Analysis
With peer programs nationally producing first-year earnings around $61,000 and estimated debt of $25,400, Wabash's Applied Mathematics bachelor's appears positioned in the mid-range for this credential. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests graduates from comparable programs typically earn enough to manage their loans comfortably—well below the 1.0 threshold where debt equals a full year's salary. Applied mathematics is a quantitatively strong field, and these estimated figures align with what you'd expect from a solid liberal arts college in Indiana.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With only 44 programs nationally reporting earnings data and just 8 reporting debt figures at similar institutions, we're working with a limited picture of what Wabash graduates specifically experience. The college's 63% admission rate and average SAT of 1210 suggest it's reasonably selective but not elite, which could mean outcomes vary more by individual student preparation and career path than at more uniform programs. Indiana has 10 schools offering applied mathematics degrees, but none have publicly reported outcome data, making state-level comparisons impossible.
For families considering this investment, the estimated numbers suggest workable economics if your student pursues the quantitative career paths this degree opens—data science, actuarial work, operations research. But given the small cohorts and suppressed data, talking directly with Wabash's math department about recent graduate placements would provide the concrete outcomes these estimates can't.
Where Wabash College 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
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49,125 | $60,930* | — | $25,421* | — | |
| $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 Wabash College, approximately 23% 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.