Mathematics at Russell Sage College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests manageable loan payments, but the full picture requires acknowledging what we don't know. Russell Sage's small mathematics graduate cohort means the Department of Education suppresses actual outcomes data. Instead, these figures—$45,880 in first-year earnings and $21,697 in debt—reflect what typical New York math programs produce, not necessarily what Russell Sage graduates experience. The estimated earnings align exactly with New York's state median for mathematics bachelor's programs, though they trail the national median by about $3,000.

What's concerning is the competitive landscape. Other New York programs with reported data show a dramatic range: Cornell and RPI graduates earn $80,000-$87,000 in their first year, while even mid-tier options like St. Lawrence reach $58,000. If Russell Sage's actual outcomes fall below the state median used for this estimate, graduates could face a tougher starting position than these numbers suggest. The debt estimate sits near the national median for math programs, which is reasonable, but only if earnings materialize as projected.

Without actual graduate outcomes, you're betting on Russell Sage performing at least as well as the typical New York mathematics program. Given the school's 76% admission rate and the performance gap visible in reported data from peer institutions, that's a significant assumption for a field where starting salary can vary by $40,000 within the same state.