Mathematics at SUNY at Fredonia

Based on comparable mathematics programs in New York, this degree suggests a manageable financial scenario—estimated debt of $19,450 against first-year earnings around $46,000 yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates would owe less than half their starting salary. That's better than the national median debt for math degrees ($21,500) and puts total borrowing at a level most graduates could reasonably pay off within a few years.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. While $45,880 aligns with the state median for mathematics bachelor's degrees, it trails the national figure by about $3,000 and sits dramatically below what graduates from Cornell ($87,000) or RPI ($80,000) report earning. This gap likely reflects differences in employer networks, program rigor, and geographic reach rather than the intrinsic value of mathematics training. SUNY Fredonia's 79% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a different student population than these selective institutions.

For parents, the key question is whether this represents good value or missed opportunity. The low debt burden is genuinely advantageous, but if your child has the credentials for more competitive programs, the earnings differential could be substantial—potentially $30,000+ annually. If Fredonia represents an affordable path to a legitimate math degree for a student who might otherwise struggle with admission elsewhere, the numbers work. Just recognize these are estimates from peer programs, not verified outcomes from Fredonia's own graduates.