Applied Mathematics at Texas State University

Texas State's applied mathematics program lands solidly in the middle of Texas options but trails the national field, with first-year earnings of $49,822 placing it at the 40th percentile statewide and just the 20th percentile nationally. That gap—about $11,000 below the national median—matters when you're competing for quantitative jobs against graduates from stronger programs. The positive side? Debt here is exceptionally manageable at $28,409, well below both state and national norms, giving graduates breathing room that many math majors don't get.

The earnings trajectory shows decent promise, with a 32% jump to $65,973 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in analytics, tech, or related fields. Still, even at that four-year mark, they're not catching peers from stronger programs like Texas A&M, where graduates start $8,000 higher. The 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable but not exceptional for a technical degree.

For a student considering this program, the calculus is straightforward: you're trading some earning potential for accessibility and lower debt. If your child can gain admission to more competitive programs—especially UT Austin or Texas A&M—the higher starting salaries likely justify the extra effort. But if Texas State represents the realistic option and your family is debt-averse, the low borrowing levels provide a legitimate safety net while still opening doors to quantitative careers.