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Best Value Applied Mathematics Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY City College delivers Applied Mathematics training for just $3,486 net annually, while graduates from Stanford's program in the same field earn $97,071 within six years of completion. This stark contrast highlights how strategic school selection can maximize both affordability and career potential in mathematics. The field connects directly to finance hubs in New York and tech centers in California, where quantitative analysts and data scientists command strong salaries. Among public institutions, University of Connecticut maintains consistent $69,338 earnings across four campus locations, though graduation rates vary dramatically from 56.7% at Avery Point to 65.4% in Hartford. Private universities like Harvard and Columbia push net costs above $16,000 but deliver earnings exceeding $84,000, creating a clear premium tier. California State University-Long Beach stands out with $49,683 earnings at just $8,931 net cost, proving that geographic location and state funding models significantly impact value propositions for mathematics students.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $40,846
Net Price Range
$55,873
Avg. Program Earnings
71.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Applied Mathematics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $41,565 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $12,136 $97,071 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
3 $8,896 $69,338 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
4 $4,783 $33,993 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
5 $11,504 $69,338 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
6 $8,931 $49,683 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
7 $16,816 $90,856 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
8 $12,983 $67,660 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
9 $13,339 $69,338 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
10 $13,485 $68,778 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
11 $14,059 $69,338 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
12 $14,979 $65,387 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
13 $11,611 $50,439 $10,760 40.1% 75.6%
14 $13,825 $59,536 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
15 $20,148 $84,653 $69,045 95.0% 4.0%
16 $12,202 $47,260 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
17 $17,365 $64,121 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
18 $13,670 $48,823 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
19 $13,289 $47,260 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
20 $14,013 $49,527 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
21 $13,773 $46,087 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
22 $26,572 $88,506 $68,230 95.9% 5.1%
23 $16,630 $55,286 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
24 $13,782 $44,933 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
25 $11,750 $38,289 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
26 $17,034 $55,286 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
27 $14,401 $45,919 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
28 $12,817 $40,737 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
29 $22,886 $69,338 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
30 $21,480 $61,516 $16,430 75.0% 80.7%
31 $16,438 $46,087 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
32 $17,218 $46,087 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
33 $23,911 $63,005 $60,774 91.8% 11.4%
34 $15,288 $39,369 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
35 $20,924 $52,524 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
36 $18,161 $44,971 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
37 $18,430 $41,342 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%
38 $23,897 $52,107 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
39 $25,747 $55,964 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
40 $19,182 $39,369 $8,782 61.9% 83.9%
41 $29,240 $58,673 $21,186 79.4% 58.0%
42 $34,170 $67,660 $41,010 68.6% 92.3%
43 $18,680 $36,141 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%
44 $30,074 $55,286 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
45 $29,694 $53,775 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
46 $31,927 $55,151 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
47 $40,846 $63,005 $51,169 80.6% 68.8%
48 $16,174 $21,508 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
49 $16,972 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
50 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $93,585 earnings gap between top and bottom programs?

Stanford graduates earn $97,071 compared to $33,993 at CUNY NYC College of Technology, reflecting differences in alumni networks, research opportunities, and regional job markets. Stanford's Silicon Valley location provides direct access to tech companies requiring advanced mathematical modeling. The 3.68% acceptance rate at Stanford versus 81.80% at NYC College of Technology also indicates vastly different student selectivity levels.

How do University of Connecticut campuses compare for Applied Mathematics value?

All four UConn campuses report identical $69,338 earnings but vary significantly in graduation rates and costs. The Hartford campus achieves 65.4% graduation rates at $13,339 net cost, while Waterbury delivers 59.5% completion at just $8,896 annually. Avery Point costs $11,504 with 56.7% graduation rates, making Waterbury the strongest value proposition within the UConn system.

Is the $20,148 net cost at Columbia justified by career outcomes?

Columbia graduates earn $84,653 annually with 95% graduation rates, creating strong return on investment despite the highest net cost among these programs. The university's New York City location provides access to Wall Street quantitative finance roles and consulting positions. However, CUNY City College graduates earn $41,565 at one-sixth the cost, suggesting Columbia's premium may not suit all career goals.

Does attending a highly selective program guarantee higher earnings?

Harvard accepts just 3.24% of applicants and produces $90,856 average earnings, while UC Berkeley's 11.33% acceptance rate yields $65,387 in graduate income. However, University of Washington accepts 47.52% of students yet delivers $68,778 earnings, exceeding Berkeley's outcomes. These patterns suggest that selectivity correlates with but doesn't guarantee superior financial returns in Applied Mathematics.

Where can students find the best graduation rate to cost ratio?

UC Berkeley delivers 92.9% graduation rates at $14,979 net cost, providing strong completion success for a reasonable price. Harvard achieves 97.3% completion but costs $16,816 annually, while University of North Carolina Chapel Hill reaches 92.1% graduation rates for just $12,983. Cal State Long Beach offers 69.9% completion at $8,931, creating the most affordable path to degree completion.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.