Mathematics at Michigan Technological University

A mathematics degree from Michigan Tech comes with $23,250 in debt—slightly below both the state median of $25,125 and the national median of $21,500. While first-year earnings here are estimated from three comparable programs in Michigan at roughly $48,000, that figure aligns closely with the national median for math bachelor's degrees of $48,772, suggesting the estimate is reasonable. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means graduates would need to dedicate about half their first year's salary to clear their loans, which is manageable territory for STEM fields.

The challenge is that Michigan's math graduate market shows enormous variation. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn an estimated $80,676 their first year out—nearly $33,000 more than what similar programs in the state typically produce. Michigan Tech's strong STEM focus and 88% admission rate position it between elite outcomes and the state baseline, but without reported data specific to this program, it's unclear where exactly it falls in that range.

For parents, the fundamentals look solid: below-average debt paired with earnings that meet national standards for math degrees. The real question is whether Michigan Tech's technical emphasis and location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula help graduates capture more of that University of Michigan premium, or whether they track closer to the $45,000-$48,000 range most Michigan programs deliver. At this debt level, either outcome represents a reasonable investment.