Mathematics at Bucknell University

A $26,000 debt load for a mathematics degree from a selective liberal arts university sounds reasonable on paper, but the estimated first-year earnings of $48,800 track exactly with Pennsylvania's median—raising questions about whether Bucknell's selective admissions (32% acceptance rate, 1389 SAT) translate into stronger career outcomes. Based on comparable Pennsylvania mathematics programs, graduates here appear to be landing in the middle of the pack rather than commanding the premium you'd expect from a competitive private institution. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 is manageable, but other selective schools in the state are producing dramatically different results: Villanova mathematics graduates earn an estimated $75,000 in their first year, while Swarthmore and Drexel also clear $70,000.

The gap matters because mathematics degrees typically open doors to finance, tech, and analytics roles where starting salaries vary widely based on employer networks and career placement support. When peer programs at similarly selective institutions show 50% higher earnings, it suggests either different industry pathways or stronger recruiting pipelines. For a family paying private school tuition, understanding why Bucknell's outcomes align with the state median rather than with its admissions selectivity is critical—especially since the limited sample size means these estimates draw from other programs rather than actual Bucknell graduate data. Before committing, press the department directly about placement rates in high-paying sectors like quantitative finance or data science versus graduate school or teaching paths.