Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 is what you want to see—manageable debt paired with solid earning potential. Based on comparable Applied Mathematics bachelor's programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $61,000 in their first year with roughly $21,000 in debt. That's a strong foundation for financial independence, though remember these figures reflect peer programs rather than University of Utah's specific outcomes.
Applied Mathematics sits in a sweet spot: it's rigorous enough to open doors in tech, finance, and data science, but practical enough to translate into immediate employment. The estimated earnings place this squarely at the national median for the field, which is reasonable given Utah's tech corridor continues to expand around Salt Lake City. For context, top-performing programs nationally push past $71,000 in first-year earnings, but the difference isn't dramatic enough to suggest this path lacks value.
The University of Utah's 87% admission rate means your child can likely get in, but the real question is whether they're prepared for the mathematical rigor. If they have strong quantitative skills and interest in computational problem-solving, this estimated financial picture suggests a worthwhile investment—the debt burden is modest relative to what similar programs produce in earnings, even if we're working with approximations rather than school-specific data.
Where University of Utah Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,315 | $60,930* | — | $21,000* | — | |
| $59,076 | $114,279* | $166,324 | —* | — | |
| $68,230 | $99,193* | $125,979 | $10,000* | 0.10 | |
| $60,952 | $97,700* | — | $25,841* | 0.26 | |
| $65,997 | $94,684* | — | —* | — | |
| $69,045 | $91,559* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $60,930* | — | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
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 Utah, approximately 20% 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 national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.