Applied Mathematics at Bucknell University

A selective liberal arts university charging typical private school debt—estimates based on comparable Pennsylvania programs suggest around $25,400—for first-year earnings near $58,400 requires careful scrutiny. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 sits in reasonable territory, but it's critical to understand you're paying Bucknell's premium price (reflected in that estimated debt) for outcomes that track exactly with the Pennsylvania state median for applied mathematics programs, including less expensive public options.

The national benchmark for applied mathematics graduates is slightly higher at $60,930, meaning peer programs across the country suggest marginally better starting salaries. What you're really evaluating here is whether Bucknell's broader value proposition—its 32% admission rate selectivity, strong alumni network, and undergraduate focus—justifies debt levels that appear standard for private institutions but yield starting earnings indistinguishable from state school graduates. The math itself is workable: a debt load under half your first-year salary is manageable. But families should recognize they're likely paying a "Bucknell premium" for campus experience and brand rather than measurably different career outcomes in this specific field.

The practical takeaway: if your family can afford Bucknell's full cost without significant borrowing, the overall college experience may justify the choice. But if you're financing most of it through loans, understand that the estimated earnings trajectory doesn't appear to reward that investment in quantifiable ways compared to less expensive Pennsylvania alternatives.