Mathematics at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth's math program performs an interesting balancing act: it outearns the national average by $7,000 annually, but lands squarely in the middle of Minnesota's competitive math landscape at the 40th percentile. Starting at $55,482 and climbing to nearly $66,000 by year four represents solid earnings growth of 19%, though state flagship Twin Cities and liberal arts colleges like St. Olaf edge ahead slightly. The manageable $23,975 debt burden—below the 30th percentile nationally—means graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.43, making this one of the more financially accessible routes to a math degree.

For Minnesota families, the value proposition centers on accessibility rather than peak earning potential. With an 82% admission rate and costs that won't bury students in debt, Duluth offers a practical path to above-average math career outcomes without the steep price tag of private colleges. The program delivers what matters most: graduates enter stable careers with comfortable debt loads and room for income growth. You're not paying for elite prestige, but you're getting demonstrably stronger results than most math programs nationwide.

The straightforward takeaway: if your child can get into higher-ranked Minnesota programs, the earnings bump might be worth exploring. But for students seeking strong math credentials without financial stress, Duluth's combination of reasonable debt and above-national-average earnings makes it a smart, low-risk choice.