Median Earnings (1yr)
$59,277
82nd percentile (60th in IN)
Median Debt
$22,000
2% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.37
Manageable
Sample Size
30
Adequate data

Analysis

IU-Bloomington's math degree lands graduates in strong starting positions—$59,277 straight out of college—and gets notably stronger from there, with earnings jumping 25% to over $74,000 by year four. That first-year figure sits well above the national median for math majors ($48,772) and puts IU-Bloomington in the 82nd percentile nationally. Within Indiana, the program holds its own at the 60th percentile, trailing elite schools like Rose-Hulman and Notre Dame but outperforming larger competitors like Purdue's main campus.

The $22,000 median debt is exactly the state average and roughly on par with national benchmarks, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. That means graduates earn enough in their first year to cover their debt about 2.7 times over—a comfortable margin that should allow for aggressive loan payoff while building financial stability. The moderate sample size suggests these outcomes are reasonably reliable, though not as statistically robust as larger programs.

For families considering Indiana's public flagships, IU-Bloomington's math program offers solid value: competitive starting salaries with strong upward momentum, reasonable debt, and the credential weight of a well-regarded research university. The earnings trajectory is particularly encouraging—this isn't a degree that plateaus early.

Where Indiana University-Bloomington Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally

Indiana University-BloomingtonOther mathematics programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Bloomington graduates compare to all programs nationally

Indiana University-Bloomington graduates earn $59k, placing them in the 82th percentile of all mathematics bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (37 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Indiana University-Bloomington$59,277$74,190$22,0000.37
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology$85,977$96,973$25,0000.29
University of Notre Dame$65,302$87,725$19,0000.29
Indiana University-East$58,764$55,844$22,3880.38
Purdue University-Main Campus$49,387—$18,8200.38
Indiana University-Indianapolis$45,397$51,052$23,8680.53
National Median$48,772—$21,5000.44

Other Mathematics Programs in Indiana

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Indiana schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute
$56,674$85,977$25,000
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame
$62,693$65,302$19,000
Indiana University-East
Richmond
$8,179$58,764$22,388
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette
$9,992$49,387$18,820
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$10,449$45,397$23,868

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 Indiana University-Bloomington, approximately 17% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 30 graduates with reported earnings and 40 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.