Mathematics at Transylvania University

A mathematics bachelor's degree commands vastly different returns depending on where you study in Kentucky. While comparable national programs suggest starting earnings around $48,800, the state median sits at just $31,700—a $17,000 gap that reflects Kentucky's more limited opportunities for math graduates. Transylvania's estimated figures align with the national pattern rather than the state floor, which matters given that many graduates leave Kentucky for stronger job markets. The $21,750 in estimated debt creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45, manageable if those national-level earnings materialize.

The challenge is uncertainty. These estimates come from peer institutions because Transylvania's mathematics program produces too few graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. Within Kentucky, you're looking at a wide range—University of Kentucky graduates start around $39,200, while Morehead State sits at $24,300. Where Transylvania falls in that spectrum depends on factors these estimates can't capture: whether graduates pursue high-paying analytics or actuarial roles versus teaching, and whether they stay in Kentucky or relocate.

For families willing to bet on Transylvania's academic reputation translating to outcomes closer to the national median than the Kentucky average, the debt load won't be crushing. But you're making that bet without program-specific data to confirm it, which is inherently riskier than choosing a school where you can see actual graduate outcomes.