International Business at The Catholic University of America

Based on comparable International Business programs in DC, Catholic University appears positioned in the stronger tier of what's available locally. The estimated $70,856 first-year earnings—drawn from a small pool of DC programs—sits $21,000 above the national median for this degree, reflecting the capital's robust international business sector and the premium DC employers typically pay. Georgetown's graduates command even more at $81,800, but Catholic's estimated figures suggest similar market access without the Ivy-adjacent price tag.

The debt picture looks manageable at an estimated $23,250, translating to a 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well within sustainable territory. That level of borrowing against $70,000-plus earnings gives graduates breathing room—monthly payments would consume roughly 6-7% of gross income on standard repayment terms. The fact that only 17% of Catholic students receive Pell grants suggests a largely affluent student body that may rely less on loans than these estimates indicate.

The caveat here is real: these figures come from just three DC programs, so they reflect market patterns more than Catholic's specific outcomes. If your child is considering this program, the DC location matters enormously—International Business degrees succeed or struggle based on proximity to multinational employers, embassies, and trade organizations. Catholic's Capitol Hill neighborhood provides that access, but verify the program's actual placement track record before committing.