by our College Data Analytics Team
[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their applied mathematics graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose applied mathematics graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the top school for applied mathematics graduate earnings in California. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $144,689.
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $94,658 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Santa Barbara earned it the #3 place for applied mathematics. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $109,292.
University Of California Los Angeles produces some of the highest-paid graduates in applied mathematics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,647.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the highest-paying schools for applied mathematics. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $95,412 annually.
University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine typically earn about $78,041 annually.
University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $79,708 annually.
University Of California Merced ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying applied mathematics schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a public institution. After graduating, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Merced typically earn about $79,461 annually.
San Diego State University earned the #9 position for applied mathematics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Students who complete the applied mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,856.
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 · 9 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.