Mathematics at University of Vermont

That first-year salary of $30,408 is startlingly low—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally for math graduates—but there's crucial context here. Vermont's math job market appears genuinely weak across the board, with UVM's graduates actually performing at the state's 60th percentile. The real story emerges by year four: earnings more than double to $64,745, suggesting graduates either leave Vermont for better markets or transition into roles that finally utilize their quantitative skills. With debt of $19,000, graduates face manageable payments even during that challenging first year.

The caveat matters: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so one software engineer at a startup or one teacher could skew these numbers significantly. What's clear is that staying in Vermont immediately after graduation with a math degree means accepting below-market compensation—the national median starts at $48,772, nearly 60% higher than what UVM grads initially see.

For families comfortable with geographic flexibility or a slower earnings ramp, this remains financially sound. The debt burden is reasonable, and the four-year earnings trajectory suggests graduates do find their footing. But if your student plans to stay in Vermont and needs strong immediate earnings to justify the investment, understand that Vermont's limited tech and finance sectors create a challenging start for math majors regardless of which state school they choose.