Applied Mathematics at Charleston Southern University

In South Carolina's small applied mathematics market, similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $60,000—putting Charleston Southern's estimated outcome squarely in line with what peer institutions deliver. With only six schools in the state offering this degree, and comparable programs at institutions like USC Aiken reporting earnings near $60,000, these figures track consistently across South Carolina's landscape.

The estimated $25,000 debt load—derived from similar private institutions nationally—creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. That's reasonable by any standard, particularly for a STEM-adjacent field where mathematical skills command steady demand. Applied mathematics opens doors in data analysis, actuarial work, and quantitative roles across industries, which helps explain why earnings remain stable even at less selective institutions.

The uncertainty here matters: these estimates tell you what *similar* programs produce, not what Charleston Southern's specific graduates have achieved. For a field where problem-solving skills and quantitative reasoning matter more than institutional prestige, that's likely a minor concern—but it means you're betting on a program without a track record to examine. If your child thrives in mathematical thinking and wants those skills without graduate school debt, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. Just understand you're working with informed projections, not proven outcomes.