Best colleges for Applied Mathematics
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Applied Mathematics by graduate earnings are Harvard University ($114,279), Brown University ($99,193) and Stevens Institute of Technology ($97,700), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $114,279, 161 graduates a year
- Brown University (Providence, RI): $99,193, 226 graduates a year
- Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ): $97,700, 136 graduates a year
- Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): $94,684, 35 graduates a year
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $91,559, 112 graduates a year
Compare 344 U.S. colleges offering Applied Mathematics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Applied Mathematics programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $59,965 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 27.03 and the Mathematicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Applied Mathematics programs
The Applied Mathematics program focuses on the practical application of mathematical methods across various fields, including physics, engineering, finance, and biology. This program is ideal for students who are interested in solving real-world problems through mathematical modeling and analysis. Students will gain a strong foundation in both mathematical theory and its applications in specialized domains.
In this program, students will develop essential skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Coursework typically covers areas such as computational mathematics, financial mathematics, and mathematical biology, equipping students with the knowledge to tackle complex challenges in diverse industries.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $114,279 | 161 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 2 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $99,193 | 226 | 96% | $14,644 | $10,000 |
| 3 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $97,700 | 136 | 87% | $34,827 | $25,841 |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $94,684 | 35 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 5 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $91,559 | 112 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 6 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,523 | 159 | 88% | — | $14,929 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,105 | 150 | 91% | — | $15,300 |
| 8 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,921 | 56 | 70% | $28,133 | $26,682 |
| 9 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,814 | 345 | 93% | — | $14,598 |
| 10 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,622 | 292 | 92% | $26,873 | $12,251 |
| 11 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,741 | 98 | 83% | — | $26,157 |
| 12 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,188 | 305 | 93% | — | $14,400 |
| 13 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,671 | 20 | 82% | — | $19,000 |
| 14 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,638 | 187 | 83% | — | $17,000 |
| 15 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,358 | 25 | 85% | — | $22,571 |
| 16 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,787 | 114 | 84% | — | $16,750 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,173 | 141 | 68% | — | $17,681 |
| 18 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,940 | 104 | 86% | — | $14,750 |
| 19 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,398 | 67 | 82% | — | $21,500 |
| 20 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,822 | 37 | 55% | — | $28,409 |
| 21 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,972 | 284 | 76% | — | $19,000 |
| 22 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,859 | 240 | 86% | — | $15,516 |
| 23 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,856 | 35 | 76% | — | $24,563 |
| 24 | University of California-Merced Merced, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,138 | 41 | 69% | — | $16,497 |
| 25 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,626 | 41 | 60% | — | $17,675 |
Specializations within Applied Mathematics
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 27.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Financial MathematicsCIP 27.03055,694 graduates / yr127 institutions32 states
- Applied MathematicsCIP 27.03013,917 graduates / yr224 institutions46 states
- Computational and Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0304815 graduates / yr45 institutions21 states
- Computational MathematicsCIP 27.0303389 graduates / yr22 institutions16 states
- Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0399221 graduates / yr18 institutions14 states
- Mathematical BiologyCIP 27.0306partial data14 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2021, Mathematicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Mathematics program can pursue careers in various sectors, with a median wage of $121,680. Although the job outlook indicates little or no change, there are approximately 100 annual openings. A typical requirement for these positions is a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Applied Mathematics
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 27.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 27.03 (Applied Mathematics) maps to 12 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 13-2051 | Financial and Investment Analysts |
| 13-2054 | Financial Risk Specialists |
| 13-2099 | Financial Specialists, All Other |
| 15-2011 | Actuaries |
| 15-2021 | Mathematiciansprimary |
| 15-2041 | Statisticians |
| 15-2051 | Data Scientists |
| 15-2099 | Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-3011 | Economists |
| 25-1022 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Applied Mathematics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
- Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
- Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
- Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
- Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
- Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
Common questions
What is Applied Mathematics?+
Applied Mathematics is the application of mathematical methods to solve practical problems in fields like engineering, finance, and biology.
What skills will I develop?+
Students will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and problem-solving, along with knowledge in specialized areas.
What careers can I pursue?+
Graduates can work in various sectors, with roles that often require a master's degree and offer competitive salaries.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 100 annual openings in the field.
How much do Applied Mathematics graduates earn?+
Applied Mathematics graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $59,965, College Scorecard (2019); the Mathematicians occupation pays about $129,260 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Applied Mathematics?+
Applied Mathematics maps to CIP 27.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card