Best institutions to study Applied Mathematics
Compare 344 U.S. colleges offering Applied Mathematics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Applied Mathematics programs report a median of $59,965 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 38 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $91,559 | 112 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 6 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,523 | 159 | 88% | — | $14,929 |
| 7 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,152 | 2 | 68% | $32,713 | — |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,105 | 150 | 91% | — | $15,300 |
| 9 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,921 | 56 | 70% | $28,133 | $26,682 |
| 10 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,814 | 345 | 93% | — | $14,598 |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,622 | 292 | 92% | $26,873 | $12,251 |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,159 | 18 | 55% | — | $21,000 |
| 13 | University at Albany Albany, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,604 | 1 | 61% | — | $21,286 |
| 14 | Bryant University Smithfield, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,954 | 15 | 80% | $38,485 | $26,000 |
| 15 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,328 | 3 | 66% | $24,175 | $25,000 |
| 16 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,741 | 98 | 83% | — | $26,157 |
| 17 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,188 | 305 | 93% | — | $14,400 |
| 18 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,671 | 20 | 82% | — | $19,000 |
| 19 | University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,965 | 4 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,638 | 187 | 83% | — | $17,000 |
| 21 | University of Pittsburgh - Bradford Bradford, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,358 | 3 | 48% | — | $22,571 |
| 22 | University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Greensburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,358 | 1 | 40% | — | $22,571 |
| 23 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,358 | 25 | 85% | — | $22,571 |
| 24 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,787 | 114 | 84% | — | $16,750 |
| 25 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,173 | 141 | 68% | — | $17,681 |
| 26 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,697 | 27 | 57% | $10,199 | $30,599 |
| 27 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,940 | 104 | 86% | — | $14,750 |
| 28 | University of Portland Portland, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,917 | 1 | 80% | $33,822 | $20,810 |
| 29 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,398 | 67 | 82% | — | $21,500 |
| 30 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,822 | 37 | 55% | — | $28,409 |
| 31 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,972 | 284 | 76% | — | $19,000 |
| 32 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,430 | 10 | 53% | — | $18,806 |
| 33 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,859 | 240 | 86% | — | $15,516 |
| 34 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,856 | 35 | 76% | — | $24,563 |
| 35 | University of California - Merced Merced, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,138 | 41 | 69% | — | $16,497 |
| 36 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,756 | 19 | 64% | — | $24,107 |
| 37 | CUNY City College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,702 | 11 | 57% | — | — |
| 38 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,626 | 41 | 60% | — | $17,675 |
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.
Concentrations within Applied Mathematics
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Applied Mathematics, GeneralCIP 27.0301
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as engineering and the applied sciences
- Computational MathematicsCIP 27.0303
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the theory, architecture, and design of computers, computational techniques, and algorithms
- Computational and Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0304
A program that focuses on the application of a broad range of mathematical and computational methods to modeling, analysis, algorithm development, and simulation for the solution of complex scientific
- Financial MathematicsCIP 27.0305
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics and statistics to the finance industry, including the development, critique, and use of various financial models
- Mathematical BiologyCIP 27.0306
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to genomics, molecular modeling, structural biology, ecology, evolutionary biology and systems of analysis of neurobiology, physiology, and met
- Applied Mathematics, OtherCIP 27.0399
Any instructional program in applied mathematics not listed above.
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 of $59,965 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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.
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