by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/general-applied-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general applied mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for general applied mathematics in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for general applied mathematics graduates is $16,616. Early-career general applied mathematics graduates make about $114,279. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #2 place for general applied mathematics. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for general applied mathematics graduates is $25,195. General Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general applied mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the general applied mathematics program here. General Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern University earned it the #4 place for general applied mathematics. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. General Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Early-career general applied mathematics graduates make about $74,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general applied mathematics will find it at Brandeis University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the general applied mathematics program here. General Applied Mathematics graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.