Mathematics at Stetson University

A mathematics bachelor's degree in Florida typically leads to first-year earnings around $46,000, which puts Stetson's estimated outcome right at the state median—though notably behind the state's flagship programs where math graduates from UF, FSU, and UCF start in the $46,000-$51,000 range. The estimated $21,750 in debt sits slightly above Florida's typical $20,000 for math programs, likely reflecting Stetson's private university premium. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, graduates would need roughly half their first-year salary to cover debt—manageable but not exceptional for a field known for solid career prospects.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because both figures are estimates—earnings drawn from eight Florida math programs and debt from national peer institutions—we can't know how Stetson's specific outcomes compare to its in-state competition. Mathematics degrees generally offer strong long-term earnings growth, and the field's versatility (finance, tech, analytics, teaching) provides multiple career pathways. But at an 86% admission rate with mid-range SAT scores, Stetson may not attract the same caliber of recruiters or graduate school opportunities as Florida's research universities.

For parents, this means weighing Stetson's smaller class sizes and personalized attention against paying slightly more debt for what peer programs suggest will be middle-of-the-pack Florida outcomes. If your child thrives in intimate academic settings and plans to leverage the math degree into graduate school or a specific career track, the investment could work. If they're primarily credential-focused, Florida's public universities offer comparable estimated returns with less debt exposure.