Spouse going back to school at 40.

[bigdaddybus]

So my spouse is debating on going back to school for 2 yrs to get her bachelors in Business Management. I am all for it, but she is a bit hesitant and somewhat content in her current position.

I am not sure how best to convince her its a good idea. Her current base salary range is 70K to 122K and she makes around 76K and can pretty much plan to "eventually" be topped out before retirement, but no promotions due to no degree. With a degree, her range would be 86K -155K with larger bonuses than current role, and the possibility of additional promotions.

Schooling is 100% refunded for A's and B's. 50% refunded for C's.

Any experience with Capella University?

As a working mom with kids ages 3,4,12, and 13 I understand her reluctance. We are in complete agreement that we are happy with our current lifestyle and large salary increases for either of us will mostly be used to expedite our retirement and add to college funds. (Which is what excites me)

Any working parents on here go back for degrees? Thoughts?

[HappySaver]

Will there be any subjective decisions made based on where she gets her degree from, or does she just need the degree?

I would say that Capella, along with the other for profit online universities, are not held in the same regard as bricks-and-mortar universities, many of which also offer online degrees as part of their evening programs.

Take a look at some of those, too.

[bigdaddybus]

Not really, we both have worked 15yrs for a large company ranked in the Fortune top 30. As long as the school is approved by our employer is all we have looked at thus far.
Due to benefits, I don't see us changing employers unless something drastically changes.

[cardtrick]

I would never attend a for-profit school even if my employer paid 100% of the cost. It would be a waste of my time. Your employer might not care (as far as promotions and wages are concerned) what school you went to once you're hired, but if you were to apply for new jobs, it would look pretty bad if you had Capella or University of Phoenix on your resume. If you're going to spend the time, might as well do it at a real university (yes, i said it. A real university. For-profits are a joke).

Not saying that all traditional schools are great. But most are better than any for-profit out there.