Applied Mathematics at University of Michigan-Dearborn

A $60,930 starting salary—drawn from national medians for applied mathematics bachelor's programs—against $21,000 in estimated debt suggests a manageable financial picture, though parents should recognize these aren't actual outcomes from University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 means your student would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary, positioning them to potentially clear this debt within a few years if they pursue typical quantitative careers.

What makes this estimate particularly uncertain is the lack of reported data from any of Michigan's 10 applied mathematics programs, meaning we can't verify whether UM-Dearborn's outcomes align with or diverge from state patterns. Applied mathematics programs nationally vary considerably—the 75th percentile reaches $71,670—and factors like internship networks, employer connections in metro Detroit, and whether graduates pursue graduate study all influence actual results. The university's 44% Pell grant population suggests it serves many first-generation and lower-income students, which can correlate with different career trajectories than flagship campuses.

The practical reality: you're evaluating whether to invest in a program where the numbers look reasonable on paper but lack school-specific confirmation. If your student is mathematically strong and committed to quantitative fields, the estimated debt load is low enough that even below-average outcomes wouldn't create crushing burden. However, demand to see concrete placement data—where recent graduates actually work and what they actually earn—before committing.