Best institutions to study Applied Mathematics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as engineering and the applied sciences.
224 U.S. institutions graduated 3,917 Applied Mathematics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 27.0301, a specialization of Applied Mathematics (CIP 27.03), and leads most directly to the Mathematicians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2021).
About Applied Mathematics programs
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as engineering and the applied sciences. Includes instruction in natural phenomena modeling continuum mechanics, reaction-diffusion, wave propagation, dynamic systems, numerical analysis, controlled theory, asymptotic methods, variation, optimization theory, inverse problems, and applications to specific scientific and industrial topics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Applied Mathematics program focuses on the practical application of mathematical principles to solve real-world problems in various fields, including engineering and the applied sciences. This program is ideal for students interested in using mathematics to model natural phenomena and address functional challenges across diverse industries.
Students in this program will gain core skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Coursework typically includes topics such as numerical analysis, optimization theory, and continuum mechanics, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to tackle complex scientific and industrial problems.
Credentials awarded
What Applied Mathematics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,701 graduates / yr · 156 institutions69%
- Master's degree913 graduates / yr · 83 institutions23%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship237 graduates / yr · 48 institutions6.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate42 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year14 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Applied Mathematics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,409 |
| 2013 | 2,799 |
| 2014 | 2,759 |
| 2015 | 3,112 |
| 2016 | 3,314 |
| 2017 | 3,574 |
| 2018 | 3,855 |
| 2019 | 3,998 |
| 2020 | 4,146 |
| 2021 | 4,219 |
| 2022 | 4,065 |
| 2023 | 4,175 |
| 2024 | 3,844 |
| 2025 | 3,917 |
Top 50 institutions for Applied Mathematics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 274 | 76% | — | $44,972 |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 262 | 93% | — | $71,814 |
| 3 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 230 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 4 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 213 | 96% | $14,644 | $99,193 |
| 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 165 | 85% | — | — |
| 6 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 161 | 98% | $15,013 | $114,279 |
| 7 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 159 | 93% | — | $61,188 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor's | 150 | 91% | — | $75,105 |
| 9 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 137 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 112 | 96% | $15,315 | $91,559 |
| 11 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 106 | 84% | — | $57,787 |
| 12 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 95 | 86% | — | $42,859 |
| 13 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 94 | 86% | — | $53,940 |
| 14 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 83% | — | $59,638 |
| 15 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 75 | 74% | — | — |
| 16 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 52 | 85% | — | — |
| 17 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 69% | — | — |
| 18 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 41 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 19 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 60% | — | $27,626 |
| 20 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 41 | 69% | — | $39,138 |
| 21 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 68% | — | $55,173 |
| 22 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 38 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 36 | 75% | — | — |
| 24 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 36 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 25 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 76% | — | $42,856 |
| 26 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 95% | $14,799 | $94,684 |
| 27 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 86% | $25,074 | — |
| 28 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 83% | — | $61,741 |
| 29 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 30 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 31 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor's | 24 | 85% | — | $58,358 |
| 32 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 89% | — | — |
| 33 | Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 90% | — | — |
| 34 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 23 | 55% | — | $49,822 |
| 35 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 82% | — | $60,671 |
| 36 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 70% | $28,133 | $74,921 |
| 37 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 60% | — | — |
| 38 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 64% | — | $36,756 |
| 39 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 18 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 41 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 42 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 43 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 55% | — | $67,159 |
| 44 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 78% | — | — |
| 45 | Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublicBachelor's | 16 | — | — | — |
| 46 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 16 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 47 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 92% | $26,873 | $71,622 |
| 48 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 49 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 74% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicMaster's | 13 | 65% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Applied Mathematics field (CIP 27.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 46 states & territories
Where Applied Mathematics graduates come from. Each state links to all Applied Mathematics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2021, Mathematicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Mathematics program can pursue careers as mathematicians, data scientists, or actuaries, among others. With an annual median wage of $121,680, the job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 100 annual openings and a typical requirement of a master's degree for advanced positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 27.0301
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mathematiciansprimary SOC 15-2021 | $126,710 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~100 | Master's degree |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1022 | $79,940 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~4,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Actuaries SOC 15-2011 | $130,000 | +21.8% Much faster than average | ~2,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Statisticians SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other SOC 15-2099 | $81,490 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~300 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Applied Mathematics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Applied Mathematics specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Applied Mathematics (CIP 27.03).
- Financial MathematicsCIP 27.03055,694 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Computational and Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0304815 graduates / yr45 institutions
- Computational MathematicsCIP 27.0303389 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0399221 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Mathematical BiologyCIP 27.0306partial data14 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Applied Mathematics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Applied Mathematics.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and scientific analysis.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a mathematician, data scientist, or actuary, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Applied Mathematics?+
Applied Mathematics is CIP 27.0301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Applied Mathematics (CIP 27.03). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as engineering and the applied sciences. Includes instruction in natural phenomena modeling continuum mechanics, reaction-diffusion, wave propagation, dynamic systems, numerical analysis, controlled theory, asymptotic methods, variation, optimization theory, inverse problems, and applications to specific scientific and industrial topics.
How many institutions offer Applied Mathematics programs?+
224 U.S. institutions reported Applied Mathematics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states & territories, awarding 3,917 credentials in the year. That is 35.4% of all Applied Mathematics graduates.
How much do Applied Mathematics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mathematicians occupation, which Applied Mathematics most directly leads to, pays a median of $126,710 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Applied Mathematics field report median earnings of $59,965 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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