Best Schools for Applied Mathematics

Applied Mathematics graduates earn a median of $94,636 within four years of graduating, ranking #55 out of 283 tracked majors — 51% above the median across all fields. There are 59 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,775 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Harvard University graduates earn $170,689 while Farmingdale State College graduates earn $50,388 — a $120,301 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

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.

Schools

$94,636

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#55

of 283 Majors

1,775

Graduates

Public vs Private: Applied Mathematics

Public (44 schools)

$88,932

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (15 schools)

$116,112

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $27,180 more in early earnings on average for Applied Mathematics graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Applied Mathematics by State

Also by state: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, South Carolina, Texas

Top Applied Mathematics Schools by Graduate Earnings

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private

$170,689

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $90,856 (23)

1yr: $102,707 (20)

Acceptance: 3.5%

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ · Private

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$148,740

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

1yr: $80,781 (22)

Acceptance: 7.1%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$120,495

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $67,207 (16)

Acceptance: 50.8%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$109,170

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

1yr: $58,290 (18)

Acceptance: 64.7%

#11

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

University at Albany

Albany, NY · Public

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

$98,190

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Bradford, PA · Public

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

Bryant University

Smithfield, RI · Private

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

$83,741

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $52,107 (15)

Acceptance: 50.5%

#28

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public

$82,156

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $32,755 (34)

Acceptance: 39.2%

#30

University of Portland

Portland, OR · Private

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, PA · Private

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$76,069

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

Boise State University

Boise, ID · Public

$75,336

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,369 (12)

Acceptance: 84.0%

#34

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public

$74,740

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

1yr: $39,105 (17)

Acceptance: 81.7%

#35

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$70,085

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$68,359

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$66,754

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public

$66,750

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

2yr: $46,087 (13)

Acceptance: 73.1%

#42

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$65,508

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC · Public

$59,208

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 80.2%

#44

Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, NY · Public

$50,388

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 69.1%

#45

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$84,653

2yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA · Private

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

$61,516

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 83.3%

Showing top 50 of 59 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Computer Programming $56,525 Computer Systems Analysis $56,153 Engineering Technology, General $56,123 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $55,788 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other $55,633 Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians $55,507

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Applied Mathematics?

Harvard University ranks #1 for Applied Mathematics with median graduate earnings of $170,689 within four years of graduating. There are 59 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Applied Mathematics graduates earn?

Applied Mathematics graduates earn an average of $94,636 within four years of graduating. This is 51% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $50,388 to $170,689 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 57.2%. 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 $116,112 in early earnings vs $88,932 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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