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Mathematics

STEM Specialization

Mathematics

Mathematics graduates earn $69,562 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.

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About Mathematics

This page covers Mathematics 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 Mathematics and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Mathematics is a specialized field of study. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $69,562 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,491 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 27,179 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $48,828
Median Earnings · 4yr: $69,562
Colleges Offering: 1,491
Graduates / Year: 27,179
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,617

How Much Do Mathematics Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Mathematics, a typical graduate earns $69,562, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $49,058 and $97,414, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $48,828 at one year out to $69,562 by year four. 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.

$48,828

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$69,562

4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$70,257

4-Year Institutional Median

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

Earnings Range

Not every Mathematics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.

$49,058 25th pct.

$69,562 Median

$97,414 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $69,562 against an estimated $74,468 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 1,228 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 27,179 students who complete Mathematics programs each year, the majority (71%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

71%

Bachelor's 71%

Associate's 14%

Master's 10%

What Can You Do With a Mathematics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Mathematics graduates show up in 5 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/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 Natural Sciences Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$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.

↗ +34.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Data Scientist

$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.

↗ +11.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Statisticians

$105,650

$82K $141K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 1,900 openings/yr 29K employed nationally

Mathematics Mathematics Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Mathematical Science Teachers

$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.

↘ -0.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 63,500 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

Top Colleges for Mathematics

Not sure where to study Mathematics? 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 The University of Texas at Austin, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	325	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
2	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public	310	59.7%	$22,383	$71,631
3	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public	299	45.2%	$17,354	$73,792
4	University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public	285	28.6%	$14,251	$80,735
5	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	258	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
6	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	248	9%	$12,548	$82,511
7	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public	244	26.7%	$12,470	$84,943
8	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit	228	6.4%	$18,809	$87,555
9	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	224	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
10	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	220	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
11	University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	208	4.5%	$14,860	$91,885
12	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	203	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
13	University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA · Public	196	76.4%	$14,304	$67,699
14	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	186	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
15	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public	184	79.8%	$16,778	$69,020
16	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	183	42.4%	$14,355	$81,054
17	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit	177	99.5%	$36,708	$50,318
18	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	175	60.6%	$32,875	$63,435
19	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public	168	15.3%	$11,655	$72,200
20	Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN · Nonprofit	165	5.9%	$15,846	$91,565

View all colleges

Ranked by Mathematics 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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools 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

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Mathematics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Above-average earnings Four-year median of $69,562 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $48,828 at graduation to $69,562 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 103,300 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.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Mathematics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mathematics graduates earn?

$69,562 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $49,058 and $97,414, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Mathematics degree?

$48,828 in the first year out. That grows to $69,562 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 degree?

Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 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 program take?

Four years of full-time study for a Mathematics 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?

1,491 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 degree worth it?

$69,562 median earnings four years out against $18,617 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 skills do employers look for in Mathematics graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mathematics graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Mathematics graduates?

Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. 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 graduates?

Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +11.1% 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.