Analysis
A selective private university charging roughly $25,000 in debt for a math-intensive bachelor's degree creates an interesting calculation. University of Miami admits fewer than one in five applicants and serves predominantly affluent students, yet the estimated debt burden here—derived from similar private institutions nationally—sits above the national median for applied mathematics programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover what they borrowed, assuming peer program outcomes hold here.
The $60,930 first-year earnings figure comes from national benchmarks across nearly 300 applied mathematics programs. That's respectable for a recent graduate, though it leaves Miami's program in the middle of the pack rather than at the premium you might expect from a highly selective institution. With only seven schools offering this major in Florida and none reporting comparable data publicly, it's difficult to assess whether Miami's specific outcomes justify attending here versus a state university.
For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Miami's academic environment and networking advantages materialize into faster salary growth than the estimates suggest. The debt level won't sink anyone, but you're not seeing the kind of immediate earnings that would make this an obvious financial win based on comparable programs elsewhere.
Where University of Miami Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,926 | $60,930* | — | $25,421* | — | |
| $59,076 | $114,279* | $166,324 | —* | — | |
| $68,230 | $99,193* | $125,979 | $10,000* | 0.10 | |
| $60,952 | $97,700* | — | $25,841* | 0.26 | |
| $65,997 | $94,684* | — | —* | — | |
| $69,045 | $91,559* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $60,930* | — | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
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 Miami, approximately 15% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.