Mathematics at Washington and Lee University

At an estimated $21,750 in debt with first-year earnings around $57,271, Washington and Lee's mathematics program appears positioned competitively among Virginia's stronger programs. The debt load sits below Virginia's typical $23,250, while earnings from comparable programs in the state match exactly what graduates from UVA, William & Mary, and similar institutions report—substantially above the $48,772 national median for math degrees. The 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, with debt representing less than five months of gross income.

The challenge is that Washington and Lee's highly selective admissions (17% acceptance, 1504 average SAT) draw students who would likely excel anywhere. These estimated figures from peer programs don't tell you whether it's the school or the student driving outcomes. Given only 11% of students receive Pell grants, most families here can likely absorb college costs regardless of post-graduation earnings, which matters when you're comparing a $60,000+ private school tuition to state universities producing similar earnings.

The math works on paper—debt is reasonable and earnings competitive with Virginia's best public universities. But you're paying a substantial premium for an outcome that peer programs suggest mirrors what strong students achieve at JMU or Virginia Tech. If your child has the credentials for Washington and Lee, they likely have full-ride offers elsewhere that would produce comparable career results with far less family financial strain.