Mathematics at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Based on comparable mathematics programs in Florida, FAMU graduates might expect around $46,000 in their first year—roughly in line with the state median but trailing programs like UCF and FSU by $3,000-$5,000. The estimated $20,000 debt load tracks closely with what other Florida math majors carry, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that suggests the degree could be paid off within a reasonable timeframe.

What complicates the picture is that these figures come from peer programs rather than FAMU's actual outcomes, which the Department of Education can't report due to small graduate cohorts. That's not unusual for math programs—they're smaller by nature—but it means you're betting on whether FAMU's rigorous admissions (21% acceptance rate) and student profile (56% Pell recipients) translates into outcomes similar to other Florida schools. The national median sits about $2,600 higher, suggesting Florida math majors generally earn less than their counterparts elsewhere.

For a family weighing this investment, the key question is whether $20,000 in debt feels manageable against the possibility of $46,000 starting pay. That's less than half your first-year salary—workable if the estimates hold. But recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into how FAMU's specific program performs in the job market.