Job vs Higher Studies — A Timeline of Both Paths Over 10 Years

The placement season is over. You have an offer — maybe not your dream company, but a real salary. Meanwhile, your friends are filling out GRE applications and CAT forms. The question hits: should you start earning now, or invest two more years in a degree?

Here’s what both paths actually look like, year by year.

The “Start Working” Timeline

Year 1 (Age 22)

You join as a fresher. Salary: ₹4–8 LPA at a decent company, more if you’re from a top college. The first three months are overwhelming — corporate culture, new tools, imposter syndrome. By month six, you’re contributing. By month twelve, you understand how your company actually works (spoiler: nothing like college taught you).

You’re living independently, possibly sharing a flat. After rent, food, and some lifestyle spending, you save ₹1–2 lakh. You start a SIP almost accidentally because a colleague told you to.

Year 2-3 (Age 23-24)

You switch jobs. This is where private sector salaries jump — a 40-80% hike by moving to a better company or a competitor. You’re now at ₹8–14 LPA. Your professional network is growing. You’ve learned what you’re good at and what bores you.

Some friends are just starting their MBA or MS programs. You’re two years and ₹8-15 lakh ahead financially.

Year 4-5 (Age 25-26)

You’re a mid-level professional. For tech roles, ₹14–25 LPA is common. For non-tech, ₹10–18 LPA. You’ve been promoted once or twice. You have real skills and a resume that speaks for itself.

At this point, some working professionals do an executive MBA or part-time master’s — funded partially by their employer. They get the credential without giving up their salary.

Year 7-10 (Age 28-31)

You’re now a senior professional or early manager. Salary: ₹20–50 LPA in tech, ₹15–30 LPA in non-tech. You’ve saved and invested consistently. Your net worth is ₹30–60 lakh including investments, PF, and savings.

The “Higher Studies First” Timeline

Year 1-2 (Age 22-23)

You’re in a classroom again. If it’s an MBA, you’re doing case studies, group projects, internships, and placement preparation. If it’s an MS abroad, you’re in a new country, adapting to a new education system, possibly working part-time for ₹800–1200/hour at campus jobs.

Cost: MBA at a top Indian B-school (IIM): ₹15–25 lakh. MS in the US/UK/Germany: ₹20–40 lakh including living expenses. Money is going out, not coming in.

Year 3 (Age 24)

You graduate with your postgraduate degree. MBA placement: ₹12–25 LPA (from top B-schools). MS placement abroad: $70K–$100K (₹55–80 LPA), but cost of living abroad eats a huge chunk. MS placement in India: ₹10–20 LPA.

You’re entering the workforce two years later than your peers who started working. But your starting point is higher — sometimes 2-3x higher.

Year 5-7 (Age 26-28)

Your MBA/MS premium starts compounding. Management consultants from top B-schools are at ₹25–40 LPA. MS grads in the US are at $100K–$140K with 3–4 years of experience. You’ve caught up with and started overtaking peers who started working earlier.

But — and this is important — you started from a ₹15–40 lakh deficit (tuition + lost income). The financial crossover point (where your total lifetime earnings exceed the “start working” path) usually happens around year 6–8 after graduation, IF your postgrad degree was from a good institution.

Year 8-10 (Age 29-31)

If you went to a top program, you’re now clearly ahead. VP-level at a consulting firm, senior manager at a tech company, or rapidly growing in your field. Salary: ₹30–80 LPA.

If you went to an average program, you might be roughly at the same level as someone who started working immediately and upskilled on the job. The degree didn’t hurt, but it didn’t accelerate either.

The Uncomfortable Truth About ROI

Higher studies multiplies your career trajectory only if the institution is strong. Here’s the harsh math:

Top 10 MBA programs (IIMs, ISB, XLRI, FMS): Almost always worth it. Median salary jumps are 3–5x. The network alone is worth the tuition.

MBA from a ranked 30-100 college: Uncertain ROI. Placement stats are inflated. Many graduates earn ₹8–12 LPA — not dramatically better than what they’d earn with 2 years of work experience and no MBA.

MS from a top 50 global university: Excellent ROI if you plan to work abroad. The US, Germany, and Canada actively hire MS grads in tech and data science.

MS from a mid-tier university abroad: Risky. Visa uncertainty, high tuition, and potentially returning to India with the same job market but ₹25–30 lakh in debt.

When Working First Is Clearly Better

• You have a good job offer in hand (₹6 LPA+) and aren’t sure WHAT you want to study further
• You’re considering MBA — top B-schools actually prefer candidates with 2–3 years of work experience
• Your family needs financial support now
• You’re interested in fields where experience beats degrees (startups, sales, content, design)
• You got into an average postgrad program — the ROI may not justify the cost

When Higher Studies First Is Clearly Better

• You got into a top-tier program (IIM, ISB, MIT, Stanford, NTU) — don’t overthink it, go
• Your target career requires a postgraduate degree (research, academia, specialized consulting)
• You want to change your field entirely (engineering to finance, science to management)
• You’re planning to go abroad permanently — MS is the most common entry route
• Your current job market is weak and the opportunity cost of studying is low

The Third Option Nobody Pushes

Work for 2–3 years, then do your MBA or MS.

This is statistically the most successful path for MBA students. You know what you want, you have professional maturity, your application is stronger, and some employers sponsor part or all of the tuition.

For MS programs, this is less common (grad school in STEM prefers younger applicants), but working 1–2 years before an MS builds practical context that enhances your research and coursework.

The urgency to decide “now” is manufactured. You’re 22. You have time.