Analysis
Based on comparable mathematics programs in Alabama, Birmingham-Southern's estimated first-year earnings of $45,494 track right at the state median, suggesting competitive placement outcomes. However, the estimated $21,750 in debt—higher than Alabama's typical $20,000—means graduates would be dedicating roughly half their first year's salary to loan repayment, a workable but not comfortable ratio.
The uncertainty here matters more than usual because actual outcomes at similar Alabama schools vary dramatically. Athens State mathematics graduates earn $57,584 in their first year, while Troy's earn just $31,339—a nearly $26,000 spread. Without Birmingham-Southern's specific placement data, you're essentially betting on where in this range their program falls. The school's 52% admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest reasonable academic rigor, but those metrics don't necessarily predict post-graduation earning power in mathematics specifically.
For a mathematics degree, the debt load here isn't alarming—the field generally supports loan repayment—but you'd want to understand what's driving Birmingham-Southern's outcomes before committing. Are their graduates entering teaching (lower initial earnings, stable long-term), corporate analytics (higher earnings), or graduate school (delaying income)? Without program-specific data, you're making a $21,750 bet on fundamentals you can't verify.
Where Birmingham-Southern College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22,750 | $45,494* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| — | $57,584* | $49,573 | —* | — | |
| $8,832 | $46,130* | $46,880 | $25,350* | 0.55 | |
| $11,900 | $44,857* | $60,584 | $20,000* | 0.45 | |
| $9,792 | $31,339* | — | $17,500* | 0.56 | |
| 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 Birmingham-Southern College, approximately 23% 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 4 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.