Mathematics at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's math program lands solidly in the middle of North Carolina's landscape—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—but trails the national median by about $5,000 annually. At $43,585, graduates earn less than they would at UNC-Chapel Hill (where math majors start at $53,400), though they're outpacing several other state schools. For a selective university with a 1380 average SAT, this represents a respectable but not standout outcome for math majors.

The debt picture is reasonable: $21,256 means graduates face monthly payments around $240, consuming roughly 6.6% of gross income—a manageable burden that won't derail other financial goals. The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio sits well below concerning thresholds. However, NC State math graduates are earning about 11% below the national median for this major, which matters if your student is weighing in-state tuition against out-of-state options.

The key question is career trajectory. Mathematics degrees typically serve as launching pads—graduates move into actuarial work, data science, or graduate programs where earnings accelerate significantly. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation in a traditional math role, the starting salary is functional but not impressive. If they're using this as preparation for graduate school or pivoting into tech or finance, NC State's strong reputation and network may prove more valuable than the first-year number suggests.