Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 suggests manageable borrowing—based on comparable mathematics programs across Pennsylvania, first-year earnings of $48,800 would give graduates room to handle the estimated $26,000 in debt without overwhelming their budget. That's right in line with what similar Pennsylvania programs produce, and nearly identical to the national median for mathematics bachelor's degrees. The debt load is slightly higher than the national norm but typical for Pennsylvania schools of Susquehanna's type.
What's less clear is whether these figures accurately reflect what Susquehanna's specific graduates achieve. The university's 79% admission rate and mid-range SAT scores (1211) place it in Pennsylvania's competitive middle tier, well below mathematics powerhouses like Villanova (where graduates earn $75,000+) but serving a different student population. Mathematics degrees generally open doors to diverse career paths—from teaching to analytics to actuarial work—where starting salaries can vary significantly based on industry choice.
For families considering this program, the key question is whether Susquehanna provides the specific support—internships, career placement, quantitative skill development—that helps mathematics graduates land higher-paying roles rather than settling for positions at the lower end of the field's salary range. The estimated figures suggest adequate but not exceptional outcomes, making it critical to investigate what actually happens to recent graduates from this specific program.
Where Susquehanna University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (74 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57,400 | $48,800* | — | $25,990* | — | |
| $64,701 | $75,481* | $84,324 | $25,454* | 0.34 | |
| $62,412 | $72,656* | — | —* | — | |
| $60,663 | $70,313* | $81,966 | $30,899* | 0.44 | |
| $22,082 | $59,167* | $54,614 | $22,500* | 0.38 | |
| $47,146 | $49,314* | $62,639 | $26,940* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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). At Susquehanna University, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. 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 12 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.