Analysis
The University of San Diego charges roughly $21,750 in debt for a bachelor's in mathematics, but similar programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $38,000—substantially below the $49,000 national median for this degree. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 appears manageable on paper, the gap between what you're paying and what comparable programs deliver becomes harder to justify when you consider the alternatives.
California's top math programs—Cal Poly SLO, UC San Diego, Pomona—place their graduates in the $50,000-plus range right out of the gate, and several public options carry less debt than USD's estimated burden. The private school premium here buys smaller classes and a tight-knit campus, but it doesn't appear to translate into stronger early earnings when measured against peer institutions. Mathematics degrees typically appreciate over time as graduates move into analytics, finance, or tech roles, but that first year matters when you're servicing loans.
If your child is set on USD for fit or other programs, understand that the math degree specifically may underperform financially compared to what's available at California publics or higher-ranked privates. These estimates suggest you'd be paying more for less immediate earning power—a trade worth examining closely before committing.
Where University of San Diego Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (67 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of San DiegoSan Diego | $56,444 | $38,449* | — | $21,750* | — |
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo | $11,075 | $53,136* | $65,655 | $16,718* | 0.31 |
 University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla | $15,265 | $52,339* | $56,452 | $16,250* | 0.31 |
 Pomona CollegeClaremont | $62,326 | $50,712* | — | —* | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $46,674* | — | $20,500* | 0.44 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $46,447* | $64,574 | $17,000* | 0.37 |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of San Diego, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.