Mathematics at Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State's mathematics program sits near the national median for earnings but trails most Massachusetts competitors by a significant margin. At $48,457 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $13,000 less than the typical Massachusetts math major—landing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. The debt load of $27,000 is modest and manageable, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, but that relative advantage doesn't fully offset the earnings gap when nearby programs regularly produce $60,000+ starting salaries.

The earnings trajectory does improve, reaching $56,796 by year four (17% growth), though this still lags the state median considerably. For context, even mid-tier Massachusetts programs like Bentley and Northeastern see math graduates earning $74,000-$76,000 early in their careers. The difference likely reflects both the university's open-access mission (89% admission rate) and its regional employment network, which may funnel graduates toward teaching and local positions rather than the finance and tech roles that drive higher math salaries in the Boston area.

If your child plans to stay in Massachusetts and wants a math degree, understand they'll likely earn 20-30% less than peers from more selective state programs. The low debt makes this viable, but only if teaching or staying local aligns with their goals. For students targeting quantitative careers in Boston's stronger job markets, the earnings gap becomes harder to justify.