Mathematics at Aquinas College

A projected debt load of $21,750 for a bachelor's in mathematics sits right at the national median, though Michigan programs typically carry slightly higher debt around $25,000. Combined with first-year earnings estimates near $48,000—based on Michigan State and other comparable state programs—this produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45, which falls within a manageable range for STEM graduates who often see steady salary growth.

The challenge is that these figures are drawn from peer institutions rather than Aquinas's own graduate outcomes, making it harder to assess what this specific program delivers. Michigan's math landscape varies dramatically: U-M Ann Arbor graduates earn $80,000 in their first year, while Grand Valley graduates start around $45,000. Where Aquinas falls in that spectrum depends on factors like employer networks in Grand Rapids, whether graduates pursue teaching versus private sector work, and how well the curriculum prepares students for quantitative roles.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial fundamentals—a debt load that wouldn't overwhelm typical math graduate earnings. But without actual placement data from Aquinas itself, you're making an informed guess rather than evaluating a track record. Ask the department directly about recent graduate outcomes, typical employers, and whether their students pursue teaching certifications or analyst positions, as those paths produce very different earnings trajectories.