Great topic!! I wish there were more responses because I am too (not to sound repetitive) very curious about this. I have been torn with the decision of MS versus PhD. I currently am working towards an MS and work in the medical industry.

Personally, I think it is about the industry you are intending on getting into and the amount of responsibility/salary you aiming to achieve. I have always heard a BS is the baseline for getting a career. Although, I have a few friends who have not attended college at all who are doing well enough to live on their own and are very successful in what they are doing right now. Depending on the job, they may or may not at some point want to strive for more due to having a less mentally challenging career or will reach a maximum amount of pay where more education will be necessary. I also know some people who have completed their BS, yet don’t utilize their ungraduated degree in their current job – which in a sense may back up the thought of having a degree is an expected requirement/baseline for a resume. I think when it comes to no college, some college, an associates or a bachelors, it depends on the field of study, the industry, who you know, and how hard you are willing to work your way up. From my experience in the medical industry, I have heard of several people needing to continue for their graduate degree to gain more knowledge for their current position.

Where I am really torn is between MS and PhD. Once you are aiming for a graduate degree, in my opinion you are really trying to refine your career path. I have always heard PhD students are less likely to receive jobs because they are required to start at higher salaries, so companies typically hire MS students or students with experience. I currently am a MS student, but I love to learn and feel I could/would love to continue on towards gaining my PhD. And once you are in a company, you are highly respected and are able to obtain a lot more responsibility and authorization with a PhD.