Mathematics at University of Missouri-Columbia

A mathematics degree from Mizzou produces solid earnings that beat the national median by 15%, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. First-year earnings of $56,132 place graduates comfortably above most math programs nationwide, but within Missouri, the program sits in the middle of the pack—behind Washington University's $80k outcomes but well ahead of UM-St. Louis's $32k figure.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $18,500, translating to a 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should be able to manage. However, that debt level is actually slightly higher than both state and national medians for math programs, meaning students here borrow more than typical despite the university's relatively accessible 77% admission rate. For a flagship public university, you might expect lower debt loads.

The small sample size is the critical caveat here—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could dramatically skew these numbers in either direction. If your student is serious about mathematics and committed to Mizzou, the combination of above-average earnings and manageable debt suggests decent value. Just recognize that Washington University math grads start with 42% higher earnings if that's financially accessible, and this program's actual outcomes might vary more than the data suggests.