Dilemma with applying for PhD and maybe stopping at Masters

<p>I want at least a masters in EE, but getting a Masters is either super expensive with a terminal masters at some place like Stanford or requires me to get it while doing a PhD. Anyone know of the reprecussions of quitting a PhD program because getting a PhD? Any top tier schools offer a reasonably priced or offer funding for Masters students?</p>

<p>The repercussion is that you run a high risk of burning your bridges with your adviser and your department. This limits your options for recommendations and references, and would looks bad for future PhD admissions.</p>

<p>I don’t know too much about EE masters funding but I know someone at Illinois who got it…</p>

<p>How about getting a job and then having your employers fund your Masters? Seems to work for many people especially with EE majors.</p>

<p>Although I wouldn’t know too much about that happening recently. I am talking about an earlier era when employers like AT&T etc. would fund a Masters. I don’t know in this climate which employer would do that.</p>

<p>Many Fortune 100 companies that hire you on as a junior engineer have opportunities like that. Also tech companies in the DC area.</p>