Mathematics at Northland College

A debt load of $27,000 for a bachelor's in mathematics sits above both the state median ($23,642) and national median ($21,500) for this field, while earnings projections based on comparable Wisconsin programs suggest starting pay around $50,285—right at the state median but competitive with many well-regarded institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means roughly half a year's salary goes toward debt, which is manageable but not exceptional given that stronger programs like UW-Madison report first-year earnings above $67,000 with similar or lower debt burdens.

Mathematics degrees typically offer solid employment prospects, but Northland's small program size means these estimates reflect what similar Wisconsin programs produce rather than this school's specific track record. The $27,000 debt estimate, also drawn from peer institutions, raises practical concerns: at standard repayment rates, monthly payments would claim a meaningful chunk of an entry-level salary. For a family weighing this investment, the question becomes whether Northland's educational environment—smaller classes, perhaps more individualized attention—justifies paying more debt for earnings that mirror larger state universities.

The limited data here means you're essentially betting on Northland matching its peers' outcomes. If your student thrives in smaller settings and those peer programs are reliable indicators, the numbers work. But without this school's actual graduate outcomes, you're accepting more financial risk than you would at programs with proven track records.