Economics at Georgetown University

Georgetown economics graduates earn $84,460 in their first year—about 63% more than the typical economics graduate nationally and 25% above the median for DC schools. That $16,500 in median debt translates to just 20 cents owed for every dollar earned, making this one of the more financially sensible economics programs in the country. The gap widens further by year four, when Georgetown grads earn $92,475 compared to the national median of roughly $52,000.

Within DC, Georgetown ranks in the 60th percentile among economics programs, trailing the top earner (George Washington at $67,684 in this dataset) but still delivering strong outcomes. The relatively low debt load—about $6,400 below the DC median—gives Georgetown an edge in the overall value equation. For a program at a highly selective school (13% admission rate), the combination of immediate earning power and manageable debt is noteworthy.

The 10% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady, and the first-year salary alone justifies the investment. For families weighing Georgetown's sticker price against state school alternatives, these graduates are entering the workforce with both competitive earnings and breathing room on repayment. The program delivers particularly well for students targeting finance, consulting, or policy careers in DC's professional economy.