A significant trend among graduate engineering schools is that nearly half the doctorates awarded last year in U.S. universities went to international students. MIT was followed closely by Stanford and, not surprisingly, other Ivy League schools such as Cornell, Princeton, Harvard and Columbia also figured in prominently. The cost of graduate degrees and the prospect of getting deeply into debt has caused some students to wonder if schooling in the nation's most prestigious institutions is worthwhile. Yet most experts claim that the payoff for education at even the most expensive schools is well worth the investment. Some students have resorted to working full or part time jobs, while attending graduate school on a part time basis.
Night school is an alternative to many students who prefer to save money while working.
Many businesses and firms pay partial tuition to employees moonlighting as students. Despite skyrocketing costs and a highly competitive field of applicants it remains certain that graduate education will continue to be a much sought after avenue of life. The reputations of academic institutions are often crucial to the professional success of graduates competing for positions in elite law firms, renowned hospitals, businesses and engineering corporations. The future promises to hold a variety of educational opportunities for students seeking to expand their horizons.