Analysis
Bethel's estimated numbers—$57,000 in first-year earnings against $23,000 in debt—place it squarely in the middle of Minnesota's mathematics programs, though these figures come from peer institutions rather than Bethel's own graduates. Based on comparable programs in the state, you're looking at a debt load that represents about five months of income, which is manageable if those earnings materialize.
The uncertainty here matters because small sample sizes mean we're working with educated guesses rather than track records. Similar math programs across Minnesota cluster tightly in the mid-$50,000s, suggesting reasonable consistency, but individual school outcomes can vary based on factors like alumni networks and regional employer relationships. Minnesota's math graduates do substantially better than the national median of $49,000, which provides some reassurance about the state's job market for this degree.
For parents considering this investment, the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 falls comfortably below the concerning threshold of 1.0, assuming your student lands close to those projected earnings. The risk is that without Bethel's actual outcomes data, you can't assess whether their specific program preparation, career services, or employer connections justify confidence in hitting that $57,000 mark. Request placement statistics and alumni outcomes directly from Bethel to supplement what state-level patterns suggest.
Where Bethel University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (27 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,930 | $57,166* | — | $23,000* | — | |
| $56,970 | $58,825* | $72,810 | $23,000* | 0.39 | |
| $16,488 | $58,153* | $72,102 | $22,095* | 0.38 | |
| $64,908 | $57,166* | — | $22,483* | 0.39 | |
| $14,318 | $55,482* | $65,774 | $23,975* | 0.43 | |
| $43,942 | $54,387* | — | $26,452* | 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 Bethel University, approximately 19% 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 median of 5 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.