College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Statistics

Share

Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Statistics.

Entry Level Salary
$58,310
Median Salary
$114,538
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
19.3%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $4,581,520
Entry (Early)
$58,310
Median (Prime)
$114,538
High (Prime)
$114,538

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+66k
+522k
+522k
$25k / yr
-24k
+432k
+432k
$50k / yr
-114k
+342k
+342k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
35
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
27
27
$50k / yr
Never
31
31

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
$25k / yr
-22%
397%
397%
$50k / yr
-52%
157%
157%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate47.2%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.

Top Professions

Mathematical science occupations

14.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$104,620
openings
37,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +27.1%

Software developers

5.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$121,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$129,433|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%

Postsecondary teachers

5.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$22,510
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,650|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Management occupations

4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,310
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Computer systems analysts

3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$103,790
openings
34,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%

Management analysts

2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%

Actuaries

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$87,311
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,000|$125,770
openings
2,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +21.8%

Computer programmers

2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,249|$98,670
openings
5,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -6%

Computer and information systems managers

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$215,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$157,570|$171,200
openings
55,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.2%

Teaching assistants

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$24,900
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$24,000|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
statistics.Undergrad Certificate1$97,085 - $97,085
statistics.Bachelor's Degree39$51,684 - $229,811
statistics.Master's Degree20$101,704 - $171,616