Applied Mathematics at Tufts University

A Tufts degree in Applied Mathematics comes with the prestige of a highly selective institution (10% admission rate, 1513 average SAT), but the financial picture based on comparable programs nationally deserves scrutiny. With estimated first-year earnings around $61,000 and debt near $25,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 is manageable on paper. However, this falls dramatically short of what similar programs produce in Massachusetts—the state median sits at $98,000, and even that trails Harvard's $114,000 and Wentworth's $82,000 for applied math graduates.

That gap matters enormously when you're paying for a Tufts education. These national estimates suggest earnings that would be competitive in most states, but in Massachusetts, where comparable programs command much higher salaries, the return looks weak. Whether this reflects different career paths Tufts graduates pursue, geographic choices after graduation, or simply the limitations of the estimate itself is impossible to know without actual program data. The low debt estimate helps—Tufts does meet full demonstrated need—but it doesn't offset the earnings shortfall relative to the state market.

The bottom line: if your child is choosing Tufts for applied mathematics specifically, understand that peer programs in Massachusetts typically deliver 60% higher first-year earnings. That's a substantial difference that compounds over time. Make sure the Tufts network, research opportunities, or specific faculty justify paying premium tuition for below-market earnings in your state.