Linguistic, Comparative, at University of Mary Washington

In Virginia, linguistics programs produce wildly different outcomes—from James Madison's $45,122 to VCU's $30,635—and with too few Mary Washington graduates in this field to generate reliable data, the school's performance remains unclear. Based on the state median of comparable programs, graduates here might expect around $40,000 in first-year earnings, which climbs to $48,000 by year four. That trajectory suggests steady if unspectacular growth, though it's impossible to know whether Mary Washington's specific program tracks closer to JMU's strong outcomes or VCU's more modest results.

The $20,500 debt load sits right at the national median for linguistics majors, meaning the burden itself isn't unusual. Combined with estimated first-year earnings, that 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper—roughly six months of gross income. The real question is whether Mary Washington's program delivers outcomes near the Virginia median it's being compared against, or falls short. With an 86% admission rate and relatively accessible profile, the school serves a broader student base than some competitors, which could affect post-graduation earnings patterns.

For parents, the uncertainty here is significant. The four-year earnings figure provides one actual data point suggesting decent mid-career positioning, but that first-year estimate relies entirely on peer programs. If your student is passionate about linguistics, look for internship support and career placement specifics that might indicate whether Mary Washington's outcomes lean toward the JMU end of Virginia's range or somewhere lower.