Analysis
A mathematics bachelor's degree typically opens doors to diverse career paths, but making this investment at Baker University requires accepting considerable uncertainty. Both the estimated $48,772 first-year salary and $21,750 debt figure come from national benchmarks rather than Baker's actual graduate outcomes—the school's math cohorts are simply too small to generate reportable data. What we can say is that the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 looks manageable on paper, falling well below the concerning 1.0 threshold.
The challenge is context. Kansas math programs span a wide range, from KU's nearly $49,000 earners to K-State's $43,000, and Baker's 950 average SAT score suggests its graduates may not compete for the highest-paying quantitative roles right out of college. Whether Baker's math program delivers outcomes closer to the national median or trails behind remains unknown. For a family paying list price at a private Kansas institution, that's a meaningful blind spot.
If your child is set on Baker for non-academic reasons—campus culture, athletics, or location—these estimates suggest the math degree won't create crushing debt. But you're essentially betting on a program with no track record you can verify, at a school where the typical student arrives academically underprepared for rigorous quantitative work. Ask Baker directly about graduate placement: where do their math majors actually land jobs, and at what salaries?
Where Baker University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,900 | $48,772* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| $11,700 | $48,726* | — | $27,000* | 0.55 | |
| $10,942 | $43,067* | — | $21,250* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Baker University, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 253 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.