Mathematics at Athens State University

With first-year earnings of $57,584 placing this program in the 80th percentile both nationally and statewide, Athens State's mathematics degree shows strong initial outcomes—well above the national median of $48,772 and significantly outperforming even larger programs like UAB and University of Alabama. Based on similar programs at Athens State, graduates likely carry around $20,000 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that suggests the degree pays for itself relatively quickly.

The puzzling element here is the earnings drop to $49,573 by year four—a 14% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. This could reflect a small sample artifact (the school doesn't report detailed outcomes publicly, forcing us to rely on limited federal data), or it might indicate that some graduates use this degree as a stepping stone to graduate school or teaching positions with different compensation structures. Even with this dip, the year-four earnings still exceed both state and national benchmarks.

For a family evaluating this program, the strong starting salary and modest estimated debt create a favorable financial foundation, particularly for a school serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students. The earnings trajectory deserves scrutiny in conversations with the department, but the initial numbers suggest graduates enter the workforce competitively positioned—just be prepared that typical advancement patterns may not apply here.