Mathematics at Illinois College

Is a mathematics degree worth the investment when the financial picture depends entirely on estimates? For Illinois College, the numbers from similar Illinois programs suggest first-year earnings around $52,600—right at the state median—with debt around $17,100, creating a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly one-third of a year's salary, which positions the program favorably compared to the $21,500 national debt median for math degrees.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from peer data, not actual outcomes from Illinois College graduates. The state's math programs show enormous variability—from Chicago's six-figure earners down to programs in the low $50,000s—and there's no way to know where this specific program actually falls within that range. The estimated debt figure is particularly uncertain, derived from just four comparable Illinois schools. Small liberal arts colleges can vary dramatically in their financial aid models and student borrowing patterns.

What you're really evaluating is whether a math degree from a regional liberal arts college is worth roughly $17,000 in debt. If the earnings estimates hold, that's manageable debt that shouldn't overwhelm early-career budgets. But you're betting on a program with no track record you can verify. Contact the career services office directly and ask where recent math graduates actually landed—specific employers, graduate schools, and starting positions matter more than statewide averages when the data doesn't exist for this particular program.