Mathematics at Lawrence University

Lawrence University's small mathematics program makes it hard to assess directly, but peer programs in Wisconsin typically produce first-year earnings around $50,000—roughly in line with the national median for math degrees. The estimated $27,000 debt load, however, sits notably above both the Wisconsin and national medians for this major, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 that's serviceable but not comfortable.

The challenge here is context: Wisconsin's flagship produces math graduates earning $68,000 in their first year, while even smaller private colleges like Saint Norbert and Carthage place math majors in the low-to-mid $50,000s. Lawrence's selectivity (average SAT of 1349) suggests a similar peer group, yet the estimated outcomes align more with the state median across all institutions. For a private liberal arts college charging private tuition, that's worth questioning—especially when the debt figure appears elevated compared to similar programs statewide.

The math here is straightforward: borrowing $27,000 to earn $50,000 is manageable but leaves less room for error than lower-debt alternatives. Before committing, compare Lawrence's actual aid package against schools with reported outcomes in the $52,000-$56,000 range. The difference between estimated and actual could matter significantly at this price point.