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Best Value Mathematics Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Swarthmore College mathematics graduates command $125,015 in median earnings while paying just $18,686 net annually, creating an extraordinary return on investment that outpaces every other program in Pennsylvania. This elite liberal arts college accepts only 6.93% of applicants yet maintains a 94.10% graduation rate. At the opposite end, East Stroudsburg University costs $15,089 net with graduates earning $42,682, demonstrating how public universities provide accessible pathways into Pennsylvania's growing data science and actuarial sectors. The state's mathematics programs span a $23,339 net cost range, from East Stroudsburg to Drexel's $38,428, while earnings vary dramatically from $37,568 to $125,015. Major employers like Comcast and pharmaceutical giants in the Philadelphia corridor increasingly seek quantitative analysts and statisticians, making Pennsylvania mathematics degrees particularly valuable for students targeting finance and healthcare analytics roles.
50
Programs
$15,089 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$49,506
Avg. Program Earnings
68.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Mathematics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,686 $125,015 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
2 $15,089 $42,682 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
3 $17,216 $41,205 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
4 $22,673 $49,832 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
5 $19,524 $40,132 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
6 $21,205 $43,426 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
7 $32,496 $65,332 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
8 $20,231 $40,392 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
9 $18,952 $37,568 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
10 $21,900 $43,314 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
11 $23,553 $44,523 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
12 $23,331 $44,091 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
13 $30,314 $52,941 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
14 $32,191 $53,358 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
15 $38,428 $61,020 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
16 $25,866 $41,025 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
17 $29,219 $45,249 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
18 $30,485 $43,798 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
19 $27,700 $39,729 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
20 $30,074 $37,568 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
21 $34,978 $43,575 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
22 $44,876 $53,358 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
23 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
24 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
25 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
26 $29,843 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
27 $24,829 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
28 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
29 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
30 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
31 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
32 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
33 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
34 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
35 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
36 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
37 $25,157 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
38 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
39 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
40 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
41 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
42 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
43 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
44 $30,465 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
45 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
46 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
47 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%
48 $40,429 $64,772 86.2% 32.6%
49 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
50 $20,822 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Swarthmore College's mathematics program such an strong value?

Swarthmore delivers the highest graduate earnings at $125,015 while charging only $18,686 net annually, less than many public universities. The program maintains a 94.10% graduation rate despite accepting fewer than 7% of applicants. This combination of selectivity, completion rates, and earning potential creates unmatched value for mathematics students who gain admission.

How do Pennsylvania's public universities compare for mathematics affordability?

Public universities range from $15,089 at East Stroudsburg to $23,553 at Shippensburg for net costs. East Stroudsburg offers the lowest price point while graduates still earn $42,682 median salary. West Chester provides strong value at $22,673 net cost with $49,832 graduate earnings and a solid 69.80% graduation rate.

Is the earnings gap between schools worth the cost difference?

Mathematics graduates see an $87,447 earnings spread from University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown's $37,568 to Swarthmore's $125,015. Lafayette College graduates earn $65,332 at $32,496 net cost, while Drexel's $61,020 earners pay $38,428. The premium for elite programs often translates to significantly higher lifetime earnings potential.

Does Pennsylvania's job market support mathematics graduates well?

Pennsylvania's finance sector, anchored by companies in Philadelphia, and healthcare giants like UPMC create strong demand for quantitative analysts. The state's pharmaceutical industry requires statisticians and data scientists, roles that mathematics graduates fill effectively. Comcast and other tech companies also recruit heavily for algorithm development and data analysis positions.

Where do graduation rates matter most for mathematics programs?

Graduation rates vary from 43.80% at East Stroudsburg to 94.10% at Swarthmore, indicating significant differences in student support and program rigor. Schools like Dickinson (83.40%) and Muhlenberg (80.20%) maintain strong completion rates while charging moderate net prices. Higher graduation rates typically correlate with better job placement and alumni networks in mathematics fields.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.