Mathematics at Hardin-Simmons University

Based on similar mathematics bachelor's programs in Texas, Hardin-Simmons graduates would enter the workforce earning around $50,000—essentially matching both the Texas and national median for this degree. The estimated $21,750 in debt is also nearly identical to the national benchmark, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. This suggests a straightforward value proposition: peer programs in this field typically generate enough income to make the debt load workable, though not exceptional.

What's worth noting is the earnings gap between Hardin-Simmons and Texas's flagship programs. Comparable mathematics graduates from UT Austin earn about $10,000 more in their first year, while SMU graduates command nearly $75,000. Some of this difference likely reflects where graduates land geographically and which industries recruit on campus. Mathematics degrees open doors to teaching, actuarial work, data analysis, and software development—fields with vastly different pay scales—so career direction matters as much as the degree itself.

For a family considering this program, the math is favorable enough: debt equal to less than half of first-year earnings is manageable by most standards. However, the estimates here come from peer institutions rather than Hardin-Simmons specifically, and the 97% admission rate suggests less competitive placement pipelines than you'd find at UT or SMU. If your child has options at Texas's larger public universities, those programs show stronger early earnings. If Hardin-Simmons offers the right fit otherwise, the typical debt-to-earnings picture for Texas mathematics programs shouldn't be a dealbreaker.