Est. Earnings (1yr)
$44,136
Est. from LA median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,498
Est. from national median (201 programs)

Analysis

Based on similar bachelor's programs in Louisiana, mathematics graduates in the state earn around $44,000 in their first year—a figure that lags the national median of $48,772 for this major by about $5,000. The estimated debt load of $21,500 sits right at the national median, though it's notably higher than Louisiana's typical $15,000 for math programs. This puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.49, meaning graduates would owe roughly half a year's salary—manageable territory that suggests the degree could pay for itself within a few years of steady work.

The challenge here is the uncertainty. Since Southern University Law Center's actual outcomes aren't reported (likely due to small class sizes in this program), we're extrapolating from other Louisiana math programs. The state's range is wide: Tulane graduates start around $56,000 while UL Lafayette grads begin closer to $42,000. Where this specific program lands within that spectrum matters enormously for return on investment.

For an anxious parent, the question becomes whether you're comfortable with educated guesswork. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value—debt that's not crushing paired with earnings that, while modest, align with state norms. But without knowing this program's actual track record, you're essentially betting that it performs like the average Louisiana math degree. If your student has options with transparent outcomes data, those might offer more certainty about what you're paying for.

Where Southern University Law Center Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southern University Law CenterBaton Rouge$44,136*$21,498*
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans$65,538$55,916*$14,957*0.27
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,954$44,136*$56,090$15,000*0.34
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$42,475*$24,200*0.57
National Median$48,772*$21,500*0.44
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Mathematicians

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other

All mathematical scientists not listed separately.

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). 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 median of 3 similar programs in LA. Actual outcomes may vary.