Mathematics at Saint Xavier University

Illinois mathematics programs cluster in a fairly tight range, and based on peer programs across the state, Saint Xavier's estimated first-year earnings of $52,597 land right at the state median. That puts graduates in reasonable financial territory—the estimated debt of $17,084 translates to a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this access-oriented program appears to deliver middle-of-the-pack outcomes without loading graduates with excessive debt.

The challenge is understanding what you're actually buying. Similar programs in Illinois produce everything from $51,000 to $100,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting that institutional reputation, Chicago connections, or graduate school placement drive much of the variance. Saint Xavier's 86% admission rate and commuter-focused environment create a very different experience than Northwestern or University of Chicago, even if the immediate post-graduation numbers from comparable programs look similar.

For a math major planning to teach, pursue graduate study, or enter data analysis roles where the bachelor's degree is the first credential rather than the terminal one, the estimated debt burden here won't derail those plans. But if your child is choosing between Saint Xavier and schools with stronger quantitative recruiting pipelines or research opportunities, the limited cohort size that prevents actual outcome reporting might itself be telling—you want evidence this specific program places graduates effectively, not just reassurance that other Illinois math programs do.