Mathematics at University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas graduates in mathematics with notably modest debt—about $5,000 less than the national median—but earnings lag significantly behind the typical math major nationwide. At roughly $41,000 in the first year, graduates earn about $8,000 less than their national peers, placing this program in just the 21st percentile nationally. The debt burden is manageable with a 0.41 ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, but the tradeoff is considerably lower earning potential than most math programs deliver.

Within Arkansas, the picture changes somewhat. This program sits at the state median for both earnings and debt, and actually edges out Arkansas State by nearly $8,500 while roughly matching the University of Arkansas flagship. For families committed to staying in-state, UCA offers an accessible mathematics education (90% admission rate) at a reasonable price point. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could swing considerably year to year.

The core question is whether lower debt justifies substantially lower earnings. Mathematics degrees typically command strong salaries, so finishing in the bottom quarter nationally warrants attention. If your student is considering graduate school where the undergraduate institution matters less, the low debt load becomes more attractive. But for those entering the workforce directly, the earnings gap may prove harder to overcome than the debt savings provide.