Well when the masters degrees (let alone doctorates) from the GOOD colleges/universities cost upwards of 180,000 USD to 250,000+ USD; If you are a middle class citizen or below (u gotta earn more than 7 million annually to become upper class last i checked in 2011 in USA) Its kinda IMPOSSIBLE to get a masters degree unless you have a trust fund Or get a career and save up for 15-30 years first Its even harder to actually get accepted to such a school.