Applied Mathematics at Whitman College

Applied mathematics graduates from comparable programs nationwide earn a median of $60,930 in their first year—a figure that suggests strong initial career prospects. Whitman's estimated $25,421 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their education debt. That's manageable by most standards, particularly for a selective liberal arts college with strong academic credentials.

The wrinkle here is Washington state itself. The state median for applied mathematics bachelor's programs sits at just $27,626—less than half the national figure—with Washington State University's graduates reporting exactly that amount. This disconnect raises questions about whether Whitman's outcomes align more closely with national patterns or state realities. Given the college's 1365 average SAT score and national liberal arts reputation, its graduates may well access broader job markets or pursue graduate education at higher rates than typical Washington programs. But without actual reported data for Whitman specifically, you're making an educated guess based on peer institutions elsewhere.

The practical question: Are you comfortable betting on your child outperforming local benchmarks by a factor of two? If they stay in Washington and follow typical state employment patterns, that debt could become considerably less comfortable. The program's estimation from national data suggests potential, but verify what recent Whitman mathematics graduates actually do after graduation.