Public Health at Georgetown University

Georgetown's Public Health program produces graduates earning $50,415 their first year—substantially more than the $37,548 national median and outpacing the state median of $44,809. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly with more data. What's striking is the debt load: at just $12,000, Georgetown undergraduates in this program carry less than half the national median of $26,000 and far less than the $23,452 DC average. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning graduates earn more than four times their total debt in their first year alone.

The numbers suggest Georgetown's institutional resources—generous financial aid that keeps even selective students from taking on crushing debt—make a real difference here. While this program ranks only in the 60th percentile within DC (where competition among five schools is stiff), it significantly outperforms most public health programs nationally. For anxious parents, the key question is whether the small sample makes these numbers reliable predictors for your student.

If your child gets in and receives similar financial aid, this represents an unusually safe bet for public health: strong early earnings with minimal debt creates financial flexibility immediately after graduation. Just verify that financial aid package before committing, since Georgetown's selectivity (13% admission rate) and limited Pell Grant participation suggest aid isn't always this generous.