Episode Details

When someone asks whether a certain degree is "worth it," there's finally some data to answer that. We analyzed debt-to-income ratios across dozens of professions from our survey of over 8,000 high-income professionals, and the results tell a pretty clear story about who's managing student debt well — and who's getting squeezed.

I'll also share a few thoughts on what these numbers mean in real life, like how income, housing costs, and lifestyle choices play into long-term financial outcomes.

Key moments:

(01:56) Professions with the lowest debt-to-income ratios and why practicality beats prestige

(05:37) The hidden stress gap between generalists and specialists in healthcare and dentistry

(09:05) Why certain degree programs may be setting students up to fail financially

(13:06) Who's building the most wealth relative to income

(14:47) Spending patterns that separate comfortable from stressed-out professionals

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?

• Try our free student loan calculator
• Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated
• Book your custom student loan plan
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!