Marketing at The Catholic University of America

Catholic University's marketing program delivers strong national results but sits in the middle of DC's competitive market. First-year earnings of $52,392 beat 85% of marketing programs nationwide—a genuine accomplishment. However, within DC, where the median stands at $54,833, this ranks in just the 40th percentile. Georgetown's marketing grads earn $75,000, while GW matches the DC median at $54,833. For families paying DC-area tuition, this relative positioning matters.

The debt picture, though, is excellent. At $27,000, graduates carry just slightly more than national and DC medians, resulting in a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's better than 95% of programs nationally—meaning students leave with reasonable loans they can realistically repay. The 28% earnings growth to $67,030 by year four suggests solid career progression in marketing roles.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: you're getting above-average national outcomes at a school with an 84% admission rate, but you're paying premium DC tuition for middle-of-the-pack local results. If your child can access Georgetown or GW, those offer better earnings trajectories. But if Catholic University provides the right fit otherwise—and many families value its mission and community—the debt levels won't hamstring their future. This works as a solid backup option for marketing-focused students who want DC connections without crushing debt.