Mathematics at University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound's mathematics program lands its graduates in a tough first year—with $37,610 in median earnings, this ranks in just the 25th percentile among Washington math programs. That's notably below the state median of $46,585 and well behind nearby Seattle University ($57,551) or UW-Seattle ($46,585). The debt load of $22,000 is reasonable but represents 58% of that first year's salary, which could strain recent graduates during a critical launching period.

The program's defining characteristic is dramatic earnings growth: graduates see an 82% jump by year four, reaching $68,484. This surge pulls them well above both state and national medians for mathematics majors. It appears employers increasingly value these graduates once they've proven themselves, though the question is whether students can weather those initial lean years. With tuition at a selective private school and limited Pell grant students (17%), families should expect to contribute significantly beyond the $22,000 median debt.

For families who can afford the early financial squeeze, this trajectory eventually pays off. But if your student needs strong immediate earnings to manage debt or contribute to household income, Washington's public universities offer better starting salaries at lower cost. The 82% earnings growth is impressive, yet it's a gamble that depends on your family's ability to subsidize those first few years out of college.