A few years ago, going to graduate or professional school seemed like a smart way to wait out a miserable economy. Students who picked up an extra degree may now be wondering if it was worth the time and expense. In terms of salary expectations, the answer is yes. The Census Bureau reports that workers with a master’s degree earn an annual $74,217, on average, compared with $58,762 for bachelor’s degree recipients and $32,812 for high-school-only graduates. Professional degrees bring in an average of $128,578.

But the average grad-school debt for students who borrow tops $30,000 for a master’s degree and approaches $90,000 for a professional degree, not including undergraduate loans. If your monthly payment exceeds 10 percent of your monthly income, you could end up struggling financially for the sake of that degree. Vet the prospects for your profession before spending (or borrowing) to go to graduate school.