Analysis
Warren Wilson's mathematics program faces a challenging reality: first-year earnings around $40,888—based on North Carolina's median for math bachelor's programs—fall notably short of the national benchmark of $48,772. That's roughly $8,000 less annually than what math graduates typically earn nationwide, while the estimated $21,750 in debt sits right at national norms. For a field known for strong earnings potential, this gap matters.
The comparison with other NC programs reveals the issue more starkly. Duke math graduates start at $121,088, but even state schools like UNC Chapel Hill ($53,402) and NC State ($43,585) show significantly stronger outcomes. Warren Wilson's selective admissions (78% acceptance, 1290 SAT) and substantial Pell enrollment (37%) suggest a college serving capable students from diverse backgrounds, yet the earnings estimates place it at the bottom tier among North Carolina's math programs.
With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, graduates could expect to carry about half their first-year salary in debt—manageable in theory, but only if those earnings estimates hold true for Warren Wilson specifically. The small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression means we're working with state averages rather than proven outcomes. Parents should recognize they're making this investment decision with limited visibility into whether Warren Wilson's particular program—with its distinctive liberal arts environment and work-college model—translates into math career outcomes matching even the modest state median.
Where Warren Wilson College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (44 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Warren Wilson CollegeSwannanoa | $40,290 | $40,888* | — | $21,750* | — |
 Duke UniversityDurham | $65,805 | $121,088* | $99,927 | $13,000* | 0.11 |
 University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill | $8,989 | $53,402* | $87,301 | $14,500* | 0.27 |
 North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh | $8,895 | $43,585* | — | $21,256* | 0.49 |
 University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte | $7,214 | $42,740* | $57,150 | $25,000* | 0.58 |
 East Carolina UniversityGreenville | $7,361 | $40,888* | $50,943 | $21,500* | 0.53 |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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 Warren Wilson College, approximately 37% 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 median of 9 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.