Mathematics at College of Our Lady of the Elms

Based on comparable mathematics programs in Massachusetts, the financial picture here looks solid. The estimated first-year earnings of $61,761 align exactly with the state median and significantly outpace the national median of $48,772. The projected debt of roughly $19,300 is manageable—just 31% of that first year's salary—giving graduates real financial breathing room as they launch their careers.

The honest challenge is figuring out what this small program specifically delivers. While Massachusetts math programs range from MIT's $109,000 outcomes down to the $61,761 peer-program average, we don't know where Elms' actual graduates land on that spectrum because too few complete the program for the DOE to publish their outcomes. The 88% admission rate and modest SAT average suggest this isn't competing directly with the state's elite programs, but that doesn't necessarily translate to weaker outcomes—smaller math departments can offer personalized attention that helps students succeed.

What matters most: if your child completes this degree, peer programs suggest they'll enter a field where even average Massachusetts outcomes provide strong earning potential relative to modest debt. The risk isn't the math major itself—it's whether a small program will be the right fit academically and whether it has the placement connections to help new graduates land those first positions. Talk specifically with the department about recent graduate placements and whether students access internships at local employers who value quantitative skills.