2026 Best Applied Mathematics Schools in California
Applied Mathematics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their applied mathematics programs.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best applied mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
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
Best Schools for Applied Mathematics in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall applied mathematics education in California.
Top Schools in Applied Mathematics
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in applied mathematics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 96 applied mathematics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied mathematics degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied mathematics details for Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for applied mathematics. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 38 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from San Jose State University
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 263 applied mathematics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $71,814. Typical student debt for the program is $14,598.
Get the full applied mathematics details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 292 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied mathematics program make about $78,154 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $12,251 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from University Of Southern California
California Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in applied mathematics, ranking #5. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 13 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Applied Mathematics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from California Institute Of Technology
University Of San Diego came in at #6 for applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 41 applied mathematics students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree.
See the full applied mathematics program report for University Of San Diego
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best applied mathematics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 282 applied mathematics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied mathematics program make about $61,188 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,400 to complete this degree.
See the full applied mathematics program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Pepperdine University came in at #8 for applied mathematics this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 26 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied mathematics program make about $57,582 in their early career. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from Pepperdine University
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for applied mathematics this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 95 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,940 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans.
See the full applied mathematics program report for University Of California Davis
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #10 for applied mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 20 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied mathematics degree from Saint Marys College Of California earn around $59,760 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from Saint Marys College Of California
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot for applied mathematics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 174 applied mathematics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $59,638 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
Get the full applied mathematics details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #12 for applied mathematics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 62 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied mathematics details for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best applied mathematics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 129 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $78,041 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539.
Get the full applied mathematics details for University Of California Irvine
University Of California San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best applied mathematics schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 253 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $42,859 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,516 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from University Of California San Diego
Golden Gate University San Francisco earned the #15 position for applied mathematics this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Golden Gate University San Francisco awarded about 10 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied mathematics degree from Golden Gate University San Francisco earn around $88,638 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,968.
Get the full applied mathematics details for Golden Gate University San Francisco
University Of California Merced landed the #16 spot for applied mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. University Of California Merced graduates 69% of students within six years. About 36 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied mathematics program make about $39,138 in their early career. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $16,497 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied mathematics from University Of California Merced
San Francisco State University earned the #17 position for applied mathematics this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 10 applied mathematics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied mathematics program make about $50,955 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied mathematics details for San Francisco State University
San Diego State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best applied mathematics schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 25 applied mathematics degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Applied Mathematics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $42,856 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,563.
See the full applied mathematics program report for San Diego State University
More Applied Mathematics Rankings
View All Applied Mathematics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.
- 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.