Analysis
With an estimated first-year salary around $58,000 and projected debt of $25,400, Geneva College's applied mathematics degree appears to land squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's range for this field. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their student loans—a manageable threshold that suggests the degree pays for itself relatively quickly. The caveat here is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Geneva's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about whether this specific program delivers similarly.
What matters most is how this stacks up practically. Similar programs across Pennsylvania produce first-year earnings near $58,000, putting Geneva's estimates right at the state median but slightly below the $61,000 national benchmark for applied mathematics bachelor's degrees. The debt estimate, drawn from comparable private institutions nationally, runs about $4,000 above the national median for this major. That difference isn't alarming, but it does mean Geneva students might be paying slightly more for outcomes that appear typical rather than exceptional.
For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this investment makes sense given the uncertainty. The fundamentals look reasonable—applied mathematics consistently produces solid starting salaries, and the projected debt load wouldn't be crushing. But without actual outcomes data from Geneva itself, you're essentially betting that their program performs as well as the state average. If your child has admission offers from schools with reported data showing stronger earnings, those represent less of a gamble.
Where Geneva College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (18 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,610 | $58,358* | — | $25,421* | — | |
| $34,940 | $62,328* | $75,554 | $25,000* | 0.40 | |
| $14,620 | $58,358* | $78,897 | $22,571* | 0.39 | |
| $14,630 | $58,358* | $78,897 | $22,571* | 0.39 | |
| $21,524 | $58,358* | $78,897 | $22,571* | 0.39 | |
| National Median | — | $60,930* | — | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
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 Geneva College, approximately 32% 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 4 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.