Mathematics at Tarleton State University

A debt load under $20,000 for any bachelor's degree is worth paying attention to, and Texas math programs typically deliver first-year earnings right around $50,000—both figures that suggest reasonable economics for this credential. Since Tarleton's actual graduate outcomes aren't published due to small sample sizes, these estimates draw from peer programs across the state, which range from about $53,000 at University of North Texas down to considerably less at smaller regional schools.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates from similar programs can typically manage their loans on a first-year math salary. However, the estimated $49,708 starting point sits at the lower end of what Texas math programs produce—about $10,000 below UT Dallas and roughly half what Southern Methodist grads command. Mathematics degrees often lead to stronger mid-career growth than flashier first-year numbers suggest, particularly for graduates who pursue data science, actuarial work, or teaching positions with steady advancement.

For families prioritizing affordability and reasonable debt, Tarleton's combination looks defensible based on what comparable programs deliver. The bigger question is whether your student will find the career services, internship networks, and academic preparation needed to compete for positions that justify the degree investment—details that small-sample suppression makes impossible to verify from government data alone.