Mathematicsat Swarthmore College
Graduates earn $72,656/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,307K; scenarios range from $973K to $1,415K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Swarthmore College
Your Swarthmore Mathematics degree is exceptionally well-regarded, signifying a rigorous education in abstract problem-solving and critical thinking that extends far beyond rote calculation. This deep theoretical foundation, characteristic of an elite liberal arts institution, makes you highly adaptable for diverse, high-value careers. Employers in quantitative finance, tech development, strategic consulting, and data science fields actively seek Swarthmore graduates for their analytical prowess, often placing them in roles focused on modeling complex systems and developing innovative solutions, rather than just executing routine tasks.
While the "Very High" AI risk might seem concerning, for a Swarthmore math graduate, it underscores the need to lean into the *creative* and *conceptual* aspects of the discipline. Your education prepares you to be a designer and architect of AI systems, or to tackle problems so nuanced they require human ingenuity, not merely to be replaced by automation. Leverage your strong interdisciplinary options to pair math with computer science, economics, or even philosophy, ensuring your skills remain at the forefront of innovation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Swarthmore College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Mathematics
How Swarthmore College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Swarthmore College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Swarthmore College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mathematics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Mathematics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Mathematics at Swarthmore College
How does Swarthmore College's Mathematics program score?
This program scores 66/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.
How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Swarthmore College rank so high for Mathematics?
The #50 ranking out of 253 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Mathematics at Swarthmore College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $249,648, but the average net cost is $74,744 — a 70% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.