Mathematics at Christian Brothers University

A debt load around $22,000 for a mathematics degree isn't alarming on its face—that's right in line with national norms for the major. The challenge is understanding what kind of launch this particular program provides. Based on peer mathematics programs across Tennessee, first-year earnings around $51,000 would place Christian Brothers University graduates near the state median, though well below what Vanderbilt produces and somewhat behind University of Memphis outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests manageable repayment, assuming employment in a math-related field.

What's harder to assess here is trajectory. Mathematics degrees can lead to vastly different outcomes depending on whether graduates pursue teaching, actuarial work, data analysis, or graduate school. The school's 88% admission rate and modest SAT profile suggest it's serving a different population than Vanderbilt, but whether CBU's smaller program provides the advising, internship connections, and technical skill development to compete for higher-paying analytical roles remains unclear. Tennessee's mathematics market shows significant variation—from $39,000 to over $100,000 in first-year earnings—making the program's specific placement patterns critical information that simply isn't available here.

If your child is confident about their career direction in mathematics and CBU offers strong faculty mentorship or industry connections in that area, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But given the uncertainty around actual outcomes, you'll want concrete answers about where recent graduates are working and what roles they're landing.