Mathematics at Villanova University

Villanova's mathematics graduates out-earn their Pennsylvania peers by more than 50%, placing them alongside elite schools like Swarthmore while carrying significantly less debt than the typical Pennsylvania math major. With first-year earnings of $75,481—more than $26,000 above the state median—these graduates are securing quantitative roles that justify the university's selective admissions and price tag.

The debt picture makes this premium particularly manageable. At $25,454, graduates owe roughly what the typical Pennsylvania math student carries, but they're earning at the 95th percentile. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross salary. Combined with steady 12% earnings growth through year four, this represents one of the strongest return profiles available for mathematics degrees in the state.

The data here comes from a moderate sample size, so individual outcomes will vary, but the pattern is clear: Villanova's math program reliably places graduates into high-paying quantitative careers—likely in finance, tech, and analytics roles concentrated in the Philadelphia-New York corridor. For families who can manage the upfront cost, the mathematics degree delivers both immediate earning power and solid trajectory.