Mathematics at Principia College

A mathematics bachelor's with estimated debt of $17,000 and first-year earnings around $53,000 suggests a manageable financial start, based on what similar Illinois programs report. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is notably lower than the typical math graduate in Illinois (who carries about $21,000) and well below the national median of $21,500. The estimated earnings align with the state median, positioning this program in the middle of Illinois's mathematics offerings—not reaching the elite tier of Chicago or Northwestern, but comparable to solid regional programs.

What complicates the picture is Principia's unique student body: zero Pell grant recipients and a relatively low average SAT score (1096) suggest a homogeneous, potentially financially advantaged population, which may skew outcomes in ways the state estimates can't capture. Mathematics programs tend to produce stable, technical career paths, but without actual graduate data from this specific school, it's difficult to assess whether Principia's approach translates to typical outcomes or something entirely different.

The numbers suggest reasonable value if they hold true—you could feasibly pay off the debt within a year or two of graduation. But recognize you're making this decision on projections from peer schools rather than demonstrated results from Principia itself. If you're considering this program, connect directly with recent graduates about their actual job placements and starting salaries before committing.