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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
Wondering whether Mathematics is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Natural Sciences Managers earn and how the role is projected to grow.
Statistics, calculus, and data analysis, math graduates are in high demand in finance, tech, insurance, and every field that runs on numbers. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $69,562, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,555 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 49,970 students complete a degree in this area every 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
+8.2%
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?
Pay for Mathematics graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $51,236 one year after graduation, rising to $69,562 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, 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
Studying Mathematics does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Natural Sciences Managers pays the most among them at a median $167,220 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.
Another common path leads to what Actuaries typically earn and how the field is trending.
Natural Sciences Managers
Bachelor's degree
$167,220
↗ +8.2% growth
Actuaries
Bachelor's degree
$130,000
↗ +9.2% growth
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +4.7% growth
Data Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$120,230
↗ +34.6% growth
Financial Risk Specialists
Bachelor's degree
$117,330
↗ +7.4% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +11.0% growth
Financial Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$102,740
↗ +7.2% growth
Management Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$101,860
↗ +10.1% growth
Mathematics Specializations
Mathematics spans 5 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $69,562 to $92,425 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Statistics program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Mathematics
These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Mathematics, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for New York University.
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
Mathematics is a mixed case: real strengths, offset by real trade-offs, and neither side is large enough to settle the decision on its own. All 4 points below are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts, with no editorial opinion added.
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 +34.6% 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?
$69,562 a year four years after finishing the degree. That is the national median, so half of graduates earn more and half earn less, and specialization, institution, and region move the number a lot. Use the specializations table on this page to see which tracks pay above and below it. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Mathematics degree?
About $51,236 in the first year out, at the institutional level. That is an early number, not a ceiling, and it moves with employer, location, and which specialization within Mathematics you picked. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Mathematics degree?
More than one path, so the degree does not lock you into a single title. Natural Sciences Managers pays the most among related roles, at a median $167,220 a year nationally, but it is one option among several. See the Career Paths section on this page for the full list with employment levels and 10-year growth projections. Source: BLS.
How many colleges offer Mathematics?
1,555 colleges and universities in the United States, so location is rarely the limiting factor. Options run from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs, so the harder choice is which type of school fits, not whether one is nearby. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Mathematics degree worth it?
For most students, yes, though the margin depends on which specialization and school you pick. Median 4-year earnings run $69,562 against an average net price of roughly $17,958 a year across institutions that offer this major, and high-earning specializations widen that gap considerably. Compare your specific program before assuming the average applies to you.
How long does it take to earn a Mathematics degree?
Four years for a bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the normal full-time pace, or two years for an associate version at a community college. Part-time or online study stretches that timeline out, and transfer credits can shorten it.
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?
Outlook is strong: related occupations project an average of +11.6% growth over the next decade. Data Scientist leads the group at +34.6%. Demand still swings by specialization, employer sector, and region, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Source: BLS.
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
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