Mathematics at Elon University

A debt load of roughly $22,000 against first-year earnings near $41,000 creates a manageable financial foundation—the 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably within reasonable territory. But these figures come from peer programs rather than Elon's actual graduates, and the broader context raises questions about value. Similar mathematics programs in North Carolina cluster tightly around $41,000 in starting earnings, trailing the $49,000 national median by about 16%. More striking is the comparison within the state itself: Duke mathematics graduates start near $121,000, while UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State graduates launch careers in the mid-$40,000s to low-$50,000s. When peer programs suggest earnings that match the state median exactly—which itself lags significantly behind national outcomes—parents should understand they may be paying private university prices for outcomes typical of state institutions.

The practical consideration here is whether Elon's smaller program size (which necessitates these estimates) translates to advantages that justify potential tuition differences compared to larger North Carolina public universities. The debt itself won't be crushing, but if you're considering Elon over NC State or UNC-Charlotte—where actual reported earnings hover in similar territory—you'll need campus-specific reasons beyond the mathematics degree itself to justify the choice.