Mathematics at University of Chicago

A UChicago mathematics degree commands $100,421 in first-year earnings—nearly double the national median for math majors and $20,000+ above Northwestern, the next highest in Illinois. With just $12,000 in median debt (versus $21,500 nationally), graduates are looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in about six weeks. This level of financial positioning is exceptional by any measure.

The small sample size matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of finance or tech outliers could be skewing these numbers upward. That said, UChicago's 5% admission rate and 1554 average SAT suggest a highly selective student body with strong career networks. The 14% Pell grant rate indicates this outcome applies to a relatively affluent cohort. Four-year earnings growth is modest at 7%, but when you're starting above $100,000, the trajectory matters less than the launchpad.

For families who can navigate UChicago's admissions gauntlet, this represents an elite financial outcome—but verify that your student fits the profile of graduates tracked here. This isn't your typical math degree; it's a springboard into quantitative finance, consulting, or graduate programs where the UChicago brand carries substantial weight.