It is estimated that over 100,000 students will apply to the top 30 m. b.a. programs in the united states this year. a. using the concept of net present value and opportunity cost, when is it rational for an individual to pursue an m. b.a. degree. when the net present value of attending graduate school is at least $100,000. when the benefits of attending school are greater than zero. when the costs of attending school are near zero. when the net present value of attending graduate school is greater than zero. b. what would you expect to happen to the number of applicants if the starting salaries of managers with m. b.a. degrees remained constant but salaries of managers without such degrees decreased by 20 percent? it would decrease. there is no way of telling. it would increase. it would not change.