Mathematics: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 11 reporting college programs.
$70,298 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $84,699
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,557
- Federal debt
- $14,622
- Reporting programs
- 13
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,257
- Federal debt
- $21,589
- Reporting programs
- 331
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,298
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 11
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $75,361
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1California State University, Long Beach$95,3952North Carolina A&T State University$84,1653California State Polytechnic University-Pomona$82,4124Central Connecticut State University$76,6835The University of Tennessee-Knoxville$71,8186University of West Florida$70,2987Emporia State University$70,1338University of Vermont$62,9279University of Northern Iowa$62,73910Montana State University$62,651Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University, Long BeachMaster's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $95,395 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,440 |
| 2 | North Carolina A&T State UniversityMaster's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $84,165 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,846 |
| 3 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaMaster's Degree | Pomona, CA | $82,412 | Not available | Baseline needed | $11,531 |
| 4 | Central Connecticut State UniversityMaster's Degree | New Britain, CT | $76,683 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,857 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleMaster's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $71,818 | Not available | Baseline needed | $18,976 |
| 6 | University of West FloridaMaster's Degree | Pensacola, FL | $70,298 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,364 |
| 7 | Emporia State UniversityMaster's Degree | Emporia, KS | $70,133 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,261 |
| 8 | University of VermontMaster's Degree | Burlington, VT | $62,927 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,343 |
| 9 | University of Northern IowaMaster's Degree | Cedar Falls, IA | $62,739 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,901 |
| 10 | Montana State UniversityMaster's Degree | Bozeman, MT | $62,651 | Not available | Baseline needed | $22,499 |
| 11 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaMaster's Degree | Slippery Rock, PA | $53,834 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,608 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.