Mathematics at University of West Alabama

A $20,000 debt load for a mathematics bachelor's degree positions this program reasonably well against both state and national benchmarks. Peer programs in Alabama carry a median debt of $20,000, while the national median sits slightly higher at $21,500. Combined with first-year earnings that similar Alabama mathematics programs suggest will reach around $45,500, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44—meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable territory for a STEM field, particularly at a regional public university where over half the students qualify for Pell grants.

The earnings story is more nuanced. While $45,500 tracks with Alabama's state median for mathematics programs, it falls about $3,300 short of the national median. More telling is the variation among Alabama schools: Athens State mathematics grads report earning $57,600 in their first year—nearly $12,000 more than what comparable programs suggest here. That gap matters when you're weighing options within the state. Mathematics degrees typically command decent starting salaries, but location, career services support, and alumni networks create meaningful differences in outcomes.

For families prioritizing access and affordability, the estimated debt burden here won't be crushing. But if your child can gain admission to Athens State or UAB, the earnings premium at those programs could justify exploring those options first, even if initial costs run slightly higher.