Mathematics at Southwestern Adventist University

Texas mathematics programs produce wildly different outcomes, with SMU graduates earning $75,000 compared to the state median of roughly $50,000. Based on comparable programs across Texas, Southwestern Adventist graduates likely start near that median—around $49,700—with estimated debt of $21,750. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning repayment within a year's salary is mathematically feasible, though tighter than the 0.40 benchmark many financial advisors recommend.

The challenge here is that you're working with estimates derived from peer institutions rather than actual outcomes from Southwestern Adventist's math program. Similar bachelor's programs in Texas suggest this earning potential, but the school's selectivity (56% admission rate, 1031 average SAT) and the fact that 39% of students receive Pell grants indicate a different student population than flagship universities. Mathematics degrees can lead anywhere from teaching to data analysis to actuarial work, and the school's specific curriculum, career placement support, and alumni network matter enormously for first-year outcomes.

If your child is passionate about mathematics and values the Adventist environment, this debt level won't derail their future. But press the admissions office for concrete placement data: where do their math graduates actually work, and what are they earning? Without that specificity, you're betting on state averages rather than this program's particular strengths.