<p>"That's what people make without a degree."</p>
<p>Not, this is what people make with a bachelor's degree. People with a HS diploma make 15,000-30,000 (if they are lucky)</p>
<p>It all depends on where you live, how many dependents you have, etc. </p>
<p>But based on my circumstances, at least, $40,000+ would be great.</p>
<p>15,000 is below minimum wage for a full-time employee in MA. Hooray high cost of living.</p>
<p>I'm putting my bets on 200k eventually per year.</p>
<p>Assets, maybe about 10 million. And yes, I do have unrealistically high expectations.</p>
<p>
<p>Not, this is what people make with a bachelor's degree. People with a HS diploma make 15,000-30,000 (if they are lucky)
</p>
<p>You obviously need to get out more.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Maybe in his area thats what people with bachelors usually make. Its sad to know that a lot of kids graduating thinking they are going start making 70,000+a year.</p>
<p>30,000-40,000 is realistic for an entry level position</p>
<p>
[quote]
You think 30,000 - 40,000 is a good starting salary? That's what people make without a degree.
[/quote]
In the oil field people can make 100K+ without a degree. Albeit, they're doing hard manual labor 70 hours weeks in ~100 degree Fahrenheit weather.</p>
<p>A HS diploma doesn't curse you to low income. A college degree doesn't bless you with high income. Industry, skill set, personality, work ethic, & luck all play hugely in what you make.</p>
<p>"Its sad to know that a lot of kids graduating thinking they are going start making 70,000+a year."</p>
<p>Generally, the people who think this go to a school where that's a very possible, if not average, starting salary.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In the oil field people can make 100K+ without a degree. Albeit, they're doing hard manual labor 70 hours weeks in ~100 degree Fahrenheit weather.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Doesn't sound like a bad summer job. 25,000 dollars over the summer, working a 70 hour week? Wow, I could solve my four-year debt in one season.</p>
<p>Here's my plan:</p>
<p>After I get my degree, I'll go to work for some company, and if I'm lucky, I'll get $50,000 per year. I'm gifted with language skills, and people who can speak multiple languages can get very good jobs. I'll work my way up rather quickly, maybe even getting to $100,000 within five years. Then, rather than going to buy a fancy house in a gated suburb, I'm going to live within my means. I'll maybe have a little downtown apartment, or a little ranch house close to the city center. That way, I can use my money to buy what I want, rather than throwing it at a pile of bricks. I'll also spend maybe $15-20,000 on a car that gets good gas mileage, because it's more eco-friendly, and again, I can use my money for something other than contributions to the Chevron CEO Retirement Fund.</p>
<p>It's not about HOW MUCH you make, but how you USE your money effectively. I'd much rather have a good nest egg than a Lexus.</p>
<p>
<p>Generally, the people who think this go to a school where that's a very possible, if not average, starting salary.
</p>
<p>I agree. The University of Pennsylvania has a program in which a kid can complete his/her bachelors in economics along with his/her masters in finance at the same time. </p>
<p>The 2008 average, starting salary from Penn in those circumstances is $145,000 (In today's economy. In 2002 it was $154,000)</p>
<p>Same goes for other prestigious business schools. Again, remember that there are several programs in which a kid can either do his/her bachelors and masters at the same time OR wait a little time between the two depending on his/her ability. </p>
<p>Point is: It is very possible to make $70,000+ out of college. Depends on who you are and what you are willing to do.</p>
<p>"Generally, the people who think this go to a school where that's a very possible, if not average, starting salary."</p>
<p>I was generally speaking about my peers who think college = automatic financial security.</p>
<p>Anedoctal evidence: we had to a career planning and budget activity and people in my class started freaking out when they looked at the middle 50% income of jobs that weren't engineering, lawyer, or a doctor.</p>
<p>They were turned off by the starting salaries and as a result more of my peers are "aspring" to be the said 3 professions I listed.</p>
<p>The sources we used were the occupational handbook and salary.com</p>
<p>"Point is: It is very possible to make $70,000+ out of college. Depends on who you are and what you are willing to do."</p>
<p>Very true. I imagine its easier for people with good networking skills</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Point is: It is very possible to make $70,000+ out of college. Depends on who you are and what you are willing to do."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Who are you kidding? what kind of 70,000 are we talking about here? base salary excluding bonus or including a bonus...and is th is like NYC, or LA or San fran...most places in America 55,000 is very good after college...</p>
<p>I live in Long Island which is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. My dad complained of getting 90K per year. In another setting like Florida, that kind of money would be perfect. But in other places, it'll seem too little. Personally, I would be happy in earning 100K a year.</p>
<p>$90K in my area is enough to buy a small house. But that also means people make less money. It's difficult to find a job in my area that pays over $50,000 per year. That also makes salaries worthless when people travel to larger cities. So yes, the cost of living greatly affects people's views on a good salary.</p>
<p>160k (this includes bonus) right out of college (Ibanking ftw)</p>
<p>After 5-10 years, the sky is the limit!</p>
<p>50,000 to 60,000</p>
<p>I would be perfectly fine with that living by myself.</p>
<p>I don't want a rolex watch or a yacht or mansion. That doesn't seem like a life I'd want to live. lolzzzz</p>
<p>Researchers don't make much, do they. :(</p>
<p>I suppose all this essay-writing is preparing me for writing requests for research grants.</p>
<p>Instead of "Why School X?" it'll be "Why National Science Foundation?"</p>
<p>"I suppose all this essay-writing is preparing me for writing requests for research grants.</p>
<p>Instead of "Why School X?" it'll be "Why National Science Foundation?""</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>When I visited an archeology site last year thats what the lady told us</p>