Applied Mathematics at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri S&T's applied mathematics program shows first-year earnings of $36,756—roughly 40% below the national median for this major. While it ranks in the 60th percentile among Missouri's five applied math programs, that's because the state overall underperforms dramatically in this field. The $24,107 in median debt is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, but the earnings gap is significant enough to matter when you're competing for jobs nationally.

The caveat here is crucial: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically unreliable. Applied mathematics programs typically produce strong earners (the national median is over $60,000), and Missouri S&T is a solid STEM-focused institution with respectable admission standards. The actual graduate outcomes may be substantially better than this small sample suggests, particularly since applied math careers often see significant salary growth after the first year.

If your child is considering this program, recognize you're making a decision with limited visibility. The low first-year number could reflect graduates pursuing further education, taking research positions, or simply statistical noise from a tiny cohort. Missouri S&T's engineering reputation suggests the education quality is there, but you'll need to dig deeper—talk to the department directly about typical career paths and whether recent grads are entering the workforce immediately or continuing to graduate school.