Applied Mathematics at Siena College

Siena's applied mathematics program carries estimated debt of $25,421—modestly higher than what similar programs nationally report, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 suggests manageable repayment if the earnings estimate holds. That estimate, drawn from six comparable bachelor's programs across New York, points to first-year earnings around $55,288. This falls short of the national median for applied mathematics degrees by roughly $5,600, which matters when you're paying off even moderate debt.

The New York context is particularly revealing. While top-tier programs like Columbia and RIT produce graduates earning $75,000 to $90,000+ in their first year, and even SUNY schools cluster in the mid-$40,000s to mid-$60,000s, Siena appears positioned in the middle of the state's range. The challenge is that we don't know whether Siena's actual outcomes lean toward the stronger or weaker end of that spectrum—the small graduate cohort means the school's specific track record isn't publicly available.

For a family weighing this investment, the key question is whether Siena's smaller classes and liberal arts environment justify paying private school tuition when larger state universities offer applied mathematics programs at lower cost with known outcomes. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable but not exceptional value. If your child thrives in smaller settings and you can afford the debt load without strain, the program could work—but if finances are tight, public alternatives merit serious consideration given the uncertainty here.