Mathematics at Shawnee State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests manageable financial positioning—similar mathematics programs across Ohio typically result in graduates owing less than half their first-year salary. With estimated debt around $20,625 and first-year earnings near $49,228, this program appears to track closely with state and national norms for math bachelor's degrees. The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here; Shawnee State's actual graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to report outcomes publicly.

What peer programs in Ohio demonstrate is considerable variation in early career results. Top performers like Kent State and Ohio State place their math graduates at $52,000-$54,000 annually, while the state median sits at $49,228. Without knowing where Shawnee State specifically falls within this range, you're essentially betting that their program performs at least at the state average. For a field like mathematics—which generally offers stable career prospects across different institutions—this isn't an unreasonable assumption, but it is an assumption.

The practical consideration: if your student can complete this degree near the estimated $20,625 debt level and has strong career plans for their math background (teaching, data analysis, actuarial work), the fundamentals look sound. But if debt climbs significantly higher or they're uncertain about their post-graduation path, the lack of program-specific outcomes makes it harder to assess risk confidently.