Mathematics at Skidmore College

Based on comparable mathematics programs in New York, this degree appears positioned near the state median—the estimated $45,880 first-year salary matches exactly what typical NY math programs produce. That's about $3,000 below the national median for the field, though the estimated $21,697 in debt sits close to national norms. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests manageable repayment, with about five months of gross income needed to cover the total borrowed.

The challenge is context. Cornell and RPI mathematics graduates in New York earn nearly double these estimates, while even similar liberal arts institutions like St. Lawrence report substantially higher outcomes. Skidmore's 23% admission rate and 1388 average SAT indicate it draws strong students, yet the peer-program earnings don't reflect the premium you might expect from a selective college. Whether that gap reflects different career paths (academia versus industry), geographic choices, or other factors remains unclear without actual reported data for Skidmore's specific graduates.

For a mathematics major, this estimated picture suggests a serviceable but unspectacular financial start. The debt burden won't be crushing, but the earnings won't provide much cushion either. If your child is considering quantitative finance, data science, or software engineering—fields where math majors often command significantly higher starting salaries—you'll want to investigate whether Skidmore's career services and alumni network actually deliver those placements, since the state-median estimates don't capture program-specific strengths.