2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

For return on investment in applied mathematics, no school beat Stanford University this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $15,516. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $42,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #3 place for applied mathematics. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $78,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

5

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,497 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $39,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,497 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.

6

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $17,024. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $59,638 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for applied mathematics value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $14,400. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $61,188. Set against $14,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

9

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $14,598. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $71,814. That is a strong return on a $14,598 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best values for applied mathematics. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $53,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

11

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #11 among the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.

13

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #13 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $24,563. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $42,856. That is a strong return on a $24,563 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

14

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California came in at #14 for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #15 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $12,251. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $78,154. Set against $12,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

17

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #17 for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.