by our College Data Analytics TeamContrary to the popular belief of bored high school students, math is useful in the real world! Applied Mathematics is the study of mathematical formulas and statistics that are used in everyday life.
The broad groundwork of mathematical skills you obtain from this major will be useful for a variety of careers. In addition to math classes, students will take statistics, computer science and physics. Some of the material you learn can be applied to engineering. Classes that you may take will be numerical analysis, optimization theory, calculus, computer science, differential equations, linear algebra, physics, numerical analysis, and systems design.
Concentrations in this major include: Computational Mathematics; Computational and Applied Mathematics; Financial Mathematics; and Mathematical Biology.
A degree in Applied Mathematics covers Applied Mathematics. Read on to learn the essential details every applied mathematics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied mathematics programs.
In the U.S., applied mathematics is a popular field of study, with 11,002 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Mathematics Schools ranking analyzes these 338 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied mathematics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied mathematics programs later in this article.
Studies in Applied Mathematics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied mathematics graduates commonly enter.
This is a great major for students who are passionate about math and ready to create mathematical models to answer difficult questions. Your courses will include lectures along with labs and computer-based classes. In order to be successful, you will need to think logically and critically. In labs, cooperative learning will take place. Working with your peers, listening to their perspectives and then adding your own input will be critical. You will develop your skills through collaborating with others.
Although math is your primary focus, writing skills will also be helpful. You will need to write clearly as you complete lab report and develop proofs. Students will learn to make connections between their classes as they use mathematical formulas and abstract concepts to form real-world solutions.
Skills emphasized by a applied mathematics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a applied mathematics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied mathematics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,560 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,088 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 349 |
People currently working in careers related to applied mathematics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.9% |
| Master’s degree | 23.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied mathematics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
With strong mathematical skills, you will be prepared to work in a multitude of careers. Many graduates go into computer science and software development. Other career options are statistician, auditor, mathematician or actuary. You could also go into physics or engineering. Due to their practical knowledge, many graduates find work in the financial field as bankers, financial analysts or advisors. Some of these career options may require additional education.
A degree in applied mathematics prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to applied mathematics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied mathematics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Specialists, All Other | 691,110 | 6.5% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | 471,150 | -1.2% |
| Bioinformatics Technicians | 434,408 | -2.4% |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | 358,631 | -0.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of applied mathematics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $69,764 |
| 4 years | $85,594 |
| 5 years | $100,060 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied mathematics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied mathematics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Financial Quantitative Analysts | $126,371 |
| Bioinformatics Technicians | $121,896 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
With 338 different applied mathematics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied mathematics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in applied mathematics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Financial Mathematics | 5,335 |
| Applied Mathematics, General | 4,209 |
| Computational and Applied Mathematics | 824 |
| Computational Mathematics | 397 |
| Applied Mathematics, Other | 221 |
| Mathematical Biology | 16 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25,518 |
| Statistics | 9,603 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | 575 |
| Applied Statistics | 572 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
