ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Applied Mathematics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Mathematics
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
Learn More
BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools
For return on investment in applied mathematics, no school beat Stanford University this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $15,516. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $42,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #3 place for applied mathematics. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $78,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,497 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $39,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,497 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $17,024. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $59,638 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for applied mathematics value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $14,400. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $61,188. Set against $14,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $14,598. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $71,814. That is a strong return on a $14,598 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best values for applied mathematics. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $53,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #11 among the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
San Diego State University earned the #13 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $24,563. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $42,856. That is a strong return on a $24,563 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #14 for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego earned the #15 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $12,251. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $78,154. Set against $12,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University came in at #17 for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied mathematics education at a price that pays off.
