Mathematics at Adams State University

A bachelor's degree in mathematics from this rural Colorado institution comes with debt figures that align with state and national norms—around $21,760—but the earnings picture sits squarely in the middle of Colorado's range. Similar mathematics programs across the state suggest first-year earnings near $46,250, which falls slightly below the national median of $48,772 but remains workable given the debt load.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates would theoretically carry debt equal to less than half their first-year salary, a manageable starting point by most standards. However, location matters: Adams State sits in a small, isolated market, and graduates may need to relocate to access the higher-paying opportunities that math degrees typically unlock in urban areas like Denver or Fort Collins. Programs at Metro State and CU Denver show what's possible with proximity to stronger job markets—first-year earnings approaching $49,000 to $53,000.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is career trajectory. Mathematics degrees typically lead to diverse, well-compensated paths in data science, finance, actuarial work, or education, but these opportunities cluster in cities. If your student plans to stay rural or needs to build experience before moving, factor in those early years at lower salaries. If they're willing to be mobile, this program's estimated debt burden shouldn't prevent them from reaching competitive earning potential within a few years.