HUMANITIES Specialization

Mathematics and Computer Science

Mathematics and Computer Science graduates earn $118,943 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 34.6%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Mathematics and Computer Science

This page covers Mathematics and Computer Science as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Mathematics and Computer Science is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $118,943 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 98 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,489 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$89,651
Median Earnings · 4yr
$118,943
Colleges Offering
98
Graduates / Year
1,489
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,307

How Much Do Mathematics and Computer Science Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Mathematics and Computer Science, a typical graduate earns $118,943, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $77,135 and $174,935, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$89,651
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$118,943
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$137,218
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Mathematics and Computer Science graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $118,943 against an estimated $85,228 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 85 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,489 students who complete Mathematics and Computer Science programs each year, the majority (80%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 80%
Master's 18%
Doctorate 1%

What Can You Do With a Mathematics and Computer Science Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Mathematics and Computer Science graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Computer & Information Systems Manager pays the most at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Computer & Information Systems Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +15.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$175,140
$138K $221K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 53,500 openings/yr 671K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

  • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
  • Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  • Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$167,220
$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally
Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  • Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
↗ +10.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$135,980
$105K $172K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 95,300 openings/yr 1.7M employed nationally
Programming Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

  • Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
  • Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
  • Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
↗ +34.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$120,230
$86K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 24,800 openings/yr 262K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

  • Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
  • Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
↗ +4.9% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$96,980
$67K $131K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 3,200 openings/yr 35K employed nationally
Instructing Reading Comprehension Writing Speaking Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$79,940
$62K $105K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 3,900 openings/yr 48K employed nationally
Mathematics Speaking Active Listening Instructing Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.

Top Colleges for Mathematics and Computer Science

Not sure where to study Mathematics and Computer Science? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of California-San Diego, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public 299 26.7% $12,470 $84,943
2 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA · Nonprofit 103 48% $50,062 $109,183
3 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public 87 42.4% $14,355 $81,054
4 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX · Public 66 79.9% $13,951 $63,199
5 George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public 64 87.5% $17,915 $76,343
6 University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL · Public 51 77.4% $10,974 $68,740
7 Brown University Providence, RI · Nonprofit 48 5.4% $25,184 $93,487
8 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 47 54.9% $18,425 $82,592
9 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public 45 28.6% $14,251 $80,735
10 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH · Public 45 59.7% $13,946 $46,600
11 Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO · Nonprofit 37 12.1% $21,786 $86,182
12 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI · Public 34 84.6% $15,273 $53,562
13 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit 30 4.6% $20,111 $143,372
14 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 26 4% $21,590 $102,491
15 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC · Public 25 79.6% $15,435 $57,289
16 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA · Public 18 93.3% $21,193 $62,569
17 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA · Nonprofit 17 14.1% $25,496 $84,803
18 Pepperdine University Malibu, CA · Nonprofit 16 62.9% $58,098 $82,939
19 University of Oregon Eugene, OR · Public 14 88.3% $22,182 $61,324
20 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE · Public 14 87% $13,441 $53,909

Ranked by Mathematics and Computer Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 and Computer Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Mathematics and Computer Science Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Mathematics and Computer Science a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $118,943 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $89,651 at graduation to $118,943 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +34.6% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 189,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Mathematics and Computer Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mathematics and Computer Science graduates earn?
$118,943 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $77,135 and $174,935, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Mathematics and Computer Science degree?
$89,651 in the first year out. That grows to $118,943 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Mathematics and Computer Science degree?
Computer & Information Systems Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $175,140 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Mathematics and Computer Science program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Mathematics and Computer Science bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Mathematics and Computer Science?
98 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Mathematics and Computer Science degree worth it?
$118,943 median earnings four years out against $21,307 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Mathematics and Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Mathematics and Computer Science is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Mathematics and Computer Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Mathematics and Computer Science graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mathematics and Computer Science graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Mathematics and Computer Science graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $118,943, graduate study in Mathematics and Computer Science tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Mathematics and Computer Science graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +12.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +34.6%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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