Mathematics at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's mathematics program reports earnings significantly below what math majors typically command—$34,624 versus a national median of $48,772. That's a $14,000 gap that persists even when compared to Nevada's in-state alternatives, where the state median sits at $40,494. University of Nevada-Reno math grads, for instance, start at $46,365. While UNLV serves a higher proportion of working-class students (40% on Pell grants), that doesn't fully explain finishing in just the 5th percentile nationally for a field that usually delivers strong financial returns.

The debt burden here is actually manageable at $24,853, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72—better than many programs. The real concern isn't excessive borrowing but rather why mathematics graduates from this campus aren't securing the higher-paying positions that typically draw students to STEM fields. Whether that reflects local job market dynamics in Las Vegas, differences in curriculum emphasis, or career services support isn't clear from the data.

Before committing, recognize these figures come from a small sample of recent graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. If your student is set on UNLV for location or affordability reasons, they'll need to be aggressive about internships and job placement to avoid replicating these below-market outcomes. For families with flexibility, comparing Nevada's other math programs would be prudent.