Mathematics at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins math graduates start at $83,000—outearning 95% of math programs nationally and ranking second among Maryland schools, just behind UMD College Park. The catch? We're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift substantially with a larger cohort. Still, the pattern makes sense: Hopkins' elite placement (8% admission rate, 1553 average SAT) and Baltimore's proximity to D.C. government agencies, defense contractors, and quantitative finance roles create natural pathways to high-paying analytical positions.

The debt picture reinforces the value story. At just under $11,000, Hopkins math majors graduate with half the debt of typical Maryland math students and less than a fifth the national average. That 0.13 debt-to-earnings ratio means students could theoretically clear their loans in under two months of work. Four-year earnings jump to $117,000—a 41% gain suggesting graduates are moving into senior analyst, data science, or quantitative roles rather than plateauing.

The small sample size matters here. If your child would be one of 15 math majors rather than 150, verify that Hopkins provides adequate advising, career networking, and course offerings in their specific math interests (pure math versus applied, statistics versus theory). But assuming the program fits, you're looking at minimal debt for access to Hopkins' academic reputation and alumni network, leading to earnings that dwarf both state and national norms.