Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests manageable borrowing, but the estimated $60,930 first-year salary trails what similar applied mathematics programs in Ohio typically produce. The flagship Ohio State program reports $82,523—over $20,000 more annually—which should prompt serious questions about whether Zanesville's smaller campus delivers comparable career outcomes. Since these figures come from national peers rather than tracked graduates from this specific program, you're making decisions with limited visibility into what actually happens to students who complete this degree here.
The $21,000 estimated debt sits slightly below the national median for applied mathematics programs, which is encouraging. However, pairing that with earnings closer to the national average than Ohio's robust state median means students here may be giving up significant earning potential compared to programs at larger Ohio institutions. Applied mathematics typically commands strong salaries, and the gap between this estimate and state performance is substantial enough to matter over a career.
This program might work for students who need the regional campus access and can't relocate, but understand you're betting on outcomes without school-specific evidence. If your child can access Ohio State or other programs reporting the higher state-level earnings, that $20,000+ annual difference compounds quickly. The debt load appears reasonable, but only if the earning power materializes—and without actual graduate data, that remains an open question.
Where Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,178 | $60,930* | — | $21,000* | — | |
| $12,859 | $82,523* | — | $14,929* | 0.18 | |
| National Median | — | $60,930* | — | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.