Mathematics at State University of New York at Oswego

A mathematics bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego appears to carry more debt than typical for the field, which merits careful consideration. The $27,000 in borrowing sits well above both the state median ($20,005) and national median ($21,500) for math programs. While similar New York programs suggest first-year earnings around $45,880—close to the national median—that additional debt means graduates would dedicate a larger share of early paychecks to loan repayment than peers at other schools.

The 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on its face, but context matters. Other math graduates in New York typically start with less debt while earning similar amounts, giving them more breathing room financially. The gap becomes starker when you look at top programs: Cornell and RPI graduates earn nearly double these estimated figures, though those are highly selective institutions with different student profiles. Even among more comparable schools, SUNY Oswego's debt load appears elevated.

For families considering this program, the central question is whether Oswego's specific strengths—perhaps smaller class sizes, particular faculty, or location preferences—justify entering the workforce with roughly $7,000 more in debt than the typical New York math graduate. That difference compounds over the repayment period. If cost is a primary concern, exploring whether other SUNY campuses or state universities offer similar programs with lower borrowing might be worthwhile.