Training vs Degree Calculator
Compare vocational training and a degree by cost, duration and lost earnings, and see from which year each path pays off.
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Legal notice
Current as of: 11.08.2026.
The results reflect the legal and fiscal state as of the date stated above. They are provided for general information and initial guidance only. They are not individual financial, tax or legal advice, and no guarantee is given as to their accuracy, completeness or suitability for your circumstances. In particular, the results are not a substitute for an official or judicial assessment. Please check the information independently and seek qualified advice where appropriate, as you are solely responsible for any decision made in reliance on the result.
Training vs Degree Calculator: compare education costs and earnings
The Training vs Degree Calculator compares net earnings minus direct costs for vocational continuing education and a degree. Use it to compare study alongside work with full-time study, for example. You enter the salary estimates; the calculator does not predict your future pay.
How it works
Both paths begin in the same month. Enter duration in months, direct costs and monthly net income during education and after completion. The horizon starts now, not after graduation. For full-time study without earnings, enter zero as income during education. Use euros throughout.
The formula is: education months × income during education + months after completion × later income − direct costs. If education exceeds the horizon, only income during education counts. The model charges direct costs upfront. Do not add foregone salary: lower income during education already reflects it.
Example over ten years, or 120 months: vocational training lasts 24 months, costs EUR 6,000 and provides EUR 2,400 net per month during training, then EUR 3,400. Its balance is 24 × 2,400 + 96 × 3,400 − 6,000 = EUR 378,000. The degree lasts 54 months, costs EUR 12,000 and provides no income during study, then EUR 3,900 monthly. Its balance is 66 × 3,900 − 12,000 = EUR 245,400. The difference is EUR 132,600. The degree does not overtake vocational training within these ten years.
What it can and cannot do
The summary table separates earnings during education, earnings afterwards and direct costs. The overtaking month is the first month-end when the initially trailing path accumulates more net earnings minus costs. If starting costs match, the first monthly difference establishes the initial ordering. Merely reaching an equal balance does not count as overtaking.
The balance is not available savings. Living expenses, inflation, interest, salary increases and employment gaps are absent. Funding and tax refunds also need separate consideration. The calculator cannot judge qualifications. Check course content, workload and career access alongside the numbers.
Why local processing in the browser
The calculator processes your income assumptions on your device without sending them to a calculation server. After the page loads completely, calculations work offline while it remains open. The tool does not store comparisons permanently; record useful results before closing the page.
Creative uses
- Compare an IHK qualification with a degree alongside employment.
- Test how fewer paid hours during part-time study change the balance.
- Extend the horizon to check for a later income advantage.
- Try cautious salary estimates before discussing education with your employer.
A small contribution to climate protection
A general comparison figure is 1.76 g CO2 per page view, not a measurement here. According to the IEA, data centres consumed 415 TWh in 2024. Local calculations avoid extra server requests, but these figures cannot establish your specific carbon savings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the opportunity costs of a degree?
They are earnings you forgo compared with another option, such as continuing to work. Here they appear as income differences between paths. Do not add them again to direct education costs.
Does a bachelor degree always pay off, including part-time study?
No. Duration, costs and salaries determine the outcome. For part-time study alongside work, enter your expected employment income during study, not zero.
Does the calculator include BAföG or employer funding?
No. Funding, repayments and employer retention agreements need separate consideration. Enter your own remaining fees after employer contributions, but review the funding terms separately.
Can I deduct continuing education costs from tax?
In Germany, work-related continuing education costs may qualify as Werbungskosten, or employment expenses. Your education history and professional connection matter. The calculator does not estimate tax savings; check your circumstances separately.
Do I need to be online?
Only for the initial page load. Calculations then work in the open page without a connection. Reopening offline is not guaranteed.
Are my data uploaded?
No. The calculation sends neither salaries nor fees to a server. Your values remain in the open browser page.