STEM
+4.0%Engineering
Build physical systems and solve complex technical problems — civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering are the most common specializations.
STEM
Mathematics
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Mathematics
Statistics, calculus, and data analysis — math graduates are in high demand in finance, tech, insurance, and every field that runs on numbers. Graduates earn a national median of $69,562 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,555 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 49,970 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $51,236
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $69,562
- Colleges Offering
- 1,555
- Graduates / Year
- 49,970
- Specializations
- 5
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $17,958
Is a Mathematics Degree Right for You?
$69,562
Median earnings · 4yr
+3.7%
10yr job growth
5
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~1.8
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $69,562 against an estimated $71,832 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Mathematics Majors Earn?
Mathematics graduates start at a median $51,236 one year out and reach $69,562 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,555 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$51,236
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$69,562
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$73,882
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Mathematics specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $92,425/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $69,562/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$69,562
Lowest
$69,562
Median
$92,425
Highest
What Can You Do With a Mathematics Degree?
Career Paths for Mathematics Graduates
Mathematics connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Natural Sciences Managers leads in median earnings at $167,220/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Natural Sciences Managers
Bachelor's degree
$167,220
↗ +3.7% growth
Actuaries
Bachelor's degree
$130,000
↗ +21.8% growth
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +1.2% growth
Data Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$120,230
↗ +33.5% growth
Financial Risk Specialists
Bachelor's degree
$117,330
↗ +6.5% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +8.5% growth
Financial Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$102,740
↗ +5.7% growth
Management Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$101,860
↗ +8.8% growth
Mathematics Specializations
Mathematics spans 5 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $69,562 to $92,425 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Mathematics
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Mathematics graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
2
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
Acceptance
42.4%
Net price/yr
$14,355
Earnings 10yr
$81,054
Grad rate
82%
4
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
5
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance
33%
Net price/yr
$16,109
Earnings 10yr
$74,915
Grad rate
65%
6
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
7
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance
26.7%
Net price/yr
$12,470
Earnings 10yr
$84,943
Grad rate
86%
8
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
9
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY · Public
Acceptance
49%
Net price/yr
$18,784
Earnings 10yr
$74,502
Grad rate
73%
10
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance
6.4%
Net price/yr
$18,809
Earnings 10yr
$87,555
Grad rate
87%
11
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4.5%
Net price/yr
$14,860
Earnings 10yr
$91,885
Grad rate
91%
12
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
13
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
14
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
15
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.1%
Net price/yr
$21,786
Earnings 10yr
$86,182
Grad rate
91%
16
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
17
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
11.7%
Net price/yr
$31,944
Earnings 10yr
$114,862
Grad rate
84%
18
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public
Acceptance
28.6%
Net price/yr
$14,251
Earnings 10yr
$80,735
Grad rate
75%
19
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance
26.6%
Net price/yr
$19,857
Earnings 10yr
$75,121
Grad rate
81%
20
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
Acceptance
49.9%
Net price/yr
$14,600
Earnings 10yr
$72,424
Grad rate
77%
Ranked by number of Mathematics graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Mathematics Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Mathematics degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Mathematics degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Mathematics Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Mathematics tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 4 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $69,562 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +33.5% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Data Scientist.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,555 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $92,425, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
Mathematics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Mathematics graduates earn?
Mathematics graduates earn a national median of $69,562 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Mathematics degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Mathematics degree holders is $51,236 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Mathematics degree?
Mathematics degree holders work in a range of careers. Natural Sciences Managers is one of the top roles by median wage ($167,220/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Mathematics?
1,555 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Mathematics, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Mathematics degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $69,562 and an average net price of roughly $17,958/yr across institutions offering this major, a Mathematics degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Mathematics degree?
A bachelor's degree in Mathematics typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Mathematics graduates?
Employers hiring Mathematics graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Strong foundational skills in math, science, or programming are expected, and employers often prioritize candidates with internship or research experience.
Is graduate school worth it for Mathematics graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000–$40,000 to long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Mathematics graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Mathematics graduates is strong, with an average of +11.2% projected growth across related occupations. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
The Majors Where Your Salary Is a Coin Flip
In a handful of fields, the top quarter of graduates out-earn the bottom quarter by more than 100,000 dollars. The same degree pays wildly differently.
- Earnings range
- Major pay
- Salary spread
- Program earnings
- Income risk
-
The Sweet Spot: Majors With High Pay and High Growth
Only 12 of 38 college majors clear both an above-median salary and above-median job growth. Two of them, math and computer science, stand alone with double-digit growth.
- Job growth
- Major earnings
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- STEM majors
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.