Applied Mathematics at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's applied mathematics program sits at an interesting crossroads: while it ranks below average nationally (21st percentile), it's actually above median for Georgia programs (60th percentile). The first-year earnings of $50,007 trail the national benchmark by nearly $11,000, but this picture is complicated by limited in-state alternatives—only seven Georgia schools offer this degree. Students here graduate with relatively modest debt ($28,000), which ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle graduates with more. That translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold.

The real question is whether this $10,000 earnings gap versus national peers matters when Georgia's in-state tuition advantage helps keep debt low. For a Georgia resident choosing between going out of state for potentially higher earnings or staying local, the debt difference could take years to overcome. However, the caveat looms large: fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset means these numbers could swing significantly with different cohorts.

For families prioritizing debt management and in-state options, this program offers a workable path into a quantitative field without crushing loan burdens. Just recognize you're likely trading some earning potential for financial predictability.