Applied Mathematics at Rochester Institute of Technology

RIT's Applied Mathematics grads start strong—earning $75k right out of college puts them in the 80th percentile among New York programs and well above the state median of $55k. That first-year salary is impressive for an accessible program with a 71% admission rate, and the debt burden is remarkably low at $27k (5th percentile nationally), giving grads real financial breathing room early on.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: salaries drop to $66k by year four, a 12% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means this could reflect a few outliers rather than a systemic issue. It's also worth noting that even at the lower four-year mark, these grads still out-earn most Applied Math graduates in New York.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether that initial salary advantage justifies the uncertainty around long-term growth. The low debt load makes this a relatively safe bet—even if earnings plateau, the debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. If your student thrives in RIT's co-op-heavy environment and can leverage that strong starting salary into the right career path, this program delivers solid value despite the limited data.