Mathematics at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's mathematics bachelor's degree appears to track closely with typical outcomes across Illinois, where similar programs suggest first-year earnings around $52,600 against debt near $20,600. That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly five months' salary—falls comfortably within manageable territory and actually beats the national median slightly on both debt and earnings fronts.

What's worth understanding is the range within Illinois itself. While elite programs like University of Chicago and Northwestern launch graduates toward six-figure starting salaries, the vast middle of Illinois math programs—from Illinois State to McKendree—clusters in this same $51,000-$53,000 range. SIU-Carbondale appears positioned right in that competitive mid-tier, accessible through a 90% admission rate yet producing outcomes comparable to more selective state schools. For a family weighing affordability against results, this suggests the program delivers solid value without the premium price tag or admission barriers of top-ranked alternatives.

The practical takeaway: based on peer outcomes, a math degree here should generate enough income to handle the debt load comfortably within a few years, assuming your student secures typical employment in the field. The main uncertainty is simply that we don't have this specific program's graduate outcomes—but the convergence of multiple Illinois programs at this earnings level suggests reasonable confidence in the estimate.