My son got into Harvard MBA, is it worth the debt?

Yes, it can be worth the debt, but only if the post-MBA role you’re targeting reliably pays it down without forcing tradeoffs your family will regret. If your son is aiming for outcomes with predictable compensation ramps (many finance and consulting paths, some big tech roles) and he’s comfortable with the hours and lifestyle those paths demand, the debt is often manageable. If he’s drawn to lower-paying sectors, wants geographic flexibility, or is already debt-averse, it may not pencil out unless you reduce borrowing. A quick way to sort this: estimate total debt at graduation, then ask what the first-year all-in compensation would need to be so the monthly payment is a small, sustainable slice of take-home pay; if that number feels unrealistic for his target industry, you have a financing problem, not a school problem. Then pressure-test plan B: if recruiting doesn’t land the “default” high-pay outcome, does he still have a credible path that works financially?

Most families evaluate this like a brand decision, when it’s really a portfolio decision across career fit, risk, and optionality. Harvard’s value is highest when it amplifies something he already has: a clear post-MBA thesis, a track record that will recruit well, and a plan to use the network for specific doors, not vague prestige. Have him write a one-page “use plan” listing the three roles he’d accept, the two industries he’s truly willing to do, the cities he’d live in, and the alumni or platforms he’d leverage immediately. If he can’t get specific, the debt is carrying the weight of uncertainty. If he can, then borrowing becomes a tool with a purpose, and you can size the loan to the plan instead of hoping the name makes the math work.