Analysis
Pennsylvania's mathematics bachelor's programs show considerable variation, with top earners at Villanova and Swarthmore pulling down over $70,000 in their first year while typical programs—including what comparable institutions suggest for Saint Joseph's—hover around $49,000. That estimated first-year salary aligns almost exactly with both state and national medians, placing graduates in the middle of the pack rather than competing with the state's elite math programs. For a school with an 86% admission rate and relatively modest selectivity metrics, this represents a solid but unexceptional outcome.
The estimated $26,000 in debt sits near Pennsylvania's typical burden for math majors and slightly above the national median. With a 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates would need roughly half their first year's salary to cover what they borrowed—manageable by most standards, though hardly exceptional. Similar programs in Pennsylvania suggest this debt load is standard for private institutions in the state, reflecting Saint Joseph's tuition structure rather than program-specific concerns.
What you're looking at is a mathematics degree that appears to deliver middle-of-the-road results: not the earnings premium of a Villanova or Drexel, but likely more stable than programs at the lower end of Pennsylvania's range. If your student is choosing Saint Joseph's for campus culture or other factors, the math program shouldn't derail those plans. But if they're specifically chasing mathematical career outcomes, the state offers demonstrably stronger options at both public and private institutions.
Where Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (74 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51,340 | $48,800* | — | $25,990* | — | |
| $64,701 | $75,481* | $84,324 | $25,454* | 0.34 | |
| $62,412 | $72,656* | — | —* | — | |
| $60,663 | $70,313* | $81,966 | $30,899* | 0.44 | |
| $22,082 | $59,167* | $54,614 | $22,500* | 0.38 | |
| $47,146 | $49,314* | $62,639 | $26,940* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.