Mathematics at University of San Francisco

A mathematics degree from the University of San Francisco comes with an estimated debt load of $21,750—slightly above the state median—while peer programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $38,449. That's roughly $10,000 below the national median for math graduates and significantly trails the state's top performers, where Cal Poly SLO and the UC schools routinely place graduates earning $45,000-$53,000 in their first year. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 isn't catastrophic, but it reflects a program struggling to match the earning power of comparable California institutions.

The gap matters because mathematics degrees typically lead to quantitative careers where starting salary differences compound quickly. When similar programs at Cal Poly or Berkeley launch graduates $8,000-$15,000 ahead annually, that's not just a first-year disadvantage—it's potentially hundreds of thousands in lifetime earnings. USF's 51% admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest capable students, but something in the outcomes pipeline—whether it's employer perception, career services, or industry connections—isn't translating academic ability into competitive compensation.

Before committing to USF for mathematics, demand concrete placement data directly from the program: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn? The estimated figures suggest this isn't the strongest platform for launching a quantitative career in expensive San Francisco, especially when the state's public universities offer mathematics programs with demonstrably better returns at lower cost.