Mathematics at Syracuse University

Syracuse University's mathematics program outperforms the typical New York math degree, with graduates earning $53,223 in their first year—about 16% more than the state median of $45,880. That places it in the 60th percentile among New York programs, solidly above average but well below the state's elite performers like Cornell or RPI. More importantly, the $27,000 median debt is higher than both state and national benchmarks, yet remains manageable at just 51% of first-year earnings, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold many financial advisors cite.

The modest 6% earnings growth to year four suggests mathematics graduates here find stable employment quickly rather than experiencing dramatic salary jumps. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these figures could shift significantly with more data. The program's relatively high debt compared to other NY math programs (in the 5th percentile nationally) deserves attention—that extra $7,000 beyond the state median isn't crippling, but it's real money for a mid-tier outcome.

For a family weighing this program: you're paying Syracuse's private school premium for results that beat the state average but don't approach elite New York programs. If your student has access to a SUNY option or significant merit aid elsewhere, run those numbers carefully. Without major scholarship support, this works best for students who value Syracuse's specific campus experience and can afford the debt differential.