Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,409
22nd percentile (60th in AR)
Median Debt
$16,500
23% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.40
Manageable
Sample Size
17
Limited data

Analysis

University of Arkansas math graduates start at $41,409—below the national median but right in line with what other Arkansas math programs deliver, ranking 60th percentile in the state. The modest $16,500 debt load creates a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaningfully lower than both the national and state median debt for this degree. That's important in Arkansas, where earning $41,000 fresh out of college actually represents solid positioning for the state's economy.

The trajectory looks promising: earnings jump 52% to $63,050 by year four, suggesting these graduates successfully transition into analyst, actuarial, or technical roles. While the first-year number trails the national average by about $7,000, the combination of low debt and strong growth mitigates that gap. For Arkansas families, paying roughly $3,000 less in debt than typical in-state peers while achieving middle-of-the-pack earnings creates reasonable value.

The catch here matters: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary widely. One or two high earners or career changers can skew these numbers. If your child is genuinely committed to mathematics and likely to pursue quantitative careers, the fundamentals work—affordable debt and respectable state-level earnings. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited outcome data from this specific program.

Where University of Arkansas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally

University of ArkansasOther mathematics programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Arkansas graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Arkansas graduates earn $41k, placing them in the 22th percentile of all mathematics bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (17 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Arkansas$41,409$63,050$16,5000.40
University of Central Arkansas$40,993—$16,7110.41
Arkansas State University$32,625$39,009$20,5000.63
National Median$48,772—$21,5000.44

Other Mathematics Programs in Arkansas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arkansas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Central Arkansas
Conway
$10,118$40,993$16,711
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro
$7,754$32,625$20,500

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Arkansas, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.