agreed...

I only managed to incur about $30k in debt (by getting fellowships and going to a cheaper school), but 10 years later I'm still paying $175/mo and will be for another 10 years. I can't imagine having to fork over almost 3x that.

I seriously think grad school is largely a waste unless you are planning to teach. But that is a whole nother thread which has been discussed in great length on here many many times. Do a search if you are curious to consider other options.