Mathematics at Ouachita Baptist University

A mathematics bachelor's degree from a smaller Baptist university in Arkansas comes with an estimated price tag of $21,750—manageable debt on its own, but the earnings picture requires context. Based on comparable mathematics programs in Arkansas, first-year earnings hover around $41,000, which puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 0.53. That's in line with what you'd find at Arkansas's flagship university, where actual reported outcomes show math graduates earning $41,409.

The challenge is that Arkansas mathematics graduates, based on statewide patterns, typically earn about $8,000 less annually than their peers nationally ($48,772 median). Whether that gap reflects regional cost-of-living advantages or limited local opportunities for STEM graduates matters for long-term career planning. The estimated debt here sits slightly above the state median of $16,711 for math programs, though it's comparable to the national benchmark of $21,500.

For a student committed to staying in Arkansas and pursuing teaching or regional industry positions, these numbers work—debt payments should remain manageable on a $41,000 starting salary. But if graduate school or positions in higher-paying markets are the goal, understand you're beginning from a regional baseline that trails the national mathematics market significantly.