Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 based on comparable Applied Mathematics programs suggests manageable repaymentβroughly five months of gross income to cover total borrowing. Similar bachelor's programs nationally point to first-year earnings around $61,000, which translates to monthly loan payments of approximately $280 on a standard 10-year plan, or about 7% of take-home pay. That's within the generally recommended 10% threshold, though it still means starting a career with a notable monthly obligation.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With only 10 schools in Michigan offering Applied Mathematics degrees and no reported outcomes data from any of them, you're making this decision without a clear picture of how Siena Heights graduates specifically fare. Applied Math is a versatile field that can lead to actuarial work, data analysis, operations research, or graduate study, but outcomes depend heavily on internships, additional skills like programming, and the strength of career services. The estimated $25,000 debt burden isn't alarming, but you'd want confidence that Siena Heights provides the connections and preparation to actually reach that $61,000 benchmark.
Before committing, investigate where recent Applied Math graduates landed jobs and whether the curriculum includes in-demand technical skills. The numbers suggest this could work financially, but only if the program delivers the practical preparation that peer institutions provide.
Where Siena Heights University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29,778 | $60,930* | β | $25,421* | β | |
| $59,076 | $114,279* | $166,324 | β* | β | |
| $68,230 | $99,193* | $125,979 | $10,000* | 0.10 | |
| $60,952 | $97,700* | β | $25,841* | 0.26 | |
| $65,997 | $94,684* | β | β* | β | |
| $69,045 | $91,559* | β | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $60,930* | β | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
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 Siena Heights University, approximately 31% 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 national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.