Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at Georgetown University

Georgetown's Peace Studies program launches graduates into strong early earnings—nearly $50,000 puts them $9,000 ahead of the national median and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. The relatively modest debt load of $12,498 is less than half the national average for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25. That's an unusually comfortable financial position for a humanities-oriented program. The caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers reflect a very small group and may not hold for every cohort.

The program's value appears built on Georgetown's location and network advantages rather than purely academic uniqueness—the 60th percentile ranking among DC programs (though only two DC schools offer this major) suggests the real competitive edge comes from being at a highly selective institution in the nation's capital. Students interested in conflict resolution careers often target international organizations, NGOs, and government agencies, most of which cluster in Washington. Georgetown's 13% admission rate and strong institutional reputation likely open doors that the degree title alone wouldn't.

For families who can afford Georgetown's price tag and whose student gains admission, this program combines manageable debt with respectable starting earnings. The financial picture looks solid, but recognize you're partly paying for access to Georgetown's ecosystem—the DC location, the alumni network, the internship pipeline—not just the coursework itself.