Mathematics at Saint Michael's College

A bachelor's in mathematics from Saint Michael's College carries an estimated $21,750 in debt—slightly above the national median for math programs—while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $48,772. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is manageable by most standards, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first year's salary. However, the Vermont market tells a different story: the state's only program with reported data shows math graduates earning just $30,408, which would make that debt load considerably heavier in practice.

The challenge here is reconciling national expectations with local reality. If your child plans to stay in Vermont or target regional employers, similar programs in the state suggest earnings nearly $18,000 below the national figure used in these estimates. That gap matters significantly when you're making monthly loan payments. The math only works if graduates are willing and able to pursue opportunities outside Vermont's tighter job market.

Saint Michael's 92% admission rate and modest selectivity suggest this isn't a program drawing Wall Street quant recruiters or Silicon Valley tech firms. For a student committed to teaching, actuarial work, or data analysis roles that value the degree's analytical training, the debt level is reasonable—but only if they're geographically flexible. If staying close to home is the plan, those Vermont earnings figures deserve serious weight in your decision.