Mathematics at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,597/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #108 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mathematics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $628K $612K $540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.5x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.4x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,750
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,120
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,597/yr, roughly in line with the $50,797 national median for Mathematics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Mathematics's typical career paths, with 65% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $52,597 far exceeding the $19,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #108 of 253 Mathematics programs, Illinois State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $52,597 to $65,120 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 18,414 in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mathematics at Illinois State University?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Mathematics field.
Will AI replace Mathematics careers?
With 65% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $540,035 in decade earnings vs $627,629 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →