Mathematics at Dakota Wesleyan University

With estimated debt of $21,750 against first-year earnings around $49,000, this mathematics degree tracks closely with national patterns—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 sits comfortably below the 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress. Based on comparable bachelor's programs nationally, mathematics graduates typically earn enough in their first year to make the debt load manageable, though it's worth noting that South Dakota State's actual reported figure of $46,520 runs about $2,500 lower, suggesting regional salary constraints may apply.

The debt estimate here runs slightly above both South Dakota's typical $18,000 and the national median of $21,500 for math programs, which matters at a smaller private institution where individual financial aid packages can vary significantly. The small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression means outcomes could swing either direction from these peer-based projections. Mathematics degrees generally provide solid foundational skills for various career paths, but starting salaries in South Dakota's job market tend to lag national figures.

The numbers suggest this program could work financially if your student plans to stay flexible about location after graduation. The debt load is reasonable enough that it shouldn't dictate career choices, but without school-specific data, you're making this decision based on what similar programs typically produce rather than Dakota Wesleyan's actual track record.