Applied Mathematics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Use of mathematical methods to solve practical problems in science, engineering, business, and industry.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$110K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Applied Mathematics Overview
Use of mathematical methods to solve practical problems in science, engineering, business, and industry.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
70%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$950K
Female Graduates
35%
Applied Mathematics Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,450
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,450
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$931,550
Lifetime earnings premium ($950,000) minus net degree cost ($18,450)
Applied Mathematics Salary Progression
Common Applied Mathematics Careers
Quantitative Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Data Scientist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Applied Mathematics
#1
MIT
#2
Harvard
#3
Stanford
#4
Brown
#5
Columbia
Related Majors
Applied Mathematics Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Applied Mathematics Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for applied mathematics programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 150+ college majors.