Mathematics at Morehead State University

Morehead State's mathematics program starts graduates at just $24,257—nearly half the national median and $7,500 below Kentucky's typical math graduate. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not tell the whole story, the pattern is concerning enough that families should understand what they're looking at. Even within Kentucky's more modest earnings landscape, this program ranks only at the 25th percentile, with nearby University of Kentucky graduates earning $15,000 more annually.

The math here is straightforward but not encouraging: with debt roughly equal to first-year earnings, graduates face a full year's salary in loans while earning less than many entry-level positions outside their field. The 65% earnings jump to nearly $40,000 by year four suggests some graduates eventually find their footing, but that's still below what most math majors earn right out of college elsewhere.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether there are compelling non-financial reasons—perhaps staying close to home in eastern Kentucky or specific faculty relationships. The admission rate and modest debt levels indicate accessibility, but the earnings data suggests graduates may struggle more financially than math majors from other Kentucky universities. If mathematics is the goal, comparing outcomes at UK or other state programs would be prudent before committing.