Applied Mathematics at University of Saint Mary

A $25,000 debt load for a bachelor's in applied mathematics—estimated from similar private institutions nationally—hits a sweet spot that many STEM programs miss. With comparable programs producing first-year earnings around $60,900, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests graduates could reasonably pay off their loans within a few years while building financial stability. For context, applied math sits in the middle tier nationally; while top-quartile programs see graduates earning over $71,000 in year one, University of Saint Mary's estimated outcomes track closely with the national median.

The real question is whether this small program—so small the Department of Education can't report actual graduate outcomes—can deliver the same career network and recruiting pipelines that larger programs provide. Applied mathematics majors typically find work in data analysis, actuarial science, or software development, fields where employer relationships and internship connections matter enormously. With a 90% admission rate and modest test scores, Saint Mary serves a different population than flagship universities, which could mean either more personalized attention or fewer corporate recruiting visits.

If your child thrives in smaller settings and you're comfortable with the inherent uncertainty of a program without track record data, the estimated financial picture isn't alarming. But press the school hard on job placement specifics: where do graduates actually land, and which companies recruit on campus?