Applied Mathematics at Utah Valley University

A bachelor's in Applied Mathematics at Utah Valley University comes with estimated first-year earnings around $61,000 and debt near $21,000—figures drawn from similar programs nationally since this specific program's graduate pool is too small for the Department of Education to publish. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests graduates could reasonably manage their loans, with debt totaling roughly four months of first-year salary. Applied math degrees typically offer strong quantitative skills that translate well across industries, from tech to finance to engineering.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only five schools in Utah offering this degree and no reported outcomes data available for comparison, it's difficult to know whether UVU's specific curriculum, internship connections, or regional employer relationships deliver results that match these national benchmarks. The estimated $61,000 aligns with the national median for applied math programs, but actual outcomes could vary significantly based on whether graduates land analyst positions at tech companies versus entry-level roles requiring further specialization.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable—manageable debt for a quantitative degree with broad applications. However, you'll want to dig into what UVU graduates actually do after completing this program: where they work, whether they pursue graduate school, and how quickly they advance. The absence of school-specific data isn't a red flag, but it does mean you're betting on national trends rather than demonstrated local outcomes.