Applied Mathematics at Assumption University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 looks manageable on paper, but the gap between national and state realities deserves scrutiny. Similar applied math bachelor's programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $61,000—a reasonable return that would make the estimated $25,000 in debt workable. However, Massachusetts tells a different story. The state median for applied math programs sits at $98,000, nearly $37,000 higher than what comparable programs nationally produce. Even accounting for Boston's higher cost of living, that's a substantial premium that suggests stronger programs in the state are connecting graduates to better opportunities.

The challenge is uncertainty. With no program-specific data available due to small graduate numbers, you're evaluating this investment largely on faith that Assumption's outcomes mirror national peers rather than falling short of what's clearly achievable in Massachusetts. Programs like Wentworth ($82,000) demonstrate that strong early earnings are attainable at non-elite Massachusetts schools. Whether Assumption's applied math graduates achieve similar results or closer to the national baseline of $61,000 makes a $20,000+ difference in your child's financial trajectory—and right now, there's no data to answer that question. If your child has offers from Massachusetts programs with actual earnings data, those provide firmer ground for comparison.