Mathematics at Winthrop University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests manageable student loans—based on comparable mathematics bachelor's programs nationally, graduates here would owe roughly $21,500 while earning around $49,000 in their first year. That translates to about 44% of first-year income in debt, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals repayment struggles. The four-year earnings figure of $48,932 shows stability rather than dramatic growth, which is typical for math graduates who often see their biggest salary jumps when they move into specialized roles or graduate programs.

What makes this estimate less reassuring than it might appear is the uncertainty around Winthrop's specific outcomes. With an admission rate of 75% and average SAT of 1132, this is an accessible regional university serving a substantial population of first-generation students (39% receive Pell grants). Mathematics programs at schools like USC-Columbia and Clemson—with different student profiles and reputational pull—report similar earnings in the high $40,000s, but that doesn't guarantee Winthrop's math graduates will match those results. Regional job markets, employer recruiting patterns, and program quality all create variation that national estimates can't capture.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable downside risk if the figures hold true. But press the school for concrete placement data: where do their math graduates actually work, and what are they earning? Those specifics matter more than peer-program averages when you're writing the tuition check.