Mathematics at University of Pennsylvania

Penn's elite brand doesn't translate to strong estimated first-year outcomes for its math graduates. Based on comparable Pennsylvania programs, first-year earnings of $48,800 sit right at the state median—and well below what peer institutions like Villanova ($75,481) and Swarthmore ($72,656) achieve. With an admission rate of 6% and average SAT scores of 1545, you'd expect this program to dramatically outperform state averages, not match them.

The estimated debt of $26,000 produces a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would need about half a year's salary to cover what they borrowed. That's workable but unremarkable. What's puzzling is why a school that attracts such exceptional students—and charges accordingly—would produce math outcomes that mirror far less selective state programs. Mathematics majors often pursue graduate school or transition into fields like finance or tech where earnings quickly escalate, so these first-year figures may understate long-term value.

The bottom line: these estimated figures suggest you're paying Ivy League prices without getting Ivy League math outcomes, at least initially. If your child is choosing Penn's math program specifically for its academic prestige or particular faculty, understand that the immediate financial return appears average. The small sample size that triggered data suppression here means we're working with limited information about this specific program's track record.