Mathematics at Northeastern University

Northeastern's math graduates command salaries that crush national averages—earning $76,392 right out of college versus $48,772 nationally—but within Massachusetts, they're solidly mid-pack. The program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally yet only the 60th percentile statewide, reflecting how competitive Massachusetts is for quantitative talent. Programs at MIT, Tufts, and even Amherst significantly outpace Northeastern's outcomes, suggesting that in this state's dense concentration of tech and finance employers, the elite brand carries substantial weight.

The financial fundamentals look reasonable: $21,750 in median debt translates to a 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates see steady income growth to $90,232 by year four. That's a solid foundation for launching a quantitative career. However, given Northeastern's 6% admission rate and 1505 average SAT—numbers comparable to schools producing $100,000+ math earners—there's a meaningful gap between institutional selectivity and program outcomes.

For families paying full freight at a highly selective private university, this matters. Your child will likely do well by most standards, but if they're competitive enough to get into Northeastern, they may have access to Massachusetts programs with stronger employer pipelines for math talent. The co-op program presumably offers valuable experience, but it hasn't translated into top-tier compensation relative to local peers. Consider whether other admitted schools might deliver better returns on comparable credentials.