Graduate degrees still worth starting now | Careers that stay short-staffed through the mid-2030s

Careers still in demand if you start graduate school now

Graduate school is worth it mainly where a master’s or professional degree is the actual entry ticket and employers cannot hire enough people. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections through the mid-2030s point to a clear cluster: clinical healthcare, applied data and AI, cybersecurity, and a few regulated technical fields. Aging populations and technology adoption drive most of that demand. Pure academic tracks in oversupplied fields do not.

Strongest bets that usually need graduate credentials

Advanced practice clinical roles. Nurse practitioners are the single fastest-growing occupation in recent BLS tables, at about 40–41% through the mid-2030s, with tens of thousands of openings a year and median pay around $129,000–$132,000. Entry is typically a master’s (increasingly a doctorate). Physician assistants are projected around 20–21% growth, also master’s-level, with median pay near $136,000. Both sit in team-based care models that expand as the population ages.

Mental and behavioral health. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected to have more annual openings than any other graduate-level occupation in one BLS education-level breakdown (on the order of 48,000 a year), with growth around 18%. Most paths require a master’s plus licensure. Demand is structural—access gaps, insurance coverage, youth and adult mental health—not a short cycle.

Physicians and selected doctoral clinical roles. Physicians and surgeons as a group are projected to have roughly 24,000 openings a year. Pay is among the highest published (many specialties well above $200,000; top published medians exceed $400,000). Physical therapy has largely shifted to a doctoral entry degree (DPT) and remains tied to aging and chronic disease. These paths are long and expensive; the shortage is real, but so are the debt and training time.

Health systems and epidemiology. Medical and health services managers are growing about 23–24%, often with a master’s preferred, and median pay around $118,000–$124,000. Epidemiologists are around 19% growth and typically need a master’s.

Tech fields where a graduate degree still helps

Data science and research computing. Data scientists are among the fastest-growing occupations (about 34–35%), with median pay roughly $112,000–$120,000. A bachelor’s is the usual listed entry, but a master’s is common for stronger roles and career mobility. Computer and information research scientists—closer to applied AI and machine-learning research—typically require a master’s, grow around 22%, and show median pay near $140,000.

Cybersecurity. Information security analysts are projected around 21–29% growth, with median pay about $125,000–$129,000. A bachelor’s often suffices for entry; a master’s or specialized graduate work helps for architecture, research, and leadership roles as AI expands the attack surface.

World Economic Forum employer surveys point the same direction through 2030: fastest-rising skill demand in AI, big data, and cybersecurity, alongside care roles driven by demographics. Jobs that specifically require AI skills have been growing much faster than the overall market, with a sizable wage premium.

What is weaker for a new graduate degree

Generic software roles face more entry-level pressure as coding tools absorb routine work. Growth is still positive in specialized areas, but a plain computer-science master’s is no longer an automatic premium. Solar and wind technician jobs are among the fastest-growing by percentage, but they do not require graduate school. Many humanities, pure social-science, and undifferentiated “studies” PhDs remain oversupplied relative to academic jobs.

Healthcare and hands-on clinical work also have lower automation exposure than routine analysis and coding, which is why those degrees score well in recent employment-security rankings.

Practical filter before you apply

• Prefer programs where the degree is required for licensure or is the normal hiring screen (NP, PA, counseling, PT, medicine, research-scientist tracks).
• Treat cost and opportunity cost as part of the decision: a funded STEM master’s or a clinical program with clear placement beats an unfunded general degree.
• Pair technical depth with a domain (healthcare AI, security, biotech, energy systems). Employers are short of people who can do both.
• Check the current BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for the exact title you are considering. Projections are updated regularly, and openings matter more than percentage growth alone.

The durable pattern for the next several years is clinical care that cannot be fully automated, plus applied quantitative and security skills that organizations still cannot hire fast enough.

I used Grok for this information. I am looking forward to when my kids graduate. - Benjamin Townsend 

Further reading

• BLS: Fastest growing occupations
• BLS Career Outlook: Education level and projected openings, 2024–34
• BLS employment projections news release (PDF)
• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
• World Economic Forum: Future of Jobs Report 2025
• WEF press release: 78 million new job opportunities by 2030

1. #LicensureTrackDegrees
2. #HealthcareAIJobs
3. #ResearchComputing
4. #AgingPopulationJobs
5. #AppliedAISkills
6. #DegreeROI
7. #OpeningsOverGrowth
8. #FutureOfWorkHealth
9. #STEMMastersWorthIt
10. #CareersThatStayShortStaffed

Colorado Springs Real Estate Fall 2026: Market Update + New Construction vs Existing Homes

Colorado Springs Real Estate in Fall 2026: Market Snapshot + New Construction vs. Existing Homes — Which Should You Buy?

The Colorado Springs housing market has settled into a more balanced, buyer-leaning environment as of September–early October 2026. Inventory is higher, prices have softened, homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers have more negotiating power than they did in the ultra-competitive years of the early 2020s. At the same time, one of the most important decisions facing local buyers remains unchanged: Should you purchase a brand-new construction home or an existing (resale) home?

This in-depth guide combines the latest independent market data for Colorado Springs with insights from multiple Colorado-focused analyses comparing new builds and existing homes. The goal is to help you understand both the broader market conditions and the practical trade-offs that matter most in the Pikes Peak region.

1. Colorado Springs Housing Market Snapshot – September 2026

According to data reported by Realtor.com, Redfin, The Gazette, Zillow, Movoto, and related sources in early October 2026:

• Inventory rose significantly. Active listings increased roughly 8.7% year-over-year in September to around 4,266 homes, outpacing the national increase. Buyers now have meaningfully more choices than in recent years.
• Prices softened. The median list price fell about 2.8% year-over-year to approximately $484,950–$485,000. Recent three-month median sale prices (Redfin) hovered near $460,000 (down ~3.2% YoY). August closed median sale prices for single-family and patio homes were reported at $470,000.
• Days on market lengthened. Homes took a median of 67 days to sell in September (up 3.9% year-over-year), slower than the national median.
• Sales volume declined. August closed sales of single-family and patio homes totaled 996 — down about 4% from the prior year and roughly 12% from July.
• The market is widely described as more balanced to buyer-friendly. Well-priced, well-presented homes still move relatively quickly, while overpriced listings sit longer and often require price reductions or seller concessions.
• Higher mortgage rates (recently near or above 7%) continue to pressure affordability. Local analyses in late September noted that a median-priced home requires a substantial household income to stay within traditional affordability guidelines.
• Multifamily occupancy improved to near a four-year high in earlier 2026 data, with modest rent recovery, while single-family new-home construction permits slowed in September.

Overall, the intense seller’s market of prior years has given way to conditions that favor prepared buyers who can negotiate, inspect carefully, and move with intention.

2. New Construction vs. Existing Homes in Colorado: The Core Trade-Offs

Multiple Colorado-focused analyses (covering Colorado Springs, Denver metro, Northern Colorado, and the Front Range) consistently highlight the same key differences.

Advantages of New Construction

• Brand-new systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and modern energy-efficient construction that meets current codes → lower near-term maintenance and utility costs.
• Builder warranties (typically 1 year workmanship, 2 years mechanical systems, 10 years structural).
• Modern open floor plans, smart-home features, and the ability to select finishes (especially if buying early in the process).
• Builder incentives are common in the current market — rate buydowns, closing-cost assistance, or upgrade credits that can improve the monthly payment.
• More predictable first few years of ownership.

Disadvantages of New Construction

• Higher upfront or all-in costs once you factor in lot premiums, upgrades, landscaping, fencing, window coverings, and unfinished basements (often $20,000–$50,000+ in additional spend).
• Metro district taxes — a major Colorado-specific factor. Many new communities fund infrastructure through special districts, adding $1,000–$3,500+ per year in property taxes for decades.
• Neighborhoods are often still developing: limited mature trees, ongoing construction, and amenities that may not yet be complete.
• Less flexibility on price negotiation; builders rarely discount the base price aggressively.
• Longer timelines if the home is not already built (spec homes can close faster).

Advantages of Existing (Resale) Homes

• Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping, larger lots in many cases, and immediate community character.
• Often lower property taxes (no or lower metro district mill levies).
• Greater negotiation flexibility — sellers are more likely to offer concessions, price reductions, or repairs in the current market.
• Faster move-in (typically 30–60 days).
• Wider variety of architectural styles and locations closer to established amenities, schools, and employment centers.
• Potential to buy below replacement cost in some price ranges.

Disadvantages of Existing Homes

• Higher risk of near-term repairs or updates (roof, HVAC, plumbing, etc.).
• Older floor plans, less energy efficiency, and systems that may need replacement within a few years.
• Limited or no warranty coverage.
• Condition and maintenance history vary widely — thorough inspections are critical.

3. How Current Market Conditions Affect the Decision in Colorado Springs

The September 2026 market dynamics tilt the scales in interesting ways:

• Higher inventory and longer days on market strengthen the hand of buyers looking at existing homes. Sellers of resale properties are more motivated to negotiate on price, concessions, or repairs.
• Builder incentives remain a powerful counterweight for new construction. In a slower sales environment, many builders offer rate buydowns or closing credits that can make the monthly payment competitive even if the list price is higher.
• Metro district taxes remain one of the most important (and often overlooked) factors in Colorado Springs and the broader Front Range. A new home with a high mill levy can erase much of the short-term maintenance savings.
• Affordability pressure from higher interest rates makes total monthly cost (principal + interest + taxes + insurance + HOA + expected maintenance) more important than list price alone.
• Location still matters enormously. Many desirable established areas in Colorado Springs (Old North End, Broadmoor, Rockrimmon, parts of central and west side) have little to no new construction, so buyers who prioritize those neighborhoods are effectively choosing resale by default.

4. Who Should Choose New Construction vs. Existing Homes in Colorado Springs Right Now?

New construction is often the better fit if you:

• Want predictable maintenance and modern efficiency for the first 5–10 years.
• Value customization and open floor plans.
• Can absorb or budget for landscaping, fencing, and potential metro district taxes.
• Are willing to wait (or can find a completed spec home).
• Plan to own the home long enough for the warranty and energy savings to matter.
• Prefer a simpler transaction with one seller (the builder).

Existing homes are often the better fit if you:

• Prioritize location, mature neighborhoods, and larger lots.
• Need to move quickly.
• Want lower property taxes and greater negotiation power in the current market.
• Are comfortable budgeting for potential repairs and updates.
• Prefer character, established trees, and a settled community feel.
• Plan to sell within a shorter time horizon (resale homes in built-out areas often face less competition from new phases of construction).

Final Thoughts

There is no universal “better” choice. In the current Colorado Springs market of fall 2026 — with rising inventory, softening prices, and longer selling times — existing homes generally offer more negotiating leverage, while new construction continues to compete effectively through incentives, warranties, and modern efficiency. The deciding factors almost always come down to your timeline, preferred location, tolerance for maintenance risk, and careful calculation of total monthly and long-term costs (especially property taxes).

Run the numbers on both options side-by-side, including estimated taxes, insurance, utilities, and near-term capital expenses. Work with a local professional who understands both new-construction communities and established neighborhoods, and always obtain a thorough inspection (and soils report where relevant) on any existing home.

The market has given buyers more breathing room than they’ve had in years. Use that advantage wisely.

Further Reading – Market Data Sources

• Realtor.com: Colorado Springs Inventory Surges as Prices Soften for Buyers (September 2026)
• The Gazette: Colorado Springs housing market shifts toward buyers (October 4, 2026)
• FRED / St. Louis Fed: Median Listing Price Year-Over-Year – Colorado Springs
• Redfin: Colorado Springs Housing Market Trends
• Zillow: Colorado Springs, CO Housing Market
• The Gazette: Getting a handle on the region’s housing affordability problem

Further Reading – New Construction vs. Existing Homes Comparisons

• Is it better to buy a new build or an existing home in Colorado?
• New Construction vs. Existing Homes in Northern Colorado
• New Construction vs. Pre-Existing Homes in Colorado Springs
• Existing Homes vs. New Construction in Colorado Springs
• New Construction vs. Resale in Colorado Springs: How to Actually Decide
• New Build vs. Resale: Pros and Cons for Buyers
• New Construction vs Existing Homes in Western Colorado
• Denver House Hunting: New Construction vs. Resale

Market conditions change. Always verify. Call me and let's go see some houses today. 

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#ColoradoSpringsHomeBuying
#MetroDistrictTaxes
#Fall2026RealEstate
#ColoradoSpringsBuyersGuide
#NewConstructionVsResale
#COSHousingMarket