Mathematics at Occidental College

In California, mathematics bachelor's programs produce widely varying outcomes, and Occidental's estimated numbers place it toward the lower end of the spectrum. Drawing from comparable programs statewide, first-year earnings around $38,000 trail not just elite public universities like Cal Poly ($53,000) and UC San Diego ($52,000), but also peer liberal arts college Pomona ($51,000). The national median for math graduates sits at $49,000, suggesting that California's overall average itself runs below typical outcomes elsewhere—and Occidental appears to track with that state median rather than exceed it.

The estimated debt load of $22,000 is manageable in absolute terms and aligns with national norms for math programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, graduates would theoretically dedicate about seven months of first-year income to repayment—workable but not comfortable given that starting salary. The concern isn't crushing debt but rather whether those earnings justify the investment when stronger mathematics programs in the state consistently produce 30-40% higher starting salaries.

For a selective private college charging private tuition, these peer-derived estimates suggest your child might enter the workforce behind classmates from California's top public universities and comparable liberal arts colleges. If they're set on Occidental for fit or other academic strengths, understand that the math degree alone may not deliver the financial trajectory you'd expect from a school with a 1461 average SAT and 40% admission rate.