how much is TOO much?

<p>debt debt debt.
i'm wondering what you guys think is a 'healthy' amount of loans to take out each year. of course the lesser the better, but that is not my case.</p>

<p>i will be a sophomore so i will need to finance my education for 3 more years.</p>

<p>what do you think is the maximum amount in loans i should take out each year? i don't think it really matters too much, but i'm a business major and i am pursuing a career in i-banking or consulting. i know the salaries are generally higher for those careers, but living expense and tax in nyc don't really help too much.</p>

<p>i also have seen posts like this one in the business major forum, people asking if graduating from stern with over 100k in debt is worth it (which i think is not), but those responses mainly came from over-zealous young kids who think landing a job in ibanking will set them financially free.</p>

<p>really depends on how realistic of a chance u have of landing an ibanking job.. other than that i say about 15-20k a year is reasonable as you will be landing a high paying job and have no way to spend it because of the hours.</p>

<p>I would generally say no more than $30,000 total, unless you can honestly rationalize why you need to go to school x over school z, and how you plan to pay all that money back.</p>

<p>Of course, everyone's situation is different; some will need to borrow more money than others.</p>

<p>Well, I've been seeing that the average debt for students from most private universities is about 20k, so they must be doing something right. I'd think most people are doing things to get rid of that debt while in school, and not waiting for that ibanking job. It all depends on what you're doing though...since you are a business major and you're going to Ross, you will be making a better salary and have an easier time paying back loans than say, a history major. :) But, it all depends on how far you're gonna go. If you plan on going to grad school and/or think you're going to be making a very nice salary (around 80k or up I guess), then your debt shouldn't be a burden.</p>

<p>30k total? -_-
i'm comparing my state university to umich (out of state)
if i attend my state university, i'll graduate with around 40k in debt.
if i attend umich, i'll graduate with around 80k in debt.</p>

<p>lol and if i attend one of the many universities i am considering (besides UT) chances are my debt will be around 120k...that is, if I don't do something about it while I'm in college. An education at UMich is worth 80k...</p>

<p>If you have plans of going to graduate school, $80K may be too much of a loan to take for a bachelor's degree. I could definetly understand for an MBA, but otherwise you'll be knee-deep in debt.</p>

<p>of course i plan on going for an mba sometime down the road..</p>

<p>it really depends on ur university... for example, i understand u want to go to u mich ross oos. It'll be about 35k right? but if your instate university is Mccombs or Haas, then its not worth it. But if you live in a state with crappy public universities, its totally worth the money.</p>

<p>you think so? even with that huge of a debt?
my state university is rutgers by the way (new jersey).</p>

<p>then i think you're making the right move...rutgers and umich (especially ross) aren't comparable and it is worth it.</p>

<p>If you seriously want ibanking, you have almost no chance from Rutgers if you're not very connected (dad in the business). Banks recruit from Ross, but you need to be near the top of the class in addition to having the personality ibanks seek, so there's no guarantee but a shot if you're willing to work hard. Stern is best of the three for your goal and would be worth a $20K investment over the cost of Ross.</p>

<p>You should have as much debt as the yearly pay of your potential job.</p>

<p>nicely put. thanks.</p>

<p>You need to realize that in your yearly pay, a certain amount will be taken out for taxes, utilities/rent (mortgage if you want a house), your own living expenses (groceries, clothes), and there will only be a small amount left that you could pay for loans. Personally, I think it's stupid to go 80K in debt for undergrad; a degree that isn't even looked at. 40K in debt is high as well. If you have financial need, then apply to schools that meet that need. It makes no sense to place a financial burden upon yourself, when there are other options. Most any reputable school will land you a good job, go to the one where you will graduate with the least debt. 80K is ridiculous for Michigan, the average debt of graduates there is 22K. And the majority of that debt are in loans that have been subsidized, if you're talking 80K, that's 8-9% in interest (1700 per year for 4 years - 6800) in addition to that 80K. Your starting salary isn't going to be even 60K likely, unless you get really lucky and make good money.</p>

<p>How do you think so many ppl only graduate with around 20k in debt, even from private universities? Scholarships during school, or part-time jobs? I'm most likely going to get a part-time job to start paying it off but is there anything else you think those people do?</p>

<p>a2wolves is just angry cuz he got rejected from the UM waitlist.</p>

<p>nobody cares that you waited 267 days for your decision. it's so funny and ironic how enthusiastic and passionate you were about umich until you got rejected. grow up. life goes on. 267 days? i got rejected from umich my senior year, took a year off, went to community college for a year, went to rutgers for a year, and NOW i finally got an acceptance from umich.</p>

<p>lol awww helll here it comes</p>

<p>as for other options? all of the schools i got accepted to as a transfer gave me no aid whatsoever. for example, do you honestly think i will pay 32k a year to attend Indiana? i would definitely stay at rutgers and pay 16k a year than go to indiana, but Umich is a different story.</p>

<p>This has nothing to do with my Michigan rejection at all. It has nothing to do with Indiana. I never stated either in any of my text. You asked a question "how much is too much" and I gave a solid answer, if you didn't want advice then perhaps you don't belong on these boards.</p>

<p>There is no point in putting such a financial burden upon yourself when you have another option of a good school for 1/2 the price. I wouldn't pay 40K for Harvard if I got into Texas for 20K. There is a certain price that you should pay for a "trade up" in degree prestige, and 40K isn't worth Michigan when you have an alternative that is much cheaper. This is why more and more students go to community colleges and transfer each year, you still get the degree, but pay 1/4 the price others do for it.</p>