Mathematics at Fairmont State University

A mathematics bachelor's degree from Fairmont State carries an estimated $21,500 in debt—right at the national median for math programs—while earnings projections drawn from peer programs suggest first-year income around $48,800. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 falls comfortably below the 1.0 threshold that typically signals financial stress, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. For context, mathematics degrees nationally tend to produce relatively strong early-career outcomes compared to other liberal arts fields, and this estimated trajectory matches that pattern.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With an extremely high admission rate and below-average SAT scores, Fairmont State serves a different student population than many of the institutions contributing to these national benchmarks. Whether its graduates actually achieve these projected earnings depends heavily on factors we can't measure from this data—job placement support, local employer connections, and whether students pursue roles that actually leverage quantitative skills versus settling for positions that don't require their degree. West Virginia's economy also differs from the national landscape where these earnings estimates originate.

If your child is considering this program, treat the $48,800 figure as a ceiling rather than a guarantee. The debt load appears manageable, but only if employment outcomes justify it. Focus your questions on job placement rates, where recent graduates actually work, and whether the program connects students to employers seeking quantitative talent.