What are the disadvantages of going to graduate school in engineering?
The main disadvantages are the cost of tuition and living expenses and the delay in starting full-time work and earning an income. Research progress and results are uncertain, and specialization may become narrower than with an undergraduate degree. If graduate study is not required for the jobs you are considering, there is also an opportunity cost because you may postpone practical experience or other learning opportunities. Depending on the laboratory or program, research, presentations, and papers can also create a substantial workload.
Key points
- Tuition and living costs, plus a later start to earning income
- Uncertainty in research and the possibility of narrower specialization
- Opportunity costs, such as postponing work experience, and the workload of research activities
Things to check
- The level of burden and whether graduate study is necessary vary by university, field, laboratory, job, and student goals, so check the official information for the specific program.