Mathematics at Loyola Marymount University

A math degree from an expensive private university in Los Angeles carries particular financial weight, and comparable programs in California suggest Loyola Marymount graduates might earn around $38,000 in their first year—substantially below the national median of $48,772 for math bachelor's degrees. This gap is significant: top California programs like Cal Poly SLO and UC San Diego report first-year earnings above $50,000, showing what's possible in the state for math graduates. The estimated $21,750 in debt falls close to national norms, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that demands careful consideration.

The challenge here is straightforward: you're potentially paying private school tuition (LMU's selectivity and low Pell Grant percentage suggest premium pricing) for outcomes that track with the California state average rather than the state's strongest programs. Math degrees typically open doors to well-paying fields like tech, finance, and data science, where starting salaries often climb quickly. But first-year earnings in the high $30,000s leave little margin for loan repayment, especially in expensive Los Angeles.

Before committing, compare LMU's actual cost of attendance against public alternatives. If scholarships bring the price down significantly, the smaller class sizes and private school environment might justify the premium. Otherwise, the data from peer programs suggests this investment faces an uphill battle in a state where stronger math programs with reported outcomes deliver 30-40% higher starting salaries.