may or may not be published. I was initially declined for almost every loan this year because I wasn't aware of these and asked for too much (lower rates this year, so plan to max out and pay back some of last year's loans, yea arbitrage). Here's the kicker: all education loans, including outstanding undergrad ones count against this limit not just same-lender, same-program loans. 5. Don't lie, but don't be afraid to share favorable information. Unless the application asked specifically for "income in school," I quoted my then-current salary and bonus. Similarly, I applied for my 2Y loans based on my post-grad compensation. They didn't ask me to verify, but I was ready to share my offer letter with them, if needed.

 

Can someone provide more insight regarding the formula schools use to determine need based fellowships/scholarships? Is it based on some combination of salary and liquid assets? I have a large percentage of my wealth tied up in a business I've started which is fairly illiquid and I assume won't be counted towards my net worth when schools determine my ability to pay for my education.

 
Frank Slaughtery:

Can someone provide more insight regarding the formula schools use to determine need based fellowships/scholarships? Is it based on some combination of salary and liquid assets? I have a large percentage of my wealth tied up in a business I've started which is fairly illiquid and I assume won't be counted towards my net worth when schools determine my ability to pay for my education.

I know that fellowships/scholarships are pretty need-blind at Booth. Myself and a number of others that received meaningful scholarships were more than well off-financially. Besides, I believe the school only asks your income level and not your net worth.
CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

I used SoFi for undergrad and had them refinance my loans after I graduated. They were friendly and offered competitive rates. Nothing mindblowingly excellent but they seemed good/consistent.

 

I'll be attending the weekend program of a top MBA school. No sponsorship by my fund, but will remain employed full-time during the program and upon graduation for Partner track.

Where's the best place to go for loans in my situation? Federal rates are way too high for someone that will remain employed in a good, high paying position. Only looking for like a $50k loan, too.

Looking for options outside of SoFi, Commonbond, etc.

Would big banks be the way to go (e.g., PNC), as they might review my profile more closely and can get more flexible from borrower to borrower?

 

Has anyone had any experience with M7financial? I saw something about them on Poets & Quants, but was wondering if they offered anything that any other commercial lender doesn't offer. I know everyone is trying to get into the act, but is this just one more bank?

 

Yeah, I was told that its more or less just to make you think and I know some poeple who asked if they could leave it blank and were told that was ok (Obviously check before you do this).

I've also heard its a sanity check vs. what you say you are going to do post-MBA. Like, if you say that you are going to pay 100% with loans but your goal is to work in non-profit then there is a bit of an issue there...

 

What you put in the app has nothing to do with what you get in finaid...

Once you are in you have to fill out financial aid forms from which they decide if you are in need of financial aid. One of the forms is the Gov't FASFA form in which you have to put all your assets. So, unless you lie on that they will be able to tell if you can pay out of pocket or if you need aid.

 

Yes, there are merit awards for sure but they also have need based. Most of the time you find out merit based awards as you are accepted (not CBS though unless you get in later in the cycle). There are also smaller need based awards as well that are based on your finaid application after you are already in.

 

Questions:

How old are you? Current savings? Post-MBA career?

********************************* “The American father is never seen in London. He passes his life entirely in Wall Street and communicates with his family once a month by means of a telegram in cipher.” - Oscar Wilde
 

Further info:

-Single -Will be 31 post-MBA -Will be living in NYC post-MBA -No current savings, just paying off debt -Likely will be working in IB or restructuring advisory

 
MBA_hi:
Further info:

-Single -Will be 31 post-MBA -Will be living in NYC post-MBA -No current savings, just paying off debt -Likely will be working in IB or restructuring advisory

Assuming a loan term of 10 years and an interest rate of 6.8%, you're going to need about $2,877 in monthly free cash flow to pay debt. This will leave you with about $2,000/month or less to live on with an IB associate salary ($95,000/year)... so you will be stretching it thin your first year. However, if you can save your signing bonus and put it towards monthly debt repayments, and also take into account the fact that you won't have to make payments until 6 months after you graduate, you should be OK. So... let's say you graduate in May, you probably won't have to make your first debt repayment until November. Save, save, save until then and save your signing bonus for that.

Then, if I mistake not, you get a stub bonus in December of your first year. Save that and put it towards your monthly debt service as well.

It looks like an enormous debt load, but you can crawl out from under it and manage it. Just be prepared to live extremely frugally. You should be able to pay it all off by the time you get promoted to VP.

 
yung_gekko:
MBA_hi:
Is $250k in total undergrad/grad school debt too much to handle post-MBA?

Holy shit ever considered saving for school?

Lots of smart people do it debt-free

I don't think it's appropriate to judge a person in such a simple manner. I consider myself fortunate that I won't have to deal with that situation... but I could see this debt load being somewhat common for kids that come from normal middle-class families.

If your parents are making $100K/year and trying to support a family of 4 in lets say California or New York... they will have very little disposable income and likely little saved for college. At the same time, the educational system won't consider them needy enough for grant/need-based aid or need-based scholarships. So... let's imagine a kid from that income bracket gets into an Ivy and wants to go. He's going to be strapped with over $100K of debt by the time he finishes undergrad.

Let's say the same kid gets a job paying $55K/year in NYC. Again, same situation. Barely any free cash flow to save or pay down debt. He's gonna have the same debt load, maybe -$20K by the time he enters B-School and no savings. Add on $170K for B-School on top of $80K for undergrad, and you have $250K.

This is not an uncommon debt load for kids who go through law school on top of undergrad loans as well.

 

personally im keeping my cash invested in the market over the next few years as i feel that with the low rates right now ill be able to benefit from a rise in my portfolio vs those costs.. but i think itd be better to take advantage of lower rates and have some liquidity in the form of cash but i guess that depends on what youre doing with the loose money as well

 

If the loans are subsidized they do not accrue interest until you are in the repayment period. So, if you can afford to pay the tuition and take only subsidized loans for the rest it would make more sense than paying outright. The sub. loans won't accrue interest but your money in the bank will.

If you take out unsub and sub loans, the unsub accrue interest right away. But, you can opt to pay the interest while your in school as well to avoid it growing too large.

If you can pay any tuition above unsubsidizes loans, it would be advantageous to take them. Your money can grow in the bank until it is time to repay the subsidized loans.

"yeah, thats right" High-Five
 

What low rates? Stafford loans are about 6.6% (plus an origination fee of, I think, 1%) but you can only borrow up to $20K with Stafford loans. MBA tuition (plus living expenses) will be $150K+. You will need Graduate Plus loans for the remaining $120K+. The interest on a grad plus loan is about 7.8%. Grad plus loans are technically private loans and WILL accrue interest while you are in school.

So in short – most of your borrowed money will cost you nearly 8% and will accrue interest while you are in school. 8% is a high hurdle rate for someone who will be very busy studying, interning and looking for a job.

 

Current MBA 2nd year here.

First off, if you have excellent credit and/or a co-signor, you should check what kind of rates you can get through private student loan providers, most likely lower than Federal, but they will be variable. They can also be longer term (20 year) but won't have the benefit of payment deferral during unemployment or school as Federal loans do. You can make your own assessment of the risk/reward of using private vs. government.

The Federal loan details are: Stafford Subsidized: $8,500 per year @ 6.8% (interest subsidized while in school, qualification based on need) Stafford Unsubsidized: $12,000 @ 6.8% (interest accrues while in school, qualification based on need) Grad Plus: Up to the rest of your school's limit (less any scholarship/grants) @ 8.5% (interest accrues while in school, no qualification)

If you max out your federal loans your weighted-average rate will be north of 8%, not a low hurdle rate right now. If you believe you might be a home-owner/buyer shortly after the MBA, you might consider keeping your cash for a down-payment on a home, then paying off higher rate student loan debt through mortgage, which will get you both a lower mortgage rate as well as tax benefits.

 

Hi Mango Quick question -- if your employer pays for your schooling, you have to go back to them right after, is that correct? Is that the issue? Or is it about just the debt?

Betsy

Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!
 
Betsy Massar:

Hi Mango
Quick question -- if your employer pays for your schooling, you have to go back to them right after, is that correct?
Is that the issue? Or is it about just the debt?

Betsy

Yep, I will have to return to my employer for 2 years, which isn't bad. Main issue is the debt (I see no way of even going to business school unless they were helping to pay).

 

You have enough money to not take out loans, but you’re not sure if you can afford to live without a cushion because your family has some financial issues. I get that, but then why not just take out the Stafford’s to give yourself the cushion and live off that money. $20k per year should be close to enough money to live on unless you’re in NYC (and maybe even there), and worst case, you spend a little of your cash on the additional living expenses. Should nothing that comes up that requires your financial help, you can pay down your debt quickly post-graduation (or not – you’ll have some flexibility).

Why would you take out any more loans than that at the God-awful interest rate that they offer? All things being equal, I almost wouldn’t ever take out debt if I could help it (too risk averse), but you’re not like most people on here (potential family financial distress). Take care of your situation.

Last, I know some people that have found low interest rate loans from private lenders for school. That’s something to consider as you could still borrow money (and possibly a bit more if needed) with some decent interest rates.

 
BGP2587:

You have enough money to not take out loans, but you’re not sure if you can afford to live without a cushion because your family has some financial issues. I get that, but then why not just take out the Stafford’s to give yourself the cushion and live off that money. $20k per year should be close to enough money to live on unless you’re in NYC (and maybe even there), and worst case, you spend a little of your cash on the additional living expenses. Should nothing that comes up that requires your financial help, you can pay down your debt quickly post-graduation (or not – you’ll have some flexibility).

Why would you take out any more loans than that at the God-awful interest rate that they offer? All things being equal, I almost wouldn’t ever take out debt if I could help it (too risk averse), but you’re not like most people on here (potential family financial distress). Take care of your situation.

Last, I know some people that have found low interest rate loans from private lenders for school. That’s something to consider as you could still borrow money (and possibly a bit more if needed) with some decent interest rates.

Thanks, this was really helpful. Gave you a silver banana :)

I guess risk-averse depends on the situation. I view it as risky to fund business school using cash, because that's all I have.

 

Get the loans. I think the riskiest thing you can do is become insolvent while unemployed. Especially when you know there's a decent chance you'll need the cash. As long as your spending habits don't change because of the credit.

I had enough money to pay for business school in cash but I still took out loans because I preferred to stay liquid. Plus I wanted cash on hand at on the other end to be able to use as a down payment on a home.

Oh, and shop around for private loans. They can be pretty competitive if you have good credit. I had the best luck with Wells at 3.25% floating (this was a couple years ago).

 
ibleedexcel:

Get the loans. I think the riskiest thing you can do is become insolvent while unemployed. Especially when you know there's a decent chance you'll need the cash. As long as your spending habits don't change because of the credit.

I had enough money to pay for business school in cash but I still took out loans because I preferred to stay liquid. Plus I wanted cash on hand at on the other end to be able to use as a down payment on a home.

Oh, and shop around for private loans. They can be pretty competitive if you have good credit. I had the best luck with Wells at 3.25% floating (this was a couple years ago).

Thank you, this is really helpful!

 

Ouchhh. OP, in an ideal world I'd give you all the money I've been pouring into my bschool. Currently spending a sixth straight semester at school and am considering dropping out. Don't think bschool is adding any value to my life and I'm told the IB life isn't for me. Decided I'd be better off becoming a housewife instead. School and high-finance just isn't for me I guess.

 
Charlotte York:

Ouchhh. OP, in an ideal world I'd give you all the money I've been pouring into my bschool. Currently spending a sixth straight semester at school and am considering dropping out. Don't think bschool is adding any value to my life and I'm told the IB life isn't for me. Decided I'd be better off becoming a housewife instead. School and high-finance just isn't for me I guess.

6th semester? Sounds like there's more to the story then you are sharing.

 
Raptor.45:
Wait, so have you worked at all out of college? If not an MBA is worthless even if free - recruiters won't touch you without job experience.

If you can sell yourself as someone that won't leave in 3-5 years to go back to school and that you are there for the long haul.. It's all in what kinds of things you are looking for.

I have a buddy from my undergrad (Absolute no-name 1AA school) who just stuck around for an MBA and is now some regional manager or something for BK Lounge and makes 100k a year.. And he wasn't an athlete and didn't have anything special about him.

 

I assume you are a football GA? If so congrats Free School > Debt.

Pros: -No Debt so you don't have to shell out MASSIVE amounts of cash every month so your required salary is lower, though that doesn't mean your expectations should be lower. -In general everyone loves athletes as at one point or another nearly EVERYONE plays a sport at some level.. I was in an interview and the guy was going on and on about back in the day when he played in high school and was all-league... It will be a plus, and (assuming GA here) depending how you upsell or present your experience they may see it as developing leadership/coaching skills and doing something cool/interesting

Cons: -Depending what you want to do it may require more networking or be more difficult to land the job you want -Without any experience you could potentially get stuck between entry level positions and MBA positions.. Just depends on the place, they may feel you are an expensive entry level or a underqualified experienced hire

All in all though you will be fine.. it may not be a top 10 school but then again how many people go for free without a commitment to work for a company for X number of years

 

What do you think you want to do when you get out of school?

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 
cphbravo96:
What do you think you want to do when you get out of school?

Regards

I think I would enjoy something that would allow me to continue to compete. Could that be S&T? Sure. What draws me to finance/baking is the extreme competitive side of the industry beyond anything else. With that being said, I do understand that networking and such is key to being able to earn an opportunity in a place such as Wall Street. Would I be able to earn such an opportunity? Who knows- I live right outside of the city and know a few people but I'm not necessarily putting all of my eggs into one basket.

I think that if you have some sort of burning desire to compete- you'll be successful just about anywhere. I've never had anything handed to me and I don't expect to. I enjoy following this website because I think that there are some tremendously good resources, topics, and bright young people on here who provide tremendous insights daily.

So I guess to answer your question- I'm not too sure EXACTLY what I want to do (short term.) I have a few things in mind, but life never seems to go as planned.

Again, thanks for the input guys.

 

I think it's really short sighted to invest two years of your life in a so-so program just because it's free. If you believe in your career prospects, you will quickly pay off any debt incurred. However, if you don't go to a good school the whole two year experience could be a waste. I would vote in favor of investing time and money if that's what gets you to the right place.

 
mani.prevor:
I think it's really short sighted to invest two years of your life in a so-so program just because it's free. If you believe in your career prospects, you will quickly pay off any debt incurred. However, if you don't go to a good school the whole two year experience could be a waste. I would vote in favor of investing time and money if that's what gets you to the right place.

Certainly true, great argument. Again, I'm not exactly the type of guy who thinks my schooling will make or break the rest of my career. I just think that nothing is guaranteed in life so being able to take an opportunity such as a free MBA was something that I needed to take advantage of.

Best,

 

Don't really understand the question - you should take out the amount of money you need to pay for the MBA program and associated activities. It is school dependent but between $150k and $250k.

The value of the MBA depends on where you are going and why - you can't simply look at the price of the education to determine value. Look at class job placement details to get a sense of what you might expect

 

If you get into a top program that you will be happy attending and which will help you get the job you want, then you need to take out however much required to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses. Obviously, the more personal savings you have, the less you need to take out in loans.

 
Best Response

Take the student loan money, go to vegas, and bet everything on red.

Then go to GREEK YACHT WEEK and drive around HBS in a FERRARI buying BOTTLE SERVICE wearing your ROLEX WATCH and your MAD SWAGGER with your TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE that sends you to a MEGAFUND. (I think I checked all of the boxes except maybe SECTION X and DUCATI)

And yes I'm sure there's a parody IP list out there that goes PBR, YELLOWTAIL, RUSTY HONDA, LAKE MICHIGAN, HANG GLIDING, MFE, WAL MART, COUPON, DISCOUNT, and STATE SCHOOL ENGINEERING. My list is honestly more ridiculous, comical, and non-sequitur than Brady's, and I say that with pride.

To answer OP's question, I'd:

1.) figure what you currently earn. 2.) figure what graduates of the program earn. Use the median number, if available. 3.) make sure the IRR is above 15%, just over the next 10 years.

I know this sounds really crazy but I'm not completely opposed to MBA business schools">M7 schools. And I honestly think Kellogg offers a lot of bang for the buck if you can get course credit and graduate a semester early with less tuition (with a job, hopefully). Obviously one of the worst deals out there is an executive program at a high COL campus (think NYU, Columbia, CMU NYC).

 
IlliniProgrammer:

Take the student loan money, go to vegas, and bet everything on red.

Then go to GREEK YACHT WEEK and drive around HBS in a FERRARI buying BOTTLE SERVICE wearing your ROLEX WATCH and your MAD SWAGGER with your TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE that sends you to a MEGAFUND. (I think I checked all of the boxes except maybe SECTION X and DUCATI)

And yes I'm sure there's a parody IP list out there that goes PBR, YELLOWTAIL, RUSTY HONDA, LAKE MICHIGAN, HANG GLIDING, MFE, WAL MART, COUPON, DISCOUNT, and STATE SCHOOL ENGINEERING. My list is honestly more ridiculous, comical, and non-sequitur than Brady's, and I say that with pride.

To answer OP's question, I'd:

1.) figure what you currently earn.
2.) figure what graduates of the program earn. Use the median number, if available.
3.) make sure the IRR is above 15%, just over the next 10 years.

I know this sounds really crazy but I'm not completely opposed to MBA business schools">M7 schools. And I honestly think Kellogg offers a lot of bang for the buck if you can get course credit and graduate a semester early with less tuition (with a job, hopefully). Obviously one of the worst deals out there is an executive program at a high COL campus (think NYU, Columbia, CMU NYC).

It's not just an IRR calculation. There's also value in switching into an industry or changing job function from what you were doing prior through an MBA, not necessarily for just the money but also overall happiness/career fit.

 

The question is not worded in the best manner but let me give it a shot regardless..

Most good schools should have on their website the max amount you should be able to borrow for an mba program. This amount includes somewhat realistic estimates of the cost of living, school supplies, social activities & misc. Of course, the consumption will vary based on your personal lifestyle.

My point is that the max amount you can borrow is determined by the school.

 

I read "max advisable"

My calculation:

Say you earn $70K/year after tax and the median graduate of your MBA program earns $120K after tax. You are currently saving $20K/year bringing home $70K and have $40K in savings Let's also assume that after the MBA program the median salary merely scales with inflation and your expected salary staying where you are does the same for ten years, and then catches up to your MBA salary.

Cost of MBA: $170K Cost of forgone savings: $40K Total cost of program: $210K Required IRR on savings and forgone savings: inflation + 6 %. (What you can make in the stock market) Required IRR on student debt: 15%/ inflation + 12%.

Sources of funding: Savings: $40K saved + $40K forgone savings Loans: $130K

Since the return on savings is cheaper, you can pay that off with the later cashflows. Whatever is left over, discounted at 12% + inflation, is what makes sense to borrow.

In this case, I calculate that you've earned your money back between 5 and 6 years.

Given that I charge a higher penalty rate for student loans, you can see why I'm always telling people to save and to try to avoid debt. If you live a middle class lifestyle, losing your savings can hurt you but it can't ruin your life. Debt- especially debt that can't be discharged in BK- requires a much higher rate than 6.8%.

If you can pay off your loans at a 12% + inflation rate, and get a return on your savings of 6% + inflation, and make your money back in 10 years, it's worth it. If not, I honestly believe that the value of financial independence is greater than whatever value you get out of forcing yourself to work in a career you may or may not enjoy in 10 years, without the option to really leave.

 
CRE:

$70,000 of loan, ya dingus

If the plan is to see your after-tax income increase by $50K/year after graduation, that's the median salary of a graduate of your program, and you're willing to commit to working hard for the next twelve years (two in MBA getting a job, ten in industry) I estimate that $130K in debt is fine. And the more money you have saved, the easier it makes it to get an MBA.

Just make sure that it's a sober, well-thought-out analysis. (Don't let Brady do it for you.)

 

"Check it out" with Dr. Steve Brule is the funniest show on television, hands down.

That said, although my degree will be a MRED not a MBA, the rest of what you said applies and I appreciate the napkin analysis.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Dawg, you're from Philly too? Worddddd glad to see some representation. Would ask you where you're from in the area, but this is a public forum and that's creepy

Make Idaho a Semi-Target Again 2016 Not an alumnus of Idaho
Asatar:
I think it's a general consensus that going to BSchool is not worth it unless you go to one of the top tier ones. I would not advise going to a lower ranked school just to save money - either go to Booth or not at all. 150k seems to be the minimum cost of the better schools.

Any accredited b-school is worth going to if your employer sponsors it (for promotion and a raise), it's not costing you anything but time, and/or you are in a position where going to a top-tier business school won't result in opportunities for a substantial jump in financial gain.

 

Great question, I have been struggling with this question myself (in addition to waiting for some admissions decisions).

For me, the answer is going to be nestled in the reason I want to go to business school. I am a career-switcher, and I want to go to a school that gives me access to a great network and careers in finance. I would say that if you can still achieve your goals (whether they are full-time career goals or financial goals) by going to the lower-ranked school, then you should consider doing it.

I can think of quite a few examples where it would be absolutely worth going in to hock for your MBA, too. If you are looking for a career in investment banking, for example, and banks don't recruit for investment banking at your lower-ranked school, it's going to be an uphill climb for you internship and full-time recruiting. On the other hand, you know these firms recruit heavily at Booth... Or if you don't currently have access to the network that you want then it would be definitely be worth it. (I majored in social sciences at a west coast university, for example, but would like access to a network with more of a wall street presence)

I'd also investigate return on investment. Once again, this is going to vary based on your personal situation, but in my situation I've looked at a couple factors:

-Career opportunities following graduation (I'd look at recruiting figures and placement stats post-graduation at both universities) -Access to Network (Top-tier schools like Booth have a large, powerful alumni base across many different industries) -Long-Term "Cost" of Debt (if you know that you have a better chance to get a high-paying finance job upon graduation, the long-term "cost" of your debt is somewhat more manageable)

Best of luck to you!

"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability." -John Wooden See my WSO Blog
 

Two things. 1)what kind of lower tier school are we talking about here? If it's Booth vs say a top 20 that still places OK with i banking then the lower tier school is an option, note I didn't say Booth or the lower tier school was a the definitive best option, it depends on how lower tier we're talking. I will say if there is very little as in IBD at the lower tier school it's probably not a viable option if you want to do IBD. 2) go back to Booth and talk to whoever gives aid in the form of fellowships and grants, not loans, that can be a completely different person. Tell them you would love to come to Booth (obviously) but money's tight, can they do anything to help? (aka, give me money) If they ask you what other options you have you, can say you've been accepted to a lesser school that has given you $$$ but you would prefer Booth hence why you're seeing if you can work something out.

 

fitzmanon,

I just received my financial aid package from my MBA business schools">M7 school. My award was pretty consistent with the historical average..~$30k. That puts me on the hook for the other $60k of the first-year student budget.

All things considered, I think I'll end up taking out roughly $45k in student loans this year and around the same next year. The median student upon graduation is just under $100k, so I don't think I'll be too badly off.

 

I'll be taking ~$65K in loans in total. If I can save enough during my summer I might end up taking closer to $55K. We shall see.

You can definitely go back to Booth and tactfully ask to be considered for additional scholarship/fellowship money. There are corporate fellowships and Booth fellowships available and many of those award decisions won't be released until the spring. Admissions decides on who gets what fellowships for the most part. I would reach out to whoever did your admit call and ask if there is anything you can do to increase your shot at a fellowship and if he/she has any suggestions for which awards you should apply. It's not a guarantee of anything but at least you'd be proactive in getting the cost down somewhat.

 

Brother-in-law finished school last year and also went with the mindset of budgeting more than what the school recommends. Luckily, he didn't have to take out a large amount of loans, but he still recognized the importance of flexibility in his cash available (for both fun and work).

peinvestor2012:
I topped out at $65-70K. Luckily I refied the 7.9% loans with my parents at 4.5%. Still have some at 6.8% though. Fucking government.

Just curious how you were able to refi your loans "with your parents?" I think I have read a good deal on debt for school and don't know much about this.

"Now watch this drive." -W.
 

I'm at a top school, and like many of my peers, I took out the max loan of ~$180K. This is through Sallie Mae at an extremely low 2.5% variable interest rate.

It's worth noting that the estimated budget that schools provide you with is pretty unrealistic for two reasons: 1) it only accounts for ~9 months per year (does not include summer, winter break, time off before school starts, etc.), and 2) it assumes very conservative spending habits.

I created my own budget to span 24 months and include things that are important to me, such as spring break, industry treks, ski trips, lots of going out/drinking, etc. It comes to a grand total of $230,000. The difference ($50K) comes from personal savings and income from my summer internship.

I know these numbers can be scary, but if you’re going to a school that can grant you access to a career like consulting or banking where you can make ~$200K your first year post-MBA (some firms even provide partial tuition reimbursement), I think it's a solid investment.

 
pr0ficient:
I created my own budget to span 24 months and include things that are important to me, such as spring break, industry treks, ski trips, lots of going out/drinking, etc. It comes to a grand total of $230,000. The difference ($50K) comes from personal savings and income from my summer internship.

If you must take out loans, do it conservatively and leave B-School with the least amount of debt as possible. If you find the above as necessities while in business school what will you find as necessities once you are making a decent salary? Starting off with $230k in debt because you must enjoy spring break, ski trips and drinking with friends is terrible advice.

“I am always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
 
pr0ficient:
I'm at a top school, and like many of my peers, I took out the max loan of ~$180K. This is through Sallie Mae at an extremely low 2.5% variable interest rate.

It's worth noting that the estimated budget that schools provide you with is pretty unrealistic for two reasons: 1) it only accounts for ~9 months per year (does not include summer, winter break, time off before school starts, etc.), and 2) it assumes very conservative spending habits.

I created my own budget to span 24 months and include things that are important to me, such as spring break, industry treks, ski trips, lots of going out/drinking, etc. It comes to a grand total of $230,000. The difference ($50K) comes from personal savings and income from my summer internship.

I know these numbers can be scary, but if you’re going to a school that can grant you access to a career like consulting or banking where you can make ~$200K your first year post-MBA (some firms even provide partial tuition reimbursement), I think it's a solid investment.

Holy shit... Good luck paying that back within 10 years.

I hope you don't have any other expenses, a family, or plans to buy a house.

 

Thanks a lot for your comments. I have $50k of savings and I can tell all of it is going to be spent on b-school. The $150k of loans is scaring me but I have to go through that to go to my dream school and be best positioned for recruiting.

Also, I am an international student, which is scary considering it is harder for us to get internships/jobs.

Unlike pr0ficient I'll be really really cheap for these 2 years = no week end trips, no traveling pre-MBA, no traveling for Christmas and no diner out.

'Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things.'
 
fitzmanon:
Unlike pr0ficient I'll be really really cheap for these 2 years = no week end trips, no traveling pre-MBA, no traveling for Christmas and no diner out.
Good luck with that one! You would do well to factor those expenses into your budget because they will definitely happen more than you think they will.
 
fitzmanon:
Thanks a lot for your comments. I have $50k of savings and I can tell all of it is going to be spent on b-school. The $150k of loans is scaring me but I have to go through that to go to my dream school and be best positioned for recruiting.

Also, I am an international student, which is scary considering it is harder for us to get internships/jobs.

Unlike pr0ficient I'll be really really cheap for these 2 years = no week end trips, no traveling pre-MBA, no traveling for Christmas and no diner out.

Bro, you're doing it wrong. Part of going to a top MBA is enjoying the social opportunities. At Booth you will live in downtown and have access to an amazing city. Party your butt off with your classmates, go to nice restaurants, bars, and clubs, meet and date beautiful girls that the city has to offer, and just ball out hardcore. YOLO.

 

I took out 150k for a top 10-15 and I think it was worth it but each case is different, but whatever happens I would never ever considered less than a top 10-20 school because you'll never get your investment back..if you go into consulting/banking you'll repay the loans within 4-6 years post-MBA compared to 30+ years of incremental income...it will also provide you with opportunities to discover new path through your classmates/companies interaction during your time at the school, this is one of the most under-appreciated aspect of the MBA programme (people think they know what they want to do but ends up discovering a lot of new career paths)

 

I think people just freak out about because it seems like such a large amount of debt to be taking on in comparison to how much young professionals have made in their short careers. However if you take out a loan for $150K at 6.8% over 10 years, your monthly payments will run a little over $1,700. Assume for simplicity that the rest of your living expenses run around $2,300 (e.g. $1,000 rent, $500 car, $800 bills/food) a month and you'll have approximately $50 K in annual expenditures annually. Think of three different income scenarios post b-school: $75 Gross ($50 Net), $100 Gross ($75 Net), $150 Gross ($100 Net). In any of those three scenarios you can at least skate by initially and most likely be able to save some still. Obviously the numbers are totally arbitrary and it would depend on one's lifestyle (Rent could be $500 or $5,000 for some), but I'm willing to take that bet any day and this is just initially. Long term is really where it pays off. I think about it like this. I had a friend who never went to college and just worked construction out of highschool. He always had more money then us through college and was making slightly more than us right after we entered the workforce. He now makes about half of what my other friends make. Another friend who graduated college entered a sales role and was making just over 6 figures at 22 working under 40 hours a week. 5 years have gone by and he makes about the same and there is no upside potential in his job. He is content and not seeking any other type of position. It's likely that post bschool I would be making around the same amount as he is (basically there right now), but long term I expect to make substantially more (not that it matters, but it is a good example). I suspect when you are 50 and look back you will be very grateful you made such a tough decision when you were younger.

 

For those of you saving for b school: did any of you consider the 529 education savings plan or drawing money out of your IRA to pay for business school? And does the amount in your 529 affect how much financial aid you get from bschools? I'm wondering what is the most tax efficient way to save money for bschool.

 

Several ways. mortgage loans, loans to acquire businesses, etc.I would only suggest this though if the cash flow significantly covers the debt repayment Even if you didn't have down payments, you could use the two years to save (assuming you have a decent job) and then use that for down payment. It depends on your goals though. If you want to work up the corporate ladder or switch careers, an MBA is key. The problem I see though is most people see this as the only option. In addition, it isn't just $180,000 in loans. It is two-years worth of lost income. Even if you make around $75k all in, that brings it up to over $300k.

 
valuationGURU:
Several ways. mortgage loans, loans to acquire businesses, etc.I would only suggest this though if the cash flow significantly covers the debt repayment Even if you didn't have down payments, you could use the two years to save (assuming you have a decent job) and then use that for down payment. It depends on your goals though. If you want to work up the corporate ladder or switch careers, an MBA is key. The problem I see though is most people see this as the only option. In addition, it isn't just $180,000 in loans. It is two-years worth of lost income. Even if you make around $75k all in, that brings it up to over $300k.

You have to use said loans for their described purpose..

 
valuationGURU:
Several ways. mortgage loans, loans to acquire businesses, etc.I would only suggest this though if the cash flow significantly covers the debt repayment Even if you didn't have down payments, you could use the two years to save (assuming you have a decent job) and then use that for down payment. It depends on your goals though. If you want to work up the corporate ladder or switch careers, an MBA is key. The problem I see though is most people see this as the only option. In addition, it isn't just $180,000 in loans. It is two-years worth of lost income. Even if you make around $75k all in, that brings it up to over $300k.

Right on valuationGURU! If I had that kind of money I would not NEED to go to b-school. However, I am distraught and torn between my insatiable desire to "fit in" and my better understanding of what I should do financially. My compromise is to get a CFA and save the rest of my income.

 

OP, I'm talking to you.

I am only in college right now, but I will learn from your mistakes and only apply to McCombs. I'm going to work hard to get recruiting scholarships, have fun and live cheaply in Austin. I will try to get a TA-ship in my second year and graduate with much less debt than you.

Thanks for the free lesson.

Also, can you explain how you are reaching that 150k number?

 

Attended bschool and am currently in the process of paying back my loans. Attended an "M7" school, and am now in banking.

Listen, dealing with loans is a huge issue. The fact that you're thinking about it this seriously shows that you're financially responsible and cognizant of the sheer weight these loans can have on your savings rate.

A few pointers:

  1. Booth is a great program. You'll be a top target for banking/consulting/PE/HF, you name it. There's no reason why you should not attend. You'll have access to a phenomenal network that you can leverage post graduation.

  2. Make the most out of your experience: get good grades (I know grades don't matter for recruiting, but for scholarships, they do), have a VERY active social life. No one is going to remember you if they didn't meet you or had a fun time with you. If no one remembers you, the value of that network is severely diminished.

  3. pursue opportunities that pay. Don't go for social enterprise or luxury/retail. I'm not saying you were considering this, but there's absolutely no way you can pay off loans if you're in those career paths.

  4. Look for scholarships, whether at Booth or externally (MLT, for instance). See whether academic scholarships are given for second years based on first year performance. ROCK YOUR GRADES.

  5. Don't settle on money>brand. Network, brand, recruiting opportunities far outweigh saving 80K in the short term. Don't do this...ever. Go to the best program you get into, and if the schools are on par, then go where you fit in best.

Again, you're right: bschool is damn expensive. Looking back on my experience, I'll be quick to say it's totally worth it.

Congrats on getting into a fantastic program.

 
bankbanker101:
Attended bschool and am currently in the process of paying back my loans. Attended an "M7" school, and am now in banking.

Listen, dealing with loans is a huge issue. The fact that you're thinking about it this seriously shows that you're financially responsible and cognizant of the sheer weight these loans can have on your savings rate.

A few pointers:

  1. Booth is a great program. You'll be a top target for banking/consulting/PE/HF, you name it. There's no reason why you should not attend. You'll have access to a phenomenal network that you can leverage post graduation.

  2. Make the most out of your experience: get good grades (I know grades don't matter for recruiting, but for scholarships, they do), have a VERY active social life. No one is going to remember you if they didn't meet you or had a fun time with you. If no one remembers you, the value of that network is severely diminished.

  3. pursue opportunities that pay. Don't go for social enterprise or luxury/retail. I'm not saying you were considering this, but there's absolutely no way you can pay off loans if you're in those career paths.

  4. Look for scholarships, whether at Booth or externally (MLT, for instance). See whether academic scholarships are given for second years based on first year performance. ROCK YOUR GRADES.

  5. Don't settle on money>brand. Network, brand, recruiting opportunities far outweigh saving 80K in the short term. Don't do this...ever. Go to the best program you get into, and if the schools are on par, then go where you fit in best.

Again, you're right: bschool is damn expensive. Looking back on my experience, I'll be quick to say it's totally worth it.

Congrats on getting into a fantastic program.

This is great stuff. For mba, it's all about name brand, so you should almost always go to the best school you get into. Yes, it's super expensive, but i have yet to meet anyone who regrets attending a MBA business schools">M7 mba program ( i know plenty who regretted going to HYPSM undergrad or HYS law school or an elite STEM Phd program).

 

I understand that B-school students tend to have a proven work history and better credit profiles than undergrads. I wonder, what admission prices would be if loans weren't so easily available though. Realistically schools like HBS and Wharton could arguably charge a lot more than they do now considering the oppurtunities the provide but what about a school like Tuck or lower.

 
hopingtobreakin:
I understand that B-school students tend to have a proven work history and better credit profiles than undergrads. I wonder, what admission prices would be if loans weren't so easily available though. Realistically schools like HBS and Wharton could arguably charge a lot more than they do now considering the oppurtunities the provide but what about a school like Tuck or lower.
You should probably go lower down the rankings than Tuck. The worst kept secret is that within the Top 15-20 schools career opportunities are 90% the same across industries. CPG companies hire brand and finance managers from HBS as well as Tuck and Ross. BBs hire from Wharton, Booth, CBS, Darden, etc. And I am not talking about one off hires. I'm saying full-blown company presentations, events, and on campus interviews. Even Google hires in significant numbers across the top 10-15 schools (Wharton, Duke, Yale, Booth, etc.). Now for some industries the opportunities coming out of H/S/W are greater. But for the vast majority of students (those not doing HF/VC/PE) it's very much so the same.
 

hopingtobreakin,

Good post. Schools would be forced to lower tuition if all loans weren't approved. The easier it will be to access a loan, the more tuition prices will rise (basic supply and demand).

 
hopingtobreakin:
I understand that B-school students tend to have a proven work history and better credit profiles than undergrads. I wonder, what admission prices would be if loans weren't so easily available though. Realistically schools like HBS and Wharton could arguably charge a lot more than they do now considering the oppurtunities the provide but what about a school like Tuck or lower.

Wrong. They can only charge their current rates BECAUSE of student loans. Without it, capital would be hard to come by. A significant amount of people going to those schools do not have a background in IB, and would never have the amount of money to pay for school as they do with loans.

 

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Nostrum accusamus ab ea id eos. Nemo velit autem enim minima veritatis. Dolor quae eum ut illum et.

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success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”