gradblues

@parkjun888 So far none of the schools I have applied to would even reach triple digits in debt, but this is also assuming I make at least 11k in part-time work a year and I use my savings of about 8k. I don't know how anyone could take on 100k of debt and not even consider trying to work while in the program, to minimize debt. 
 A couple of the schools are very close to the 100k mark, but these universities have offered enough grant and fellowship money to cover over half of the total cost. If I chose to go to a school in-state in California, tuition for the program is only 21k a year.  So far, I would be looking at about 40-50k of debt, but I am still seeking other ways to reduce that.  For one school, I called the admissions team, and I was able to increase my merit aid offer to more than double. 
Every program is different, and I think that your comment is an overstatement. I thought too when applying for my master's that there is no way that I would ever be able to afford it, but this application season proved me wrong. I was under the impression I would have to take out a minimum of 60k, and now I am sitting here with offers from decent universities with funding and even one program that is fully funded. There is still hope.  
 
But on the topic of realistic debt. Does anyone expect to take out more than 50k?

For those of us going back to school after some time in the workforce, I would keep in mind that if you convert your 401(k) to an IRA, you can use the funds to pay for tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses (including rent, if you are a full time student), without paying a penalty.  You will still have to pay income tax on the distributions, but since taxable income will likely be low while you are in school, that should be relatively minimal.
This is obviously not what I was hoping to use my retirement savings for as I have put it away over the past few years, but to me, this is preferable to going into massive debt to pay for school.  Will have time to build it back up over the years...