by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Applied Mathematics covers Applied Mathematics, General. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Mathematics To The Solution Of Functional Problems In Fields Such As Engineering And The Applied Sciences. Includes Instruction In Natural Phenomena Modeling Continuum Mechanics, Reaction-Diffusion, Wave Propagation, Dynamic Systems, Numerical Analysis, Controlled Theory, Asymptotic Methods, Variation, Optimization Theory, Inverse Problems, And Applications To Specific Scientific And Industrial Topics. Examples: [Fundamental Analysis And Real Variables], [Mathematical Analysis], [Numerical Analysis/methods/computation]. Continue reading for the essential details every general applied mathematics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general applied mathematics programs.
Across the country, general applied mathematics is a widely-pursued major, with 4,209 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Applied Mathematics Schools ranking analyzes these 218 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general applied mathematics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general applied mathematics programs later in this article.
Studies in General Applied Mathematics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general applied mathematics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a general applied mathematics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general applied mathematics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,955 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 998 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 253 |
People currently working in careers related to general applied mathematics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.5% |
| Master’s degree | 24.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.8% |
| Some college courses | 2.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general applied mathematics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general applied mathematics prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general applied mathematics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general applied mathematics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Bioinformatics Technicians | 434,408 | -2.4% |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | 358,631 | -0.2% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Actuaries | 216,689 | -3.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general 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 general applied mathematics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 |
| Bioinformatics Technicians | $121,896 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
With 218 different general applied mathematics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general applied mathematics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general applied mathematics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Financial Mathematics | 5,335 |
| Computational and Applied Mathematics | 824 |
| Computational Mathematics | 397 |
| Applied Mathematics, Other | 221 |
| Mathematical Biology | 16 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
