Best institutions to study Applied Mathematics
Any instructional program in applied mathematics not listed above.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 221 Applied Mathematics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 27.0399, a specialization of Applied Mathematics (CIP 27.03), and leads most directly to the Mathematicians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2021).
About Applied Mathematics programs
Any instructional program in applied mathematics not listed above.
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. This program is designed for students interested in using mathematics to address challenges in various fields, including science, engineering, and technology. It provides a strong foundation for those looking to pursue careers in mathematics and related disciplines. Students in this program will explore various mathematical techniques and concepts, including combinatorics and optimization. The curriculum is tailored for individuals who enjoy critical thinking and problem-solving, making it an ideal choice for aspiring mathematicians and data scientists.
Core skills developed in the Applied Mathematics program include advanced mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics such as mathematical principles, data analysis, and scientific reasoning, preparing students for a range of analytical challenges in their future careers.
Credentials awarded
What Applied Mathematics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree208 graduates / yr · 16 institutions94%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.5%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Applied Mathematics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 308 |
| 2013 | 287 |
| 2014 | 241 |
| 2015 | 159 |
| 2016 | 225 |
| 2017 | 230 |
| 2018 | 231 |
| 2019 | 231 |
| 2020 | 230 |
| 2021 | 248 |
| 2022 | 300 |
| 2023 | 277 |
| 2024 | 218 |
| 2025 | 221 |
Top 18 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 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 108 | 83% | — | $59,638 |
| 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 38 | 85% | — | — |
| 3 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 12 | 68% | — | $55,173 |
| 5 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 94% | — | — |
| 6 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 75% | — | — |
| 7 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 71% | $23,510 | — |
| 8 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 9 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 70% | $33,877 | — |
| 10 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 58% | — | — |
| 11 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicMaster's | 2 | 55% | — | — |
| 12 | Greensboro College Greensboro, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 46% | $19,549 | — |
| 13 | McKendree University Lebanon, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 53% | $23,994 | — |
| 14 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor's | 1 | 51% | — | — |
| 15 | Berea College Berea, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 58% | $5,274 | — |
| 16 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 58% | $30,837 | — |
| 17 | Keene State College Keene, NHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 60% | — | — |
| 18 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
* 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 14 states
Where Applied Mathematics graduates come from. Each state links to all Applied Mathematics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 145 | University of California - Santa Barbara108 / yr |
| Washington | 2 | 41 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus38 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion12 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 6 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus6 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 3 | Merrimack College2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 3 | Temple University3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | University of Michigan - Dearborn2 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 2 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute2 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | Greensboro College2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | McKendree University1 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | Wichita State University1 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | Berea College1 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | Keene State College1 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | Belmont University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2021, Mathematicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Mathematics program can pursue various careers, primarily as mathematicians. Other potential roles include data scientists and mathematical science educators. The job outlook for mathematicians shows little to no change, with an estimated 100 annual openings and a median wage of $121,680. A master's degree is typically required for advanced positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 27.0399
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 |
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
- Applied MathematicsCIP 27.03013,917 graduates / yr224 institutions
- Computational and Applied MathematicsCIP 27.0304815 graduates / yr45 institutions
- Computational MathematicsCIP 27.0303389 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Mathematical BiologyCIP 27.0306partial data14 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a mathematician, data scientist, or in various mathematical science roles.
What is the job outlook for mathematicians?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with a median wage of $121,680.
What is the CIP code for Applied Mathematics?+
Applied Mathematics is CIP 27.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Applied Mathematics (CIP 27.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in applied mathematics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Applied Mathematics programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Applied Mathematics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 221 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% 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 $59,638 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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