Applied Mathematics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Applied Mathematics is a rigorous, interdisciplinary field dedicated to leveraging mathematical principles to address complex real-world challenges across engineering, physical sciences, and industrial applications. This program emphasizes the development and implementation of mathematical models to analyze, predict, and optimize dynamic systems and processes.
- Natural Phenomena Modeling: Techniques for translating physical behaviors—such as fluid flow, heat transfer, and material deformation—into precise mathematical frameworks.
- Continuum Mechanics: The study of how solid and fluid materials deform and respond to forces, forming the foundation for structural and mechanical analysis.
- Reaction-Diffusion Systems: Mathematical approaches to modeling how substances spread and interact in space and time, critical in biological pattern formation and chemical kinetics.
- Wave Propagation: Analysis of how waves—mechanical, electromagnetic, or acoustic—travel through various media, essential for signal processing and seismic studies.
- Dynamic Systems: Exploration of systems that evolve over time, including stability analysis, bifurcation theory, and long-term behavior prediction.
- Numerical Analysis: Development and evaluation of algorithms to approximate solutions to mathematical problems that lack closed-form answers.
- Controlled Theory: Methods for designing systems that maintain desired behaviors through feedback mechanisms, widely used in robotics and aerospace.
- Asymptotic Methods: Approximation techniques for analyzing problems in the limit of small or large parameters, simplifying complex equations for practical insight.
- Calculus of Variations: A framework for finding functions that minimize or maximize functionals, crucial in optimization and physics.
- Optimization Theory: Tools for identifying the best possible solutions under constraints, applied in logistics, economics, and engineering design.
- Inverse Problems: Strategies to deduce underlying causes from observed effects, vital in medical imaging, geophysics, and data reconstruction.
- Applied Industrial and Scientific Topics: Integration of mathematical techniques into practical domains such as manufacturing, energy systems, and computational biology.
Applied Mathematics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Applied Mathematics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Applied Mathematics degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Actuaries and Mathematicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 448,150 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Actuaries 15-2011 | $125,770 | $75,240 - $206,430 | 28,340 | $60.47 |
| Mathematicians 15-2021 | $121,680 | $63,430 - $187,660 | 2,220 | $58.50 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Statisticians 15-2041 | $103,300 | $60,390 - $170,700 | 29,800 | $49.66 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1022 | $79,350 | $48,150 - $161,020 | 48,820 | N/A |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other 15-2099 | $71,490 | $40,330 - $154,140 | 4,660 | $34.37 |
Applied Mathematics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $75,955 in Louisiana to $148,929 in California—a 96% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 448,150 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Applied Mathematics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Applied Mathematics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Applied Mathematics is found at Stony Brook University (SBU) (369 graduates), New York University (NYU) (230 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (206 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (205 graduates), and Brown University (201 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,877 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
369 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
230 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
206 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
205 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
201 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
158 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
154 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
139 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
138 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
136 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
120 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
115 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
96 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
94 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of California |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Merced, California | Public | ucmerced.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
|
36 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
34 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Hillsdale College |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Hillsdale, Michigan | Private | hillsdale.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Virginia Military Institute (VMI) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Lexington, Virginia | Public | vmi.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
17 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Bloomfield College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Bloomfield, New Jersey | Private | bloomfield.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Master's
|
13 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| Bryant University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Smithfield, Rhode Island | Private | bryant.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Princeton University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| Thomas Edison State University (TESU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Trenton, New Jersey | Public | tesu.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | wit.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Master's
|
8 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Gonzaga University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Spokane, Washington | Private | gonzaga.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
7 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Marist College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio | Public | afit.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| Coastal Carolina University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | coastal.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Clarkson University (Clarkson) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Potsdam, New York | Private | clarkson.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Utica, New York | Public | sunypoly.edu |
| Mary Baldwin University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Staunton, Virginia | Private | marybaldwin.edu |
| University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands | Public | uvi.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UA Little Rock) |
Master's
|
5 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | ualr.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Master's
|
5 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Applied Mathematics programs
How much can I earn with a Applied Mathematics degree?
Salaries for Applied Mathematics graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Actuaries earn around $125,770. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $148,929 compared to $75,955 in Louisiana. Approximately 448,150 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Applied Mathematics programs?
Currently 218 accredited institutions offer Applied Mathematics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Stony Brook University (SBU) (369 graduates), New York University (NYU) (230 graduates), and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (206 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Applied Mathematics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,034 in 2010 to a peak of 4,537 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,209 in 2023-24. This represents a 107% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Applied Mathematics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Actuaries, and Mathematicians. Related occupations employ approximately 448,150 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Mathematics Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Mathematics field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Algebra and Number Theory
A program that focuses on the expression of quantities and their relationships by means of symbols, vectors, matrices, and equations, and the properties...
Topology and Foundations
A program that focuses on the properties of unaltered geometric configurations under conditions of continuous, multi-directional transformations. Includes instruction in mathematical logic, proof...
Mathematics
Any program in mathematics not listed above.
Computational Mathematics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics to the theory, architecture, and design of computers, computational techniques, and algorithms. Includes instruction...
Applied Mathematics
A program that focuses on the application of a broad range of mathematical and computational methods to modeling, analysis, algorithm development, and simulation...
Financial Mathematics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematics and statistics to the finance industry, including the development, critique, and use of various...