Analysis
A $52,597 estimated first-year salary based on comparable Illinois mathematics programs puts Bradley's outcomes right at the state median, suggesting fairly typical performance for the region. When paired with an estimated $17,084 in debt—considerably lower than both the state and national medians for math degrees—the financial picture looks balanced. That 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would theoretically owe about a third of their first-year salary, a manageable starting point.
The estimates here mask what could be significant variation. Illinois math programs span from elite institutions like University of Chicago ($100K+) down to state schools hovering around this $52K mark. Bradley's 77% admission rate and middle-tier test scores suggest it belongs in that latter group, making the estimated outcomes plausible. Still, with data suppressed due to small graduate samples, there's no certainty these figures reflect Bradley's actual performance—they could be meaningfully better or worse.
The key question is whether $52K justifies the investment when you're working from estimates rather than track records. The lower debt helps, but parents should recognize they're making this decision with limited visibility into what Bradley mathematics graduates specifically achieve. If your child has acceptances from schools with reported outcomes in the $52-55K range, those offer more certainty about what you're actually buying.
Where Bradley University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (48 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,680 | $52,597* | — | $17,084* | — | |
| $66,939 | $100,421* | $107,611 | $12,000* | 0.12 | |
| $65,997 | $79,530* | $85,521 | $12,418* | 0.16 | |
| $44,460 | $55,586* | $75,420 | $26,154* | 0.47 | |
| $16,021 | $52,597* | $56,681 | $20,309* | 0.39 | |
| $34,070 | $51,157* | $51,631 | $21,750* | 0.43 | |
| 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 Bradley University, approximately 29% 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 7 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.