Mathematics at Westfield State University

In Massachusetts, mathematics degrees produce first-year earnings ranging from around $48,000 to over $110,000 depending on the institution, and Westfield State sits near the lower end of that spectrum. With first-year earnings of $47,922—below both the state median of $61,761 and roughly on par with the national average—this program trails most Massachusetts competitors significantly. The estimated debt of $26,270, based on comparable programs at similar Massachusetts schools, creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, which is manageable but not exceptional given the relatively modest starting salary.

The trajectory shows solid 20% growth to $57,378 by year four, suggesting reasonable career progression for graduates who remain in mathematics-related fields. However, that four-year mark still falls well short of what similar programs across Massachusetts typically produce at the one-year point. For families paying in-state tuition at this accessible public university (81% admission rate, serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students), the value proposition hinges on keeping total costs well below that estimated debt figure—the program works financially if your student can minimize borrowing, but it won't deliver the earning power of peer institutions in the state. If your child is committed to teaching or public sector work where salary differences narrow over time, Westfield may serve them fine; for careers where that initial earnings gap compounds, the program's modest outcomes deserve serious consideration against alternatives.