Analysis
Similar math programs at private colleges in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $48,800—right in line with both state and national medians. That's solid middle ground, but it also puts Elizabethtown's estimated outcomes well below what graduates from Villanova, Swarthmore, or Drexel typically see in their first year. The gap isn't trivial: those top-tier programs produce earnings 40-50% higher.
The estimated debt burden of roughly $26,000 sits close to Pennsylvania's median for comparable programs, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. That's manageable—not concerning, but not particularly advantageous either. Peer programs in the state show this is about what you'd expect to borrow for a private college math degree in Pennsylvania. Given that only 19% of students here receive Pell grants, most families are likely paying significant amounts out of pocket beyond what's captured in these loan figures.
The practical takeaway: if your child has strong enough credentials to get into Elizabethtown (with a 1190 average SAT and 77% admission rate), they might also qualify for programs with significantly stronger earnings potential. Pennsylvania's math landscape is competitive, and the difference between middle-tier and top-tier outcomes is substantial enough to warrant applications across that spectrum.
Where Elizabethtown College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (74 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,842 | $48,800* | — | $25,990* | — | |
| $64,701 | $75,481* | $84,324 | $25,454* | 0.34 | |
| $62,412 | $72,656* | — | —* | — | |
| $60,663 | $70,313* | $81,966 | $30,899* | 0.44 | |
| $22,082 | $59,167* | $54,614 | $22,500* | 0.38 | |
| $47,146 | $49,314* | $62,639 | $26,940* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Elizabethtown College, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.