Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests manageable borrowing—similar programs in Texas produce graduates who can expect to work through their student loans within about five months of gross pay. At an estimated $49,708 in first-year earnings, this tracks exactly with the Texas state median for math bachelor's programs, while the estimated $21,750 debt sits slightly above the state median of $19,745 but closely matches the national benchmark. For a private Christian university with a 64% admission rate, these estimates place ACU's mathematics program squarely in the middle of the pack.
What's missing is crucial context about outcomes at this specific campus. The suppressed data means we can't know whether ACU's smaller math cohorts actually outperform or underperform peer programs—whether graduates land the kind of roles at UT Austin ($60,011) or fall short of even the state average. Texas public universities dominate the top earners list, with SMU's $74,516 representing the premium private institutions can command when their math programs lead to high-paying opportunities in finance, tech, or data science.
For families weighing a private school tuition against public alternatives, the estimation here creates real uncertainty. If ACU's graduates cluster toward the lower end of Texas math outcomes, that debt load becomes harder to justify. If they beat expectations through strong alumni networks or career placement, the investment could prove sound. Without actual placement data or clearer career pathways from ACU's math department, you're making this decision with incomplete information about what distinguishes this program from less expensive state schools nearby.
Where Abilene Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (70 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,380 | $49,708* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| $64,460 | $74,516* | $79,735 | $21,000* | 0.28 | |
| $11,678 | $60,011* | $75,618 | $20,500* | 0.34 | |
| $14,564 | $58,238* | — | $19,745* | 0.34 | |
| $9,711 | $54,710* | $57,873 | $20,100* | 0.37 | |
| $11,164 | $53,133* | $54,367 | $23,689* | 0.45 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Abilene Christian University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 21 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.