Mathematics at Mount Saint Mary's University

Is a math degree from Mount Saint Mary's worth nearly $22,000 in debt when similar California programs suggest first-year earnings around $38,000? That's the central question here, and the answer depends heavily on what happens after that first year. The estimated debt load sits just above the national median for math programs, while projected earnings fall about $10,000 below the national benchmark of $48,772. With more than half the student body receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on solid financial returns.

The estimated 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory—monthly loan payments would consume roughly 6-7% of gross income under standard repayment. However, comparable math programs across California show a wide spectrum of outcomes, with top UC campuses and Cal Poly placing graduates at $46,000 to $53,000 in their first year. That $10,000-plus gap matters when you're making loan payments. The real concern is whether Mount Saint Mary's provides the career networks and quantitative training that help math graduates move into higher-paying fields like data analysis, actuarial work, or tech.

Given the limited graduate sample that necessitated these estimates, ask the school directly about recent graduate outcomes and placement rates. Where do their math majors actually land? The estimated numbers suggest an affordable entry point, but only if the program delivers pathways to positions that leverage quantitative skills for stronger second- and third-year earnings growth.