Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at The Catholic University of America

A bachelor's in Liberal Arts at Catholic University carries an estimated $27,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $36,340—figures drawn from comparable programs nationally. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, but the context matters: DC's other Liberal Arts programs typically produce median earnings of $58,500, with Georgetown graduates starting above $66,000 and even Trinity Washington at $50,000. The gap suggests this program either serves different career pathways or graduates face steeper initial challenges in DC's competitive job market.

The debt load itself aligns with national norms for private universities offering this degree, so Catholic isn't an outlier on borrowing. But when peer institutions in the same city show substantially higher early earnings, parents should probe what explains the difference. Is it the specific curriculum focus? Career services support? Alumni networks? The 84% admission rate indicates accessibility, though the low Pell percentage (17%) means fewer lower-income students choose this path—possibly a signal about perceived value.

For families considering this investment, the key question is whether Catholic's particular Liberal Arts program offers something beyond what the estimated numbers suggest—strong graduate school placement, specialized DC connections, or career outcomes that improve significantly after year one. Without school-specific data, you're essentially betting on intangibles. If your child isn't certain about leveraging those advantages, comparable programs at other DC institutions appear to deliver stronger initial financial returns.