Graduate Student Tuition and Financial Aid

Attending graduate school is one of the best investments you will ever make in yourself and your future. While the benefits related to personal development and growth are priceless, you can also expect your MS Accountancy degree to expand your career options and enhance your earning power in the marketplace.

Because there are so many variables, calculating the return on investment of your own MSA degree is impossible to accurately predict. However, websites like finaid.org provide sample calculator that will estimate your ROI, break-even and Net Present Value based on your particular situation. You can also find a calculator that will compute the size of your monthly loan payments and the salary required to manage those payments.

The following web links provide helpful information about the employment and career outlook for accountants:

Accounting Jobs Today – “Choosing between public accounting and private industry means learning about a wide range of choices and career paths that each area of the field offers.”

AICPA Sponsored Site – “Select an interest area and see how accounting can take you there.”

Bureau of Labor Statistics – “Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 16% from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.”

Robert Half 2012 Salary Guide – “Our annual Salary Guide includes starting salary ranges for more than 300 accounting, finance and financial services positions.”

Becker Professional Education: Career Opportunities – “The roles of CPAs are as diverse and interesting as the individuals holding this designation. What you do as a CPA depends on your professional goals and areas of interest – the choice is yours!”

Graduate tuition for the 2013-2014 school year is $806 per credit. You can expect that cost to rise by approximately 4% per year in the future.

Most graduate students are working professionals who take courses part-time. The MSA degree requires completion of a total of 30 credits. Typically, a part-time student completes their MSA in 2 years. Full-time students can complete the program in one year.

Based on these assumptions, the estimated total tuition cost of your Edgewood College MSA degree would be approximately $24,665.

Note - These estimates assume that you have satisfied all foundation requirements before enrolling in the program. If foundation courses are required, that will increase the total cost of the MSA degree and delay your completion. Please contact an admissions counselor for more details.

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. You are eligible for these low interest loans (currently 6.8%) if you enroll in a minimum of 4 credits per semester. Loans are limited to a total of $20,500 per year.

Click here for more information on Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Based on results of the loan payment calculator from finaid.org, if you chose to finance the entire cost of your Edgewood College MSA degree through Stafford Loans, your monthly payment would be $284/month for a 10-year repayment plan.

Remember, completing your graduate degree is an investment in yourself and your career. Be sure to consider not only the total cost of your education, but think about how that total breaks down in terms of monthly costs, which can make your investment feel more manageable and affordable.

Tuition Reimbursement - Many MSA students receive aid from their employers in the form of tuition reimbursement. Edgewood College will defer your tuition payment for the semester until two weeks after grades have been posted, giving you time to provide your HR department with proof that you successfully completed your courses and for your company to reimburse you.

Third party billing - You may authorize your employer or another third party to view and pay tuition bills.

Monthly billing plan - You may choose to pay your tuition in 5 monthly installments during the semester, spreading out the impact of your investment.

Electronic Payment - Edgewood College accepts payments by e-check or credit/debit cards, making payments easy and convenient.

Edgewood College accepts Veterans Administration educational benefits that are available to veterans and their families including the revised Post-9/11 GI Bill. Edgewood College is also proud to offer the Eagle Grant initiative, as part of Edgewood's commitment to the Yellow Ribbon Program, which may cover tuition costs for qualified candidates. For more information, contact Matthew Schroeder at 608.663.4266 or at Veterans@edgewood.edu.

Provide valuable advice - Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your MSA education.

Don't think you can do it? Edgewood College thinks you can!