Mathematics at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's mathematics program clears the national bar—graduates earn about $2,000 more than the typical math major nationwide—but lags noticeably behind Virginia's stronger math programs. At $58,924 four years out, earnings trail the state median by nearly $2,000 and fall well short of what graduates from UVA, William & Mary, or even JMU typically earn. For a family weighing Virginia options, this means accepting roughly $5,000-8,000 less annually compared to what their child might earn with a degree from the state's top programs.

The $23,000 debt load is manageable either way—just 45% of first-year earnings—and graduates see solid 16% income growth over their first four years. That's a reasonable foundation for launching a career in teaching, analytics, or data science. The catch? Small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable than data from larger programs, so actual outcomes could vary more than usual.

For families who need Old Dominion's accessibility (91% admission rate) or location in Hampton Roads, this program offers a safe path into quantitative careers without crushing debt. But if your child can get into one of Virginia's more selective public universities, the earnings premium suggests that's worth pursuing—the gap compounds significantly over a career.