Mathematics at Dakota State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests that this program, like many math bachelor's degrees, starts with manageable financial footing. Based on comparable mathematics programs nationally, first-year earnings around $49,000 paired with roughly $21,500 in debt means graduates would dedicate less than half their first year's salary to their educational investment—a workable proposition for most families. Math degrees typically open doors to teaching, actuarial work, data analysis, and graduate study, fields where earnings often climb substantially after those early years.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt estimated from national medians rather than Dakota State's actual outcomes, you're relying on the assumption that this small South Dakota program performs like the typical math program elsewhere. South Dakota State—the only in-state comparison with reported data—shows slightly lower first-year earnings at $46,520, though graduates there carry about $3,500 less debt. Dakota State's 98% admission rate and modest SAT scores (1129) suggest it serves a different student population than more selective institutions, which could affect both career outcomes and the types of mathematics careers graduates pursue.

For families willing to accept this level of uncertainty, the fundamentals look reasonable: math skills remain marketable, and the estimated debt burden isn't crushing. But you're buying based on national averages rather than demonstrated results from this specific program.