Applied Mathematics at University of Connecticut

UConn's applied mathematics program hits the sweet spot between affordability and outcomes that anxious parents should appreciate. With graduates earning $61,741 right out of the gate and carrying just $26,157 in debt—well below the national median—the program delivers a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's actually in the 10th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning 90% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt.

The earnings themselves are solid if not spectacular, landing in the 60th percentile among Connecticut's applied math programs and slightly above the national median. For context, UConn operates multiple campuses across the state, and this Storrs flagship matches the earnings outcomes you'd see at any of them. While some elite programs push graduates past $70,000 in year one, the combination here is what matters: your child gets respectable starting pay without the crushing debt that often accompanies selective schools.

The practical takeaway? An applied mathematics degree from UConn positions graduates to comfortably manage their loans while building toward higher lifetime earnings—math-intensive careers typically see strong salary growth over time. At a moderately selective state flagship (54% acceptance rate), it's the kind of reliable investment that shouldn't keep you up at night.