Mathematics at Towson University

Towson's mathematics graduates start at $56,443—above the national median but exactly matching Maryland's middle-of-the-pack performance for math programs. With $25,000 in debt (significantly higher than the $19,500 Maryland median), this creates a less favorable debt-to-earnings ratio than students might find elsewhere in the state. While earnings grow solidly to $73,315 by year four, that premium debt load means you're paying more upfront than at comparable Maryland programs without gaining the salary advantage you'd see at top-tier options like UMD-College Park or Hopkins.

The numbers suggest decent outcomes—earning in the 78th percentile nationally is respectable—but the state comparison reveals the challenge. When you're paying 28% more in debt than the typical Maryland math graduate while earning the same starting salary, the value calculation shifts. For an accessible state school with an 83% admission rate, that debt premium is harder to justify, especially when nearby UMBC delivers similar first-year earnings with presumably lower in-state costs.

If your child is already Maryland-based and leaning toward Towson for other reasons (location, campus culture, specific program features), these outcomes won't derail their career. But purely on mathematics ROI, this isn't Maryland's strongest play. Consider whether in-state tuition at UMD-College Park or UMBC might deliver better value, or whether Towson's other strengths make that extra $5,500 in debt worthwhile.