Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests manageable financial footing for this mathematics degree, though it's worth noting that both figures come from national medians rather than The College of Idaho's own graduates. With estimated first-year earnings around $49,000 and debt near $22,000, similar programs nationally point toward a bachelor's in mathematics that pays for itself within reasonable time—mathematics graduates typically find diverse employment paths from data analysis to actuarial work to teaching.
Idaho has seven schools offering undergraduate mathematics programs, but none report enough graduates for the Department of Education to publish outcomes data, making it difficult to assess how The College of Idaho specifically compares to its in-state competitors. The school's 47% admission rate and average SAT of 1166 indicate moderate selectivity, which often correlates with stronger career networking and alumni connections that can influence early career outcomes beyond what the degree itself delivers.
Given these estimates align with national benchmarks, parents should treat this as a plausible scenario rather than a guarantee. The real risk isn't the math degree itself—which remains versatile in the job market—but not knowing whether The College of Idaho's small program size reflects limited resources or simply a boutique experience with strong faculty attention. Request employment outcome data directly from the school's career services office to fill in what federal data can't tell you.
Where The College of Idaho Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Mathematics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,030 | $48,772* | — | $21,750* | — | |
| $65,805 | $121,088* | $99,927 | $13,000* | 0.11 | |
| $67,844 | $110,512* | — | $17,750* | 0.16 | |
| $60,156 | $109,288* | $180,882 | $10,003* | 0.09 | |
| $65,739 | $108,255* | $124,017 | $11,617* | 0.11 | |
| $63,946 | $103,812* | $125,955 | $10,000* | 0.10 | |
| 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 The College of Idaho, 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 national median of 253 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.