# Applied Mathematics

> A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as engineering and the applied sciences. Includes instruction in natural phenomena modeling continuum mechanics, reaction-diffusion, wave propagation, dynamic systems, numerical analysis, controlled theory, asymptotic methods, variation, optimization theory, inverse problems, and applications to specific scientific and industrial topics.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/applied-mathematics
- CIP code: 27.03 (Mathematics and Statistics)
- Colleges offering it: 301 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Associate's | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Bachelor's | 301 | $63,224 | $86,193 | $19,600 |
| Master's | 195 | $87,335 | $115,629 | $39,500 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 76 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 2 | $143,935 | not reported | $50,500 |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cambridge, MA | $170,689 | not reported |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Providence, RI | $157,822 | $8,125 |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Hoboken, NJ | $156,419 | $23,250 |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Evanston, IL | $148,740 | $17,250 |
| [Ohio State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ohio-state-university-main-campus-2000) | Columbus, OH | $120,495 | $13,104 |
| [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-main-campus-2990) | Chapel Hill, NC | $119,839 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Berkeley, CA | $118,414 | $13,000 |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Santa Barbara, CA | $109,360 | $11,567 |
| [University of Connecticut](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-connecticut-uconn-2902) | Storrs, CT | $104,454 | $20,717 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Los Angeles, CA | $103,887 | $14,348 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Clinical Research Coordinators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-research-coordinators): $167,220 median pay
- [Natural Sciences Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/natural-sciences-managers): $167,220 median pay
- [Water Resource Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-resource-specialists): $167,220 median pay
- [Actuaries](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/actuaries): $130,000 median pay
- [Mathematicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematicians): $126,710 median pay
- [Economists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/economists): $124,720 median pay
- [Environmental Economists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-economists): $124,720 median pay
- [Business Intelligence Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/business-intelligence-analysts): $120,230 median pay
- [Clinical Data Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-data-managers): $120,230 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Financial Risk Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-risk-specialists): $117,330 median pay
- [Biostatisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biostatisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Statisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Financial and Investment Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-and-investment-analysts): $102,740 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Biological Scientists, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biological-scientists-all-other): $98,920 median pay
- [Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Molecular and Cellular Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molecular-and-cellular-biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-technicians): $81,490 median pay
- [Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematical-science-occupations-all-other): $81,490 median pay
- [Financial Quantitative Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-quantitative-analysts): $81,100 median pay
- [Financial Specialists, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-specialists-all-other): $81,100 median pay
- [Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fraud-examiners-investigators-and-analysts): $81,100 median pay

## More in Mathematics and Statistics

- [Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mathematics): 1,187 colleges
- [Statistics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/statistics): 217 colleges
- [Mathematics and Statistics, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mathematics-and-statistics-other): 38 colleges
- Applied Statistics: 24 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/