Podcast Summary: $120,000 For A Ministry Degree?

Podcast: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Host: Dave Ramsey (with Rachel Cruze)
Date: November 12, 2025
Episode Length: Under 10 minutes

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze take a call from Emma, an 18-year-old high school senior, who has been accepted to her dream university—a private Christian college with steep tuition. Emma is facing a dilemma: how to tell her parents about her acceptance in light of the $120,000 cost (after scholarships) and their unwillingness or inability to financially support her education. The hosts guide Emma through tough questions about the financial feasibility of her aspirations, highlighting the practicality of pursuing dreams without being burdened by unmanageable debt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emma’s Background and Dilemma (00:06–01:40)

• Emma is the oldest of six children, with working-class parents and no savings for college.
• Her dream school is University of Northwestern St. Paul, a private Christian university with tuition of $38,000/year.
• Emma shares: “I got into my dream college. And I don't know how to tell my parents.” (00:06)

2. Financial Realities and Family Situation (01:41–03:39)

• Emma’s parents can’t help financially and don’t want her to take on student debt.
• She reveals she helps pay for household expenses and believes some of her contributions might be saved for her, but isn’t sure.
  • Dave and Rachel see the importance of clarifying how much (if any) has been saved.

Notable Quote:

• Rachel Cruze: “Asking an 18 year old to help provide for the family, that's tough for me... I would hope that they just took the money and put it in a savings account. But I would ask them tonight...” (03:40)

3. Examining the Actual College Cost and Savings (02:00–03:39)

• Emma received a partial scholarship ($44,000 over four years), leaving a $105,000 gap for tuition alone—not counting room and board.
• She has little to no direct savings in hand.

Notable Exchange:

• Dave Ramsey: “So you're down to, like, you'll owe 120 [thousand] or something. What's the number?”
  Emma: “It's $11,000 a year for all four years. So I'm down to, like, $105,000.” (02:07–02:20)

4. The Real Cost of a Dream and Long-Term Debt (03:40–05:37)

• Rachel makes the point that living within one's means is a “sign of maturity,” often missing even in adults.
• The hosts urge Emma to recognize that most employers don’t prioritize the college’s name—what matters is the degree/experience, not the “dream school.”
• Taking on massive debt for a private education isn’t justifiable for most career paths.

Notable Quote:

• Rachel Cruze: “People don't care, and they don't... the name of the school... It is not usually a sign that you're going to be successful and get a job that's going to then carry you for, throughout your adulthood. And going $120,000 or 105,000, I think it's a little bit, I think it's Gonna end up being a little bit more than that after room and board and book everything.” (04:37–05:37)

5. Career Prospects and the Value of the Degree (05:37–07:13)

• Emma plans to double major in Pastoral Ministry and Communications, hoping to be a summer camp director.
• The hosts explain these careers pay modestly—certainly not enough to handle $100k+ in debt.

Memorable Exchange:

• Rachel Cruze: “We just talked to a worship pastor who's making $53-$58,000 a year... It would take you, like, seven to eight years to pay this off. No, no, please, please, please, no.” (05:48–05:56)

• Dave Ramsey: “I don't think you need a communications degree or even a pastoral studies degree to be a summer camp director. You know what? You need experience at a summer camp.” (06:04–06:31)

• Dave warns: “You can never be a summer camp director because there is no summer camp director job that pays enough to cover the payments on the student loans that you end up taking out.” (06:31–06:54)

6. Alternatives and Parental Wisdom (07:13–08:17)

• Both hosts encourage Emma to listen to her parents’ advice and look for other affordable college options (community college, transferring later, etc.).

• Rachel brings a faith-based perspective, referencing biblical wisdom about debt.

  • “Every time debt is mentioned, it's in a negative fashion... You're a slave to the lender.”

• Practical tip: Before making any decisions, Emma should clarify how much has been saved in her name by her parents.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Ramsey (on dream schools and experience):
  “Would it be a great time going to the school? I think so. But is it worth 120 grand for the price to have this experience? I don't think it is at this point.” (07:13)

• Rachel Cruze (on biblical wisdom):
  “Every time debt is mentioned, it is negative. It's a curse. It's you are a slave to the lender. It is not wise. Go read proverbs.” (07:46)

Important Timestamps

• 00:06: Emma introduces her dilemma—accepted to dream school, worried about cost and parents’ reaction.
• 01:23–01:40: Discussion about why her parents oppose her dream school.
• 02:00–02:20: Emma discloses the partial scholarship and remaining cost.
• 03:40–04:37: Rachel on the “sign of maturity” and experience of adult callers.
• 05:37–06:31: Career prospects for ministry/communications majors and the practical path to becoming a summer camp director.
• 07:13–08:17: Final advice—don’t go into debt, seek parental insight, and biblical perspective on debt.

Tone & Closing Thoughts

Dave and Rachel maintain their trademark blend of compassion and tough love, urging Emma to be realistic and pragmatic. They emphasize wise decision-making, financial maturity, and long-term impact over the emotional pull of a “dream school.” Faith and practicality inform their perspective, making this episode both empathetic and challenging for listeners facing similar decisions.

Key Takeaway:
Don’t trade financial freedom for the prestige of a dream school—especially when other, more affordable paths can lead to the same destination. Listen to your parents, seek clarity about what’s saved, and enter adulthood with wisdom and open eyes.