Analysis
Based on comparable mathematics programs across California, Point Loma Nazarene's bachelor's graduates can expect first-year earnings around $38,000—about $10,000 below the national median for math majors. That's a significant gap, especially given that San Diego's cost of living ranks among the highest in the country. The estimated $21,750 in debt aligns closely with typical borrowing for private university math programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that suggests manageable but not particularly favorable economics.
What makes this estimate particularly uncertain is the wide variation among California math programs. Top state schools like Cal Poly SLO and UC San Diego place graduates at $52,000-plus in their first year—38% higher than the state median Point Loma is being compared against. Whether Point Loma performs closer to these stronger programs or below the state average depends entirely on factors we can't assess from the suppressed data: program quality, alumni networks in San Diego's tech and education sectors, and how well students convert their degree into high-value positions.
For parents, the key question is whether Point Loma's distinctive offerings—smaller class sizes, faith-integrated education, or specific faculty connections—justify accepting earnings uncertainty in an already variable market. With actual outcomes unknown, you're betting on the program's unmeasured strengths to close that gap with higher-performing peers.
Where Point Loma Nazarene University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (67 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43,550 | $38,449* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| $11,075 | $53,136* | $65,655 | $16,718* | 0.31 | |
| $15,265 | $52,339* | $56,452 | $16,250* | 0.31 | |
| $62,326 | $50,712* | — | —* | — | |
| $14,850 | $46,674* | — | $20,500* | 0.44 | |
| $14,965 | $46,447* | $64,574 | $17,000* | 0.37 | |
| 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 Point Loma Nazarene University, approximately 23% 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 median of 23 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.