Mathematics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers-New Brunswick's mathematics program hits that rare sweet spot: strong starting salaries that get substantially better with experience. First-year graduates earning $55K already outpace 75% of math programs nationally, but the real story is the 42% jump to $78K by year four—suggesting graduates are moving into quantitative roles that reward expertise and experience, not just entry-level positions.

The $23,000 median debt sits right at the state average and below most NJ institutions, making the financial equation straightforward. You're paying typical in-state costs for above-average outcomes. Among New Jersey's 26 math programs, Rutgers-New Brunswick ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while maintaining debt levels that won't constrain career choices. Only NJIT offers meaningfully higher starting pay, and even then Rutgers graduates are catching up quickly by year four.

For a mathematics degree from a selective public research university, this represents solid value without major red flags. The trajectory matters here—graduates aren't just finding jobs, they're building careers with meaningful salary progression. That's what you want from a quantitative degree.