International Student at UPenn ChemE: Is a $100k+ Master’s Degree Actually Worth the Debt?
Hi everyone!
I’m an international student from India (23 F) and have been admitted to the MSE in Chemical Engineering program at UPenn. I deferred my admission to Fall 2027.
A little about me: I graduated from IIT Guwahati and currently have around two years of work experience in consultancy, primarily in the chemical sector with some exposure to textiles and apparel.
I wanted to get some realistic insights from current students, alumni, or anyone familiar with the program:
What is the actual total cost of completing the master’s degree at UPenn, including tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and any other miscellaneous costs?
How much should I realistically budget for a year in Philadelphia?
For international students, is taking a loan for this degree worth it?
Are job opportunities and salaries after graduation sufficient to repay the loan comfortably, or does the debt become overwhelming?
I’d really appreciate any honest experiences, especially from international students who financed their degree through loans. Thanks in advance!