Applied Mathematics at University of St Thomas

At $60,930 in estimated first-year earnings, this program appears to track with the national median for applied mathematics degrees—though it's worth noting these figures come from comparable programs nationwide rather than St. Thomas's own graduates. That's roughly $7,000 above what similar programs in Texas typically produce, which could reflect the school's Houston location where energy and tech sectors create demand for quantitative skills. The estimated debt load of $25,000 translates to a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. St. Thomas serves a mix of students (38% on Pell grants, 93% admission rate), and applied math outcomes can vary significantly based on whether graduates land analyst roles in Houston's energy corridor or struggle to gain traction. Peer programs at Texas A&M report actual earnings of nearly $58,000, suggesting the estimated $61,000 figure isn't unreasonable—but without this school's specific track record, you're betting that St. Thomas's smaller program can match larger state universities in employer access and career support. If your child has strong quantitative skills and you're comfortable with moderate debt for a degree that typically opens doors in data analysis and finance, the fundamentals look reasonable—but verify that the school's career outcomes office can provide actual placement data before committing.