by our College Data Analytics Team
[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the early-career earnings of their applied mathematics graduates.
What’s on this page:
Where you study applied mathematics affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we built our Highest Paid Applied Mathematics Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose applied mathematics degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Applied Mathematics Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools send applied mathematics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
New York University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid applied mathematics graduates in the United States. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $172,750 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in applied mathematics will find them at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Applied Mathematics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $134,475 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in applied mathematics will find them at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of about $121,262 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in applied mathematics will find them at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $138,586 per year.
Depaul University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in applied mathematics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $110,155 annually.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute make a median of around $114,004 per year.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $84,983 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $84,685 a year early in their careers.
Seattle University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from Seattle University make a median of around $83,342 per year.
Stony Brook University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. Stony Brook University is a public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from Stony Brook University typically earn about $83,112 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #11 for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $82,241 per year.
Southern Methodist University landed the #12 spot for applied mathematics salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $80,690 per year.
University Of Oregon came in at #13 for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,137.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for applied mathematics salaries this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $78,075 annually.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $78,041 a year early in their careers.
University Of Miami earned the #16 position for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of about $77,419 a year early in their careers.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,647.
Arizona State University earned the #18 position for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $76,148 annually.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #19 for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $74,389 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #20 position for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of about $73,814 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University came in at #21 for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public institution. Early-career applied mathematics graduates from Portland State University make a median of around $73,557 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for applied mathematics salaries this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $69,396 annually.
University At Buffalo earned the #23 position for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Applied Mathematics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of about $63,402 a year early in their careers.
University Of Kentucky ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. University Of Kentucky is a public school located in the city of Lexington. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Kentucky typically earn about $57,028 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their applied mathematics graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 24 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.