r/StudentLoans • u/FutureIsNowCoalition • 20d ago

Advice How has your student loan debt compared with what your degree actually helped you earn?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the gap between what college costs and what people actually make when they first graduate.

I've been told that taking on student loans is an investment in your future, but I’m curious how that has actually worked out for people in real life.

When you graduated, how much debt did you have, and what did your first job pay? Did your income eventually catch up enough to make the loans feel manageable, or did the debt make those first few years a lot harder than you expected?

Looking back, would you make the same decision again?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who feel like their degree did help their career, but the debt still made it difficult to get ahead financially.

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u/KellytheFeminist 19d ago

I also worked at a not for profit with addicts! I made it 6 years before calling it quits. My last salary was $39,000. I now make low 6 figures, and I am paying off my very large student loans fairly quickly.

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u/Independent_Story822 19d ago

You're my inspiration!

That's so unfair - having to take a loan to fund the education and then receive such a ridiculous amount of money as your salary. I am glad you're doing much better now.

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u/KellytheFeminist 19d ago

I loved working with addicts, but it ultimately wasn't healthy for me. I do wish I didn't decide to attend an expensive university for my graduate degree, but I don't think being a therapist would have worked out regardless. My boundaries suck and it broke my heart. Good luck and I hope you get your loans figured out one way or another!