Mathematics at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,953/yr (-55% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 27.1x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #211 of 253 Mathematics programs

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 $1,076K $1,007K $787K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 29.0x 27.1x 21.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.7x 9.0x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,144
Out-of-state: $111,412 (9.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,720
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,781
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,518
238% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,953/yr fall 55% below the $50,797 national median for Mathematics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 27.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,781 debt-to-$22,953 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #211 out of 253 programs, Western Washington University's financial outcomes for Mathematics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,953 to $77,518 over five years (238% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,574 in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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 Western Washington 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

How does Western Washington University's Mathematics program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Mathematics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Mathematics earnings lower at Western Washington University?
Lower starting pay at Western Washington University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →