Mathematics at Amherst College

An Amherst math degree launches graduates into dramatically higher earnings than most programs, with first-year median pay of $78,500—61% above the national median for math majors and 27% above Massachusetts' already strong state average. By year four, earnings jump to $109,199, positioning Amherst alongside MIT and just behind Tufts among Bay State institutions. The debt picture strengthens this value proposition: at $14,745, graduates carry 32% less debt than typical Massachusetts math majors and about one-third the national median. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.19, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of earnings.

What makes this particularly compelling is the combination of elite outcomes with reasonable debt loads. While Amherst's 10% admission rate signals selectivity that filters for high-achieving students, the program delivers on that promise with consistent earnings growth and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally on both earnings and low debt. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) is solid enough for confidence in these numbers.

For families who can navigate Amherst's competitive admissions, this represents mathematics education at its strongest ROI: exceptional earning power, minimal debt burden, and four-year trajectory that suggests graduates are landing roles at top firms rather than struggling to find their footing.