Mathematics at Chicago State University

A $52,597 estimated first-year salary—drawn from the Illinois median for math bachelor's programs—sits right at the state average but well below what elite universities in the area deliver. Chicago State serves a predominantly Pell-grant population (55% of students), and while the estimated $20,578 in debt is manageable, the earnings picture suggests graduates from this program may face stiffer competition in the job market than peers from higher-ranked institutions where math majors command $80,000 to $100,000 starting salaries.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 looks reasonable on paper—you'd need less than half a year's salary to cover the loan balance. But that calculation assumes the actual outcomes match those of comparable Illinois programs, which isn't guaranteed. Mathematics degrees typically open doors to finance, tech, and analytics roles, yet graduates from schools with stronger industry connections or more rigorous curricula often have first pick of those positions. The modest selectivity (41% admission rate) may reflect resource constraints that affect networking opportunities and employer recruitment.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Chicago State's specific math program can deliver outcomes matching the state median it's being measured against. If your child is highly motivated and plans to pursue internships aggressively, the low debt load provides flexibility. But without certainty about actual graduate outcomes here, you're banking on your student outperforming peers at similarly positioned schools to reach that $52,000 benchmark.