Mathematics at University of Memphis

University of Memphis math graduates earn $57,310 a year out, placing them well above both the national median ($48,772) and Tennessee's state average ($51,247). While small sample sizes mean these figures could shift with more data, the program currently outperforms roughly 80% of math programs nationwide—impressive for a school with a 93% admission rate. The debt load of $24,125 is slightly higher than state norms but translates to a manageable 0.42 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe.

What's striking is how this program competes within Tennessee. It trails only Vanderbilt's elite math program (which produces graduates earning over $100K) while substantially outpacing Tennessee's flagship in Knoxville. For families choosing between UT-Knoxville and Memphis, that's nearly $18,000 more per year in favor of Memphis—at least based on current graduate outcomes.

The caveat matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few unusually high or low earners can skew the picture. But if your student is considering math at an accessible Tennessee public university, Memphis demonstrates strong placement results without the debt burden or competitive admission hurdles of more selective schools. It's worth a serious look, particularly for students who might struggle to gain admission elsewhere.