Mathematics at Wofford College

Drawing from what similar mathematics programs produce nationally, this appears to be a middle-of-the-road investment. At roughly $22,000 in debt against first-year earnings near $49,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 sits comfortably below the concerning threshold of 1.0. That means your graduate could realistically manage loan payments while building financial independence—a crucial consideration given that Wofford serves relatively few low-income students (only 15% receive Pell grants), suggesting most families are paying substantial out-of-pocket costs.

What's striking is how tightly clustered mathematics outcomes are in South Carolina. The state median sits at $48,739, while even top programs like USC ($49,949) and Clemson ($47,529) report earnings within a $2,400 range. This suggests the major itself—not the institution's prestige—drives early career outcomes, which makes sense in a field where technical skills matter more than networking. Wofford's selective profile (SAT averages of 1297) indicates strong students, but you're likely paying private school tuition for returns indistinguishable from state flagships.

The real question becomes cost of attendance. If Wofford's net price after aid mirrors that modest debt figure, it's defensible. But if your family is supplementing with significant savings or parent loans beyond what's captured here, you should scrutinize whether the small-college experience justifies paying more for similar career outcomes. Mathematics degrees are reliably employable, but they don't command premium salaries that would justify premium tuition.