Mathematics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns through rigorous logical reasoning.
Starting Salary
$65K
median
Mid-Career
$100K
salary
ROI Payback
4.2 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Mathematics Overview
Study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns through rigorous logical reasoning.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$800K
Female Graduates
42%
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
$18,000
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,000
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$782,000
Lifetime earnings premium ($800,000) minus net degree cost ($18,000)
Mathematics Salary Progression
Common Mathematics Careers
Actuary
Data Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Mathematics
#1
MIT
#2
Princeton
#3
Harvard
#4
Stanford
#5
University of Chicago
Related Majors
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.
Mathematics Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for mathematics programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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