Applied Mathematics at Florida Institute of Technology

Applied mathematics bachelor's programs nationally cluster around $61,000 in first-year earnings, which is where peer programs suggest Florida Tech's graduates land. At an estimated $25,000 in debt—slightly above the national median of $21,000—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 falls within acceptable bounds for a STEM degree. What's harder to assess is whether Florida Tech's private school premium delivers advantages that justify the additional borrowing compared to what public alternatives might offer.

The challenge here is that Florida Tech is one of only seven schools in the state offering applied mathematics, and none of the others have published earnings data, making meaningful in-state comparisons impossible. The school's 63% admission rate and 1213 average SAT suggest moderate selectivity, which typically correlates with solid career services and alumni networks in technical fields. However, without knowing the outcomes at Florida's public universities offering similar programs, you're making this decision with limited visibility into alternatives.

Given the reasonable debt load and solid estimated earnings baseline for applied mathematics nationally, this program likely represents an acceptable investment if your student is drawn to Florida Tech's size and culture. But before committing, request placement data directly from the department—where graduates work, which companies recruit on campus, and what percentage secure employment in quantitative roles within six months.