4 ms·

If you don't mind my asking, where is 'here'? In the US if you get a Bachelors at 30 you'll probably be paying for it until late 50's or 60's

s1artibartfast 6y ago
Cal state school tuition is <8K yr. If it takes 25 years to pay off a 32K debt with a CS degree in California, you may have other challenges.
- badrabbit 6y ago
  When you do it part time, it takes much more than 4 years. Interest accumulates over time too. I knew a guy with a CS degree that couldn't get a job 5 years after too. Even if you do get work with only CS it won't pay as much as even junior jobs at tech/finance/oil firms (which are picky and cheap) on top of that people in their 40s usually support a family so loan payments will usually be minimal. A decade at least even for the dilligent
  - s1artibartfast 6y ago
    I agree that the CS degree isn't without risk. I also agree that it wouldnt make financial sense to leave a career in tech/finance/oil to go back to school in CS. That said, the median individual income in the US is about 35K [1] and the median entry level CS salary is about 80K [2]. For a lot of people, that is a great deal for the cost. My big concern is what happens to the people who don't make it through the program, but get stuck with debt they can't discharge. [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N [2] https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/salaries https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/...
    - badrabbit 6y ago
      A late 30s guy with a CS degree and no experience will get far less than the median entry level. I think having sufficient social services and interest free tuition assistance for working adults would help a lot.
      - legerdemain 6y ago
        Late-30s career changers with a fresh CS degree are rare enough that it's hard to talk in knee-jerk generalities. Did you have stats for a population of people like this? Do you have friends or relatives in this situation? Have you hired a person like that for horrifically low pay? I'd very curious to hear about your experience!
        badrabbit 6y ago
        Just vaguely remembered stories from people at a community college course I attended a few years ago, some were trying to do more after a CS degree.
      - s1artibartfast 6y ago
        For what it is worth, Pell grants offer up to $6,350/yr financial aid no strings attached. FAFSA offers ~$12,000/yr interest free loan while you are in school. Both programs are means tested though.
        legerdemain 6y ago
        Pell grants are only available for students working on their first degree. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the omnibus application form for a range of federal student aid (including Pell grants). Are you thinking of Stafford loans?
        s1artibartfast 6y ago
        I’m not so familiar with all of the programs, but the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program is probably what I was looking at
tester756 6y ago
Poland

s1artibartfast 6y ago

Cal state school tuition is <8K yr. If it takes 25 years to pay off a 32K debt with a CS degree in California, you may have other challenges.

badrabbit 6y ago
When you do it part time, it takes much more than 4 years. Interest accumulates over time too. I knew a guy with a CS degree that couldn't get a job 5 years after too. Even if you do get work with only CS it won't pay as much as even junior jobs at tech/finance/oil firms (which are picky and cheap) on top of that people in their 40s usually support a family so loan payments will usually be minimal. A decade at least even for the dilligent
- s1artibartfast 6y ago
  I agree that the CS degree isn't without risk. I also agree that it wouldnt make financial sense to leave a career in tech/finance/oil to go back to school in CS. That said, the median individual income in the US is about 35K [1] and the median entry level CS salary is about 80K [2]. For a lot of people, that is a great deal for the cost. My big concern is what happens to the people who don't make it through the program, but get stuck with debt they can't discharge. [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N [2] https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/salaries https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/...
  - badrabbit 6y ago
    A late 30s guy with a CS degree and no experience will get far less than the median entry level. I think having sufficient social services and interest free tuition assistance for working adults would help a lot.
    - legerdemain 6y ago
      Late-30s career changers with a fresh CS degree are rare enough that it's hard to talk in knee-jerk generalities. Did you have stats for a population of people like this? Do you have friends or relatives in this situation? Have you hired a person like that for horrifically low pay? I'd very curious to hear about your experience!
      - badrabbit 6y ago
        Just vaguely remembered stories from people at a community college course I attended a few years ago, some were trying to do more after a CS degree.
    - s1artibartfast 6y ago
      For what it is worth, Pell grants offer up to $6,350/yr financial aid no strings attached. FAFSA offers ~$12,000/yr interest free loan while you are in school. Both programs are means tested though.
      - legerdemain 6y ago
        Pell grants are only available for students working on their first degree. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the omnibus application form for a range of federal student aid (including Pell grants). Are you thinking of Stafford loans?
        s1artibartfast 6y ago
        I’m not so familiar with all of the programs, but the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program is probably what I was looking at

tester756 6y ago

Poland