Mathematics at Saginaw Valley State University

With estimated debt of $25,125—about $3,600 above the national median for math programs—and first-year earnings around $48,000, the numbers here land squarely in the middle of what's typical for Michigan bachelor's degrees in mathematics. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that similar programs in Michigan range dramatically, from Grand Valley's $45,000 median to Michigan's $80,000-plus. This program appears to track with the state average rather than outperforming it.

The challenge is uncertainty. These estimates come from just three math programs statewide for earnings and six similar programs at comparable Michigan schools for debt. That's a thin basis for projection, especially when outcomes within the state vary so widely. Math degrees typically offer strong fundamentals for careers in teaching, actuarial work, data analysis, or graduate school, but the specific network, internship opportunities, and curriculum at Saginaw Valley—factors that drive those wildly different outcomes at peer schools—remain opaque without actual graduate data.

Given the modest debt load and the field's flexibility, this isn't a red-flag investment. But parents should recognize they're betting on approximate figures drawn from a small sample. If your child has admission offers from Michigan State or Grand Valley (where actual outcomes are reported), those might offer clearer pictures of what to expect.