Mathematics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Based on comparable mathematics bachelor's programs across Illinois, SIUE's graduates appear positioned right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $52,600. That puts them modestly ahead of the national figure for math degrees and in line with what Illinois State produces—though well behind the elite private institutions in Chicago. The estimated debt load of roughly $20,600 translates to a manageable 0.39 ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than 40 cents for every dollar earned in year one. For a field where earnings typically grow substantially with experience, that's a reasonable starting point.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer programs rather than actual graduate outcomes from SIUE's specific cohort. The figures suggest a standard trajectory for Illinois public university math graduates, but individual results could vary considerably based on career path—teaching versus actuarial work versus data analysis pays very differently. The school's 97% admission rate and below-average test scores indicate it serves a broad student population, which may mean more variability in outcomes than at selective institutions.

For families comfortable with the inherent uncertainty of estimated data, the numbers suggest a defensible investment: moderate debt paired with earnings that exceed the national math graduate median. Just recognize you're betting on SIUE's program performing similarly to the Illinois public university average, not on verified outcomes specific to this campus.