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

Program Analysis

While the core analytical skills gained in mathematics are incredibly valuable, the earning data for Western Washington's program suggests a distinct career trajectory for its graduates. Unlike some math programs that primarily funnel students into high-paying tech or finance roles, WWU’s strong liberal arts tradition and Bellingham location often lead graduates to different paths. You'll find many alums excelling in secondary education, local government, or research support roles within the Pacific Northwest, where salaries reflect regional economies rather than national averages for data scientists or quants. This doesn't diminish the quality of the education, but highlights a different typical outcome. If your goal is to pursue the highest-paying math-related careers, you’ll need to actively seek out internships with major tech companies in Seattle or beyond, network aggressively, and potentially pursue a master's degree. Consider how your career aspirations align with the typical post-graduation landscape for WWU math majors.

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

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 →