Analysis
Pennsylvania's mathematics programs show enormous variation, with top performers like Villanova and Swarthmore launching graduates at $70,000+ while others cluster around $48,000. Franklin and Marshall's estimated outcomes—based on comparable Pennsylvania math programs—place it squarely in the middle tier at roughly $48,800 in first-year earnings. That's reasonable for a selective liberal arts college (32% admission rate, 1394 average SAT), but it's not the premium return that some peers deliver, even as the estimated debt load of $26,000 sits near the state median.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 suggests manageable repayment if these estimates hold true, though parents should recognize the wide gap between Franklin and Marshall's likely outcomes and the state's elite performers. What's harder to gauge is whether F&M's smaller math program (too few graduates for the DOE to report actual data) offers advantages—like personalized attention or strong graduate school preparation—that don't show up in first-year salary figures. For families paying private college tuition, that $20,000+ earnings gap compared to Pennsylvania's best math programs represents real money over a career, even if the immediate debt burden seems reasonable. If your child is choosing Franklin and Marshall for fit or academic culture, the math program appears serviceable, but if pure earnings potential drives the decision, scrutinize whether this investment delivers what costlier alternatives promise.
Where Franklin and Marshall 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)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster | $68,380 | $48,800* | — | $25,990* | — |
 Villanova UniversityVillanova | $64,701 | $75,481* | $84,324 | $25,454* | 0.34 |
 Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore | $62,412 | $72,656* | — | —* | — |
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $70,313* | $81,966 | $30,899* | 0.44 |
 Temple UniversityPhiladelphia | $22,082 | $59,167* | $54,614 | $22,500* | 0.38 |
 Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh | $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 Franklin and Marshall College, approximately 17% 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.