Mathematics at Friends University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests manageable financial footing, but that's based on national benchmarks rather than Friends University's actual graduate outcomes. The estimated $48,772 first-year salary aligns with the national median for math bachelor's programs, while the projected $21,750 in debt sits right at the national median as well. In Kansas specifically, similar programs carry slightly higher debt loads (around $24,125) with moderately lower earnings ($45,896), so these estimates would place Friends competitively—if they prove accurate.

The real uncertainty here is whether Friends' graduates match these peer program outcomes. Kansas flagships like KU report first-year earnings in the mid-to-high $40,000s for math majors, suggesting the estimates aren't unrealistic for the state market. However, with a 56% admission rate and average SAT around 1000, Friends draws a different student profile than research universities, which could affect career trajectories and earnings. The 34% Pell grant rate indicates meaningful economic diversity, which matters when considering how different students might leverage a math degree.

Without actual graduate data, you're essentially betting that Friends' outcomes mirror national norms. That might be reasonable given the debt-to-earnings fundamentals look sound, but acknowledge you're making that decision with incomplete information about this specific program's track record. If your student has stronger admission options with reported data, those provide firmer ground for comparison.