Analysis
Math majors in Massachusetts command strong starting salaries, and peer institutions suggest this program aligns with that trend. The estimated $61,761 first-year earnings—derived from comparable Massachusetts bachelor's programs—matches the state median and sits well above the $48,772 national benchmark. While elite schools like MIT and Tufts launch graduates into six-figure territories, that comparison isn't particularly useful for a regional public institution serving a student body where 40% receive Pell grants.
The estimated debt of $26,270 creates a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would theoretically owe less than half their first-year salary. That's a comfortable position, though it's worth noting this figure exceeds both the Massachusetts median ($19,750) and national median ($21,500) for math programs. Similar programs at this institution type in the state provide this estimate, so individual outcomes will vary based on factors like financial aid packages and time to completion.
The real limitation here is uncertainty: with both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer programs rather than actual graduate outcomes, you're making decisions with incomplete information about this specific program. If your child is strong in mathematics and prefers a small liberal arts setting over larger state universities with reported data, the broader Massachusetts math employment picture looks favorable. Just recognize you're projecting from similar programs rather than banking on demonstrated results.
Where Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (44 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11,884 | $61,761* | — | $26,270* | — | |
| $67,844 | $110,512* | — | $17,750* | 0.16 | |
| $60,156 | $109,288* | $180,882 | $10,003* | 0.09 | |
| $67,280 | $78,500* | $109,199 | $14,745* | 0.19 | |
| $63,141 | $76,392* | $90,232 | $21,750* | 0.28 | |
| $58,150 | $74,737* | — | $19,334* | 0.26 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, approximately 40% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.