Linguistic, Comparative, at Georgetown University

Georgetown's linguistics program shows a striking trajectory that makes the modest first-year salary almost irrelevant. While graduates earn just $28,278 initially—barely above the national median for this major—that figure more than doubles to $61,644 by year four. This 118% growth rate suggests graduates are successfully pivoting into stronger career paths, likely leveraging Georgetown's D.C. location and network for roles in government, international organizations, or tech. The $17,500 debt load is notably lower than the national median of $20,718, creating a manageable burden even during those lean early years.

The caveat here is meaningful: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers could swing significantly with just a few outliers. That said, the pattern aligns with what you'd expect from a highly selective school (13% admission rate) in a city full of employers who value linguistic skills. The first year may require family financial support or living frugally, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 is reasonable for a major that typically doesn't command high starting salaries.

For families who can weather that first year financially, this program appears to deliver Georgetown's brand value where it counts—in career trajectory rather than immediate payoff. Just understand you're betting on outcomes from a very small sample.