Applied Mathematics at Colgate University

A $25,000 debt load for a degree from one of the nation's most selective liberal arts colleges sounds manageable—until you see what similar Applied Mathematics programs in New York typically produce in first-year earnings. At an estimated $55,288, this figure sits right at the state median, meaning roughly half of comparable programs are launching graduates into better-paying positions. Given Colgate's 12% admission rate and 1480 average SAT score, families might reasonably expect outcomes closer to Columbia's $91,559 or Rochester Institute of Technology's $74,921.

The 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on its face, but context matters. Colgate's estimated debt matches the national median for similar private institutions, yet peer programs in New York show a wide earnings spread—from $44,000 to over $90,000. Whether this represents Colgate graduates choosing graduate school, nonprofits, or teaching roles over finance and tech isn't clear from the estimates alone, but it's a question worth asking during campus visits.

For families weighing a significant investment in a Colgate education, the uncertainty here is real. The school's prestige and network may open doors that aren't captured in first-year salary data, but you're essentially betting on outcomes that aren't yet visible in the numbers. Before committing, push the admissions office for actual placement data—where do Applied Math graduates land, and what are they earning three to five years out?