Applied Mathematics at Augustana College

Illinois employers pay applied math graduates exceptionally well—Northwestern reports nearly $95,000 in first-year earnings—but Augustana's program likely lands closer to the $61,000 national median based on comparable bachelor's programs elsewhere. That's still solid money for a recent graduate, but it's a meaningful gap that reflects the competitive reality of the state's math job market, where top-tier programs capture premium opportunities.

The estimated $25,000 in debt produces a manageable 0.42 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning your child could theoretically pay off their loans in about five months of gross income. That's financially viable by any reasonable standard. However, these figures are drawn from peer institutions nationally since Augustana's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report publicly. The actual outcomes could run higher or lower depending on factors specific to Augustana's curriculum, alumni network, and where graduates ultimately work.

The practical question is whether Augustana provides the preparation and connections to reach Illinois's higher earnings tier. If your child can leverage the program toward Chicago's finance, tech, or consulting sectors—where applied math skills command premium pay—this becomes a strong investment. If career placement trends more regional or toward lower-paying sectors, the math still works but with less upside than the state's top performers suggest is possible.