Analysis
A mathematics bachelor's from Ottawa University-Kansas City comes with estimated first-year earnings around $48,800—right at the national median for math programs—paired with roughly $21,750 in debt. That 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment: less than half of first-year income, which typically translates to affordable monthly payments even on a standard loan schedule.
What's harder to assess is trajectory. National data shows math majors often see earnings growth as they move into analytics, actuarial work, or data science roles, but without specific outcomes from Ottawa-KC's program, you're making assumptions about whether their curriculum and career support deliver similar results. The school serves a large population of Pell-eligible students (46%), which speaks to accessibility, but doesn't tell you whether graduates land the kinds of positions that justify even moderate debt loads. Kansas math programs vary considerably—KU graduates start near $49,000 while K-State begins closer to $43,000—and Ottawa-KC's small cohort means actual outcomes could fall anywhere in that range or beyond it.
The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if the program performs like typical math degrees nationwide. But with no verified data on this specific cohort, you're essentially betting that Ottawa-KC's training, faculty connections, and employer relationships produce outcomes comparable to peer institutions—a bet that's tougher to make confidently for a smaller, private university than for established state programs with transparent track records.
Where Ottawa University-Kansas City Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (24 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $48,772* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| $11,700 | $48,726* | — | $27,000* | 0.55 | |
| $10,942 | $43,067* | — | $21,250* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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 Ottawa University-Kansas City, approximately 46% 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 253 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.