‘I took a ₹40 lakh loan at 20’: 22-year-old says her biggest ROI isn’t money, sparks debate online

A salary package, a job title, or the number of years it takes to clear a loan. These are usually the first things people talk about when discussing higher education abroad. But a viral Instagram video is now getting people to look at that conversation from a different angle.

A 22-year-old woman has caught the attention of social media users after opening up about taking a ₹40 lakh education loan for her master's degree and explaining why she does not measure its value only in financial terms. Her comments have resonated with some, raised questions for others, and triggered a wider discussion around the real meaning of return on investment when it comes to education.

The loan that started the debate

The discussion began with a video shared by Instagram page @ekta.explains.

In the clip, Ekta talks about her decision to pursue a master's degree at INSEAD and how she financed her studies through a ₹40 lakh loan when she was just 20 years old.

She says that whenever people hear about the loan, one question almost always follows.

“Everyone asks me about the ROI, and here’s what I tell them,” she says.

Sharing her perspective, she adds, “Money is important, but if you graduate from a good university, you will pay it back because of the opportunities you get.”

Why she believes the value goes beyond money

According to Ekta, the benefits she gained from her education cannot be summed up only through income or loan repayment calculations.

Instead, she points to the people she has met and the network she has built along the way.

“I now have friends in 33 different countries and access to an alumni network of over 20,000 people working in top companies across the world,” she says.

For her, those connections are among the most meaningful outcomes of the experience.

‘This is my return on investment’

The 22-year-old also spoke about the personal experiences she has gained during her academic journey.

Explaining why she views her education as worthwhile, she says, “I have had experiences at 22 that most people don’t have even at 40. And most importantly, I’ve made friends for life. This is my return on investment.”

She then summed up her argument with a line that has become the central talking point of the video.

“Your network is genuinely your net worth.”

Social media users share mixed views

As the clip spread online, users flooded the comments section with differing opinions.

Many supported her viewpoint and agreed that networking can play a major role in creating future opportunities.

One user wrote, “Couldn’t agree more; network = net worth.”

Others, however, questioned whether connections alone are enough to justify such a large loan.

“33 different countries people won’t pay the EMI, and how much do you make now?” another user commented.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a video shared on Instagram and reactions posted online. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the video. Thumb image: Instagram