Best Schools for Applied Mathematics

Applied Mathematics graduates earn a median of $55,872 within two years of graduation, ranking #51 out of 292 tracked majors — 57% above the median across all fields. There are 48 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,587 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Stanford University graduates earn $97,071 while San Diego State University graduates earn $21,508 — a $75,563 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Applied Mathematics graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

48
Schools
$55,872
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#51
of 292 Majors
1,587
Graduates

Public vs Private: Applied Mathematics

Public (37 schools)
$51,818
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (11 schools)
$69,511
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $17,693 more in early earnings on average for Applied Mathematics graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Applied Mathematics by State

Top Applied Mathematics Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
S

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$97,071
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 3.9%
#2
H

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private

$90,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $102,707
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 3.5%
#3
B

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

$88,506
2yr Earnings
1yr: $105,532
Grads: 60
Acceptance: 5.2%
#4
C

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$84,653
2yr Earnings
1yr: $71,727
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 4.2%
#5
U

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,050
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 53.9%
#6
U

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,050
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 87.0%
#7
U

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,050
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 86.5%
#8
U

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,050
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 80.2%
#9
U

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,050
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 86.5%
#10
U

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$68,778
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 42.5%
#11
W

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA · Private

$67,660
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.4%
#12
U

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$67,660
2yr Earnings
1yr: $64,899
Grads: 78
Acceptance: 18.7%
#13
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$65,387
2yr Earnings
1yr: $71,282
Grads: 120
Acceptance: 11.7%
#14
U

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

$64,121
2yr Earnings
1yr: $62,530
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 84.7%
#15
E

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

$63,005
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.1%
#16
B

Bryant University

Smithfield, RI · Private

$63,005
2yr Earnings
1yr: $57,692
Grads: 57
Acceptance: 65.6%
#17
U

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

$61,516
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 83.3%
#18
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$59,536
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,765
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 27.8%
#19
C

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

$58,673
2yr Earnings
1yr: $67,521
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 59.7%
#20
R

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, PA · Private

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,660
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 90.6%
#21
U

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Bradford, PA · Public

$55,286
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,312
Grads: 81
Acceptance: 90.8%
#22
U

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

$55,286
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,312
Grads: 81
Acceptance: 97.9%
#23
U

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$55,286
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,312
Grads: 81
Acceptance: 49.7%
#24
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$55,151
2yr Earnings
1yr: $61,861
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 10.0%
#25
R

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$53,775
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,849
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 71.4%
#26
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$52,524
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,551
Grads: 54
Acceptance: 63.2%
#27
A

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 50.5%
#28
U

University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public

$50,439
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.7%
#29
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$49,683
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 47.1%
#30
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$49,527
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,707
Grads: 128
Acceptance: 8.7%
#31
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$48,823
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,115
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 90.2%
#32
G

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 16.5%
#33
F

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.6%
#34
U

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public

$46,087
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 92.4%
#35
M

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public

$46,087
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 73.1%
#36
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$46,087
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,596
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 89.5%
#37
W

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$45,919
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,068
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 85.4%
#38
J

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD · Private

$44,971
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 7.6%
#39
U

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public

$44,933
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.1%
#40
C

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,766
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 58.1%
#41
S

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$41,342
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,626
Grads: 141
Acceptance: 49.0%
#42
T

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$40,737
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.0%
#43
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,025
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 41.6%
#44
B

Boise State University

Boise, ID · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.0%
#45
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $54,802
Grads: 48
Acceptance: 24.5%
#46
W

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$36,141
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,366
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 91.3%
#47
C

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.7%
#48
S

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,625
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 34.4%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Applied Mathematics?
Stanford University ranks #1 for Applied Mathematics with median graduate earnings of $97,071 within two years. There are 48 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Applied Mathematics graduates earn?
Applied Mathematics graduates earn an average of $55,872 within two years of graduation. This is 57% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $21,508 to $97,071 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Applied Mathematics program?
The average acceptance rate across Applied Mathematics programs is 56.6%. The most selective program is at Harvard University with a 3.5% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Applied Mathematics?
Private Applied Mathematics programs average $69,511 in early earnings vs $51,818 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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