I grew up extremely poor, so here are my stats:

  • 27 years old, career in healthcare (Bachelor degree)
  • No savings, 18k USD in cheap student loan debt (1% interest rate)
  • Earn 2500 USD/month after taxes, rent is 660 USD/month + ~150 USD/month in usual bills (excluding student loan, I will first begin paying that in 2020)

This is my current situation. I am wondering how fucked I am, and if there's anything I could do to make my finances better.

I COULD take a 2 years master degree after the coming summer, in one of the following:

  • Clinical science and technology, Master
  • Master of Science in Health Science
  • Master of Public Health

I am lucky enough that the degree will be free in my case, and I will even get a salary of 880 USD/month and an apartment for 300 USD/month. I am very confident that I would be able to excel at the master degree.

What is the rational thing to do in my situation? Is a master degree worth it, knowing that I will lose my salary? Is there any other way of getting out of my situation?