Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at University of the District of Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia's legal studies program shows promising earnings growth but carries debt levels that deserve careful scrutiny. Graduates start at $43,778—well above the national median for this degree—and climb to $62,154 by year four, a 42% jump that suggests strong career progression. However, that first-year salary trails American University graduates by about $2,000, which matters when you're carrying significantly more debt.

Here's the challenge: at $40,750, the median debt sits in the 90th percentile nationally—meaning only 10% of comparable programs saddle students with more. That's roughly $15,000 above the national median for legal studies programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.93 isn't catastrophic, but it means nearly a full year's salary goes toward paying off loans. Given that 43% of students receive Pell grants, many families here are starting with limited financial cushion.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, so individual outcomes could vary widely. If your child is considering this path, the four-year earnings trajectory looks solid—but make sure they understand they'll be managing substantial debt while their career builds momentum. The program works financially, but requires discipline and realistic expectations about that first year or two after graduation.