Mathematics at The University of Alabama

Alabama's math graduates start below both national and state medians—earning $44,857 versus $48,772 nationally and $45,494 statewide—but the trajectory tells a more optimistic story. Within four years, earnings jump 35% to over $60,000, eventually surpassing what most Alabama math programs deliver at any timeframe. The $20,000 debt load matches the state median and sits comfortably below the national average, creating a reasonable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio that new graduates can manage.

The catch: these numbers come from a small sample (under 30 graduates), which means individual career choices heavily influence the averages. One graduate landing a lucrative data science role can skew the entire picture upward; conversely, a few teachers or grad students can pull it down. Athens State's grads do earn more initially, but Alabama's stronger four-year growth suggests career advancement opportunities that may not show up in first-year paychecks.

For a flagship university with a 76% admission rate, this represents accessible education that doesn't leave graduates drowning in debt. If your child plans to pursue quantitative careers in finance, analytics, or tech—where earnings accelerate after entry-level roles—the growth pattern here makes sense. Just recognize these numbers might shift significantly year-to-year given the small cohort size.