Best colleges for Applied Mathematics in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of California-Berkeley leads: its Applied Mathematics graduates earn a median $118,414 four years after finishing, against the field's $91,532 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | $118,414 | +$26,882 |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Barbara | $109,360 | +$17,828 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles | $103,887 | +$12,355 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Applied Mathematics?
By graduate earnings, University of California-Berkeley — its Applied Mathematics bachelor's graduates earn a median $118,414 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do Applied Mathematics graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $103,887 to $118,414. The field's national median is $91,532.
Is a Applied Mathematics degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Applied Mathematics graduates earn $43,172/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.