 TITLE: How to Pay for Grad School CONTENT: Formulate a Plan and Know How Much You'll Pay\n---------------------------------------------\nThe cost of graduate school can vary widely depending on the type of program you choose, whether you plan to attend a public or private school, and whether the school is in your home state. For 2019-20, The College Board reports, average tuition and fees for a master's degree at a public four-year college was $8,990; at a private four-year college, it was $31,140.\nChoosing your graduate program wisely can help you keep costs down while still providing a solid education. As you look at schools and programs, it's a good idea to run through your own cost-benefit analysis and ask yourself the following questions:\n*   How may a graduate degree affect your future earnings in the field you plan to enter?\n*   Will the job you want be in demand once you're done with your degree?\n*   How well does a particular school prepare its graduates to find jobs?\n*   What is the value of a school's reputation or the connections you can make there?\n*   What do recent graduates have to say about the value of their degree?\nRemember to include the estimated cost of rent, transportation, food, textbooks and other expenses when comparing the costs of various graduate programs. Each school should provide an estimated cost of attending that takes these expenses into account. END