Mathematics at Frostburg State University

Similar mathematics programs across Maryland suggest graduates earn around $56,000 in their first year—a figure that lands right at the state median and above the $48,772 national benchmark. For a field often associated with strong career prospects, this is solid but unremarkable territory. Estimated debt of $21,375 creates a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically dedicate about five months of pre-tax income to loan repayment.

The challenge is context. While Frostburg's peer programs produce outcomes comparable to schools like Towson, the state's top mathematics programs—Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland-College Park—report first-year earnings exceeding $79,000. That's a $23,000 gap that compounds over a career. With an 89% admission rate and one-third of students receiving Pell grants, Frostburg serves a different population than these flagship institutions, but parents should recognize that mathematics degrees vary considerably in market value depending on where they're earned.

The estimated figures here point to a reasonable but not exceptional outcome. If your child is comparing offers, prioritize programs with actual reported earnings data and consider whether the mathematics degree comes with marketable skills like data science or programming. At this debt level, the risk is limited, but so is the upside compared to Maryland's stronger programs.