Mathematics at The University of the South

A Mathematics bachelor's from The University of the South carries an estimated $21,750 in debt—slightly above Tennessee's median but manageable relative to what peer programs nationally report. The real question is whether the estimated first-year earnings of around $51,000 justify the investment at a selective liberal arts college with a modest 15% Pell Grant population.

Based on comparable Tennessee math programs, that $51,000 figure sits right at the state median, comfortably above the national benchmark of $48,772. The 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably handle repayment, though it's worth noting the enormous range within Tennessee itself—from University of Memphis grads earning $57,000 to UT-Knoxville's surprisingly lower $39,000. Where Sewanee's actual graduates fall within that spectrum remains unclear given the limited data.

The practical challenge: you're paying for a selective residential experience (average SAT of 1336) while the estimated math outcomes suggest middle-of-the-pack returns for Tennessee. If your child is considering graduate school or careers where the liberal arts network matters, Sewanee's environment might add value beyond these figures. But if the goal is purely maximizing early math career earnings, the estimates here don't show a clear advantage over larger state programs that might cost significantly less.