Mathematics at Pacific University

Pacific University's mathematics program faces a challenging comparison against both state and national benchmarks. Based on Oregon's median for mathematics bachelor's degrees, first-year earnings around $41,000 fall roughly $7,500 below the national median of $48,772. With estimated debt at $21,750—slightly above the state median—graduates would be carrying a debt burden equivalent to about half their first-year salary. This 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable but not comfortable repayment, especially given that comparable programs across Oregon show wide variation in outcomes, from Oregon State's $45,000 to University of Oregon's $25,000.

The fundamental question is whether a mathematics degree from Pacific—a small, open-enrollment institution—can compete with larger state universities that dominate the field. Oregon State produces notably higher earnings for math graduates, while Pacific's more selective peers don't necessarily guarantee better financial outcomes. For families considering this program, the reality is that you're looking at below-national-average earnings paired with above-state-average debt, based on how similar programs perform.

The uncertainty here matters: without actual graduate outcomes from Pacific, you're banking on their program matching the Oregon average rather than falling toward the lower end. If your student is committed to Pacific specifically, make sure they understand they'll need to be strategic about internships, graduate school plans, or secondary teaching credentials to improve their post-graduation prospects beyond what these peer programs typically deliver.