Mathematics at Monmouth College

Based on comparable mathematics programs across Illinois, Monmouth College's outcomes look reasonable—an estimated $52,597 in first-year earnings aligns with the state median and exceeds the national benchmark of $48,772. More importantly, the estimated $17,084 in debt sits well below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 that suggests graduates could manage repayment on about a third of their first-year income.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With such a small graduating class that the Department of Education couldn't publish actual outcomes, it's hard to know whether Monmouth's math graduates truly mirror the broader Illinois picture or diverge in meaningful ways. The school's 87% admission rate and middle-of-the-road SAT scores suggest it's not competing directly with Northwestern or University of Chicago, where math graduates earn substantially more. But the lower estimated debt burden could offset any earnings gap, particularly if your student values the smaller environment that comes with programs of this size.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers point to workable economics—manageable debt for a STEM degree with solid earning potential. However, you're making this decision with limited visibility into Monmouth's specific track record. If math is the firm choice, compare the actual classroom experience, faculty connections, and graduate school placement rates against larger Illinois programs where you'd have more outcome certainty, even if the debt load might be higher.