Mathematics at University of Mississippi

A mathematics bachelor's degree typically produces modest starting salaries, and the estimated figures here—$48,772 in first-year earnings against $21,498 in debt—suggest Ole Miss follows that pattern. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is manageable, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. This aligns with what similar math programs produce nationally, where the median debt sits just above $21,500.

The challenge is that these are peer-program estimates rather than actual Ole Miss outcomes, since too few mathematics graduates reported data for the school to publish its own numbers. Mississippi State, the state's flagship competitor, shows similar earnings of $48,084 for its math graduates, which lends some confidence to the estimates. Still, math majors often pursue graduate degrees or pivot into fields like data science or actuarial work where the real earnings growth happens—making that first-year salary less predictive than it would be for more immediately career-focused majors.

If your child plans to go straight into the workforce with just a bachelor's, understand that $49,000 is roughly what entry-level math-related positions pay. If they're planning graduate school or aiming for specialized roles that require additional credentials, factor in those costs and the delayed earnings. The debt load here won't be crushing either way, but mathematics is fundamentally a foundation degree whose value depends heavily on what comes next.