Applied Mathematics at American Public University System

For an online university, American Public University System's applied mathematics program shows surprisingly solid fundamentals despite coming from a non-traditional format. The $30,599 debt load ranks in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of applied math programs leave students with more debt—while the starting salary of $54,697 sits $6,000 below the national median but matches West Virginia's state average for this degree. The 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can expect to earn nearly double their debt in their first year, a manageable position that beats many brick-and-mortar alternatives.

The real limitation here is context: with only two schools in West Virginia offering this program and fewer than 30 graduates in the data, it's hard to gauge whether these outcomes reflect consistent program quality or just a lucky cohort. Online programs can work well for motivated students who need flexibility, but applied mathematics typically benefits from face-to-face collaboration and lab work that's harder to replicate remotely.

If your child thrives in independent study and values the low debt burden, this could work—especially if they're planning graduate school where the undergraduate institution matters less. Just recognize they're trading some earning potential (at least initially) for significant debt savings and scheduling flexibility. The numbers work, but barely; this isn't a standout program so much as a financially prudent one.