Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 79.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 81.3%
- Retention Rate
- 83.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $73,250
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 76.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,690 | $61,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | $89,092 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $73,769 | |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $26,976 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $24,625 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $64,162 | $147,964 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other. | Doctoral | $63,997 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,377 | $27,000 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other. | Doctoral | $60,771 | |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $58,221 | |
| Architecture. | Doctoral | $56,641 | |
| Library Science and Administration. | Doctoral | $55,813 | $41,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates earn a median salary of $73,250 ten years after graduation, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 with typical debt loads of $26,000. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume just 4.5% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong connections to Washington politics and media help explain why notable alumni include senators, journalists, and former House speakers. Catholic University's emphasis on social work, theology, and public service often leads graduates into government, nonprofit organizations, and religious institutions. With 93.3% of graduates employed and relatively manageable debt burdens, this represents a strong return on investment for students committed to service-oriented careers.