Mathematics at Southeastern Louisiana University

A $21,500 debt load for a mathematics degree might look reasonable at first glance—it's right at the national median for math programs—but the earnings picture based on comparable Louisiana programs suggests tighter margins than many families expect. Similar bachelor's-level math programs in the state typically produce first-year earnings around $44,000, which sits about $5,000 below the national median and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio that's workable but not generous.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual because mathematics degrees can lead to vastly different outcomes depending on what students do with them. Teaching positions, actuarial work, data analysis, and graduate school all start from different financial baselines. Louisiana's math programs show this range clearly: Tulane grads average $56,000 in their first year while comparable programs cluster closer to $42,000-$44,000. Without program-specific data, it's difficult to know where Southeastern's graduates land within that spectrum or what proportion pursue higher-paying technical roles versus education.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether your student has a clear path from a math degree to employment that justifies even moderate debt. If they're planning graduate work in a STEM field or have internship connections to analytics or finance, this program could serve as an affordable foundation. If the career plan is vague or teaching-focused, the debt—though manageable—leaves little cushion for the starting salaries those paths typically offer in Louisiana.