ROI in Perspective: Personal and Professional
Choosing to invest the time, money, and energy into a graduate degree likely comes with the hope that it will pay off with measurable ROI. The return on investment — both professionally and personally — is typically the main motivation to pursue a graduate degree.
How do we measure ROI? How do we compare the ROI of multiple programs or career paths? And is the payoff solely financial or is there more to the value of an MPA?
Professional ROI
In general, professionals who invest in graduate education are reported to earn an average of 21 percent more in salary compared to those who hold only a bachelor’s degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2023. The Bureau of Labor Statistics backs up this claim with research that shows similar increases in earnings and a significantly lower rate of unemployment among master’s degree holders.
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional graduate degree that prepares mission-driven students for interdisciplinary careers working in public administration. The MPA is a rigorous, advanced degree that prepares individuals for management careers and leadership roles across the field of public affairs — in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Cornell’s Master of Public Administration degree gives students a variety of opportunities to augment their education with experiential learning activities and in turn, provides students with the relevant materials needed to build an impressive, robust résumé — before and after graduation.
Our Brooks MPA students are poised to enter the job market with a competitive edge. Historically, more than 90 percent have found full-time employment in the field or have moved on to further graduate study within nine months of graduation.
Employment Breakdown by Sector/ Further Education
Employment Distribution by Location
This data represents the Class of 2022’s employment rate with a 56% response rate as of December 7, 2022.
The Cornell Brooks School MPA coursework is designed to:
- Cultivate your critical thinking skills
- Increase your knowledge about policy-making
- Develop your expertise in a specific area of policy
Getting a cutting-edge graduate degree that promotes these skills makes you more qualified for more senior leadership roles, which also results in increased salary potential and more opportunities for professional promotion.
Download the MPA Degree Career Report!
Personal ROI
Leading in Today’s Volatile World
Political unrest. Climate change. Public health needs. Migration rights. National debt. Education reform. These are just a few of the many pressing public policy issues affecting the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. If you’re interested in positively impacting the field of public service and passionate about improving people’s lives, a graduate degree in public administration and a career in the field of public affairs is an ideal path for you.
Choosing to invest in an advanced academic program isn’t for the faint of heart, though. Ivy-league, graduate-level coursework is rigorous and intellectually challenging, but for those who are passionate about lifelong learning, earning a graduate degree is the perfect opportunity to continue to broaden your knowledge base while increasing your future professional potential.
The ROI of your personal fulfillment is difficult to quantify. For professionals who are committed to mission-driven, results-oriented work, further cultivating your marketable skills with a graduate degree will enable you to secure a leadership role necessary to impact real, tangible change in the lives of others.
