Mathematics at Dickinson State University

A mathematics degree from Dickinson State carries an estimated $21,500 in debt—right at the national median for math programs—while similar bachelor's programs across the country typically start graduates around $49,000 in first-year earnings. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests manageable repayment, with total debt representing less than half of what graduates might expect to earn in their first year. This falls within the range most financial advisors consider sustainable.

What's uncertain here is how Dickinson State's specific outcomes compare to the broader math degree landscape. With eight schools offering mathematics programs in North Dakota, and none reporting public data on graduate outcomes, parents have limited visibility into whether this particular program performs above or below these national benchmarks. The state's strong job market and tight labor conditions could push earnings higher than national averages, but without program-specific data, that remains speculative.

The fundamental math degree proposition—relatively modest debt for a quantitative credential with diverse career paths—appears intact based on these estimates. However, before committing, contact Dickinson State's career services directly to learn where recent mathematics graduates actually land jobs and at what salaries. Ask specifically about placement in teaching versus industry roles, since those paths typically show significant salary differences in the first few years after graduation.