Program Analysis
At $57,166 per year, Mathematics graduates from Macalester College earn slightly above the $50,797 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 18% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $23,745 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #186 of 253 Mathematics programs, Macalester College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $57,166 to $75,713 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.