Economics at University of the District of Columbia

In Washington DC's competitive economics landscape, comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $67,684—roughly on par with what George Washington University reports and well above the national median of $51,722. The estimated $21,650 in debt produces a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates from similar programs typically earn enough to cover their debt burden about three times over in their first year.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, UDC serves a population that needs clear financial outcomes, yet the actual graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish reliable data. The estimates draw from just three DC programs and nearly 200 schools nationally—a wide net that may or may not reflect what UDC's specific program delivers. DC's job market is unusually strong for economics graduates, driven by government agencies, think tanks, and policy organizations, but there's no guarantee this program connects students to those opportunities as effectively as Georgetown or GW do.

For families weighing this investment: the estimated numbers look reasonable if they hold true, but you're working with projections rather than proven outcomes. Before committing, press the school directly for placement rates, employer relationships, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs—concrete details that estimates can't provide.