Mathematicsat Boston University
Graduates earn $64,604/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $644K; scenarios range from $560K to $664K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Boston University
Your Boston University Mathematics degree opens doors in a city teeming with opportunities. The rigor of BU’s program, combined with Boston’s robust ecosystem in finance, tech, and biotechnology, means you're exceptionally well-prepared for analytical roles. Local employers like Fidelity, HubSpot, or various biotech firms actively seek graduates who can dissect complex problems and build data-driven solutions.
While AI risk for some mathematical tasks is high, a foundational degree from BU prepares you to *create* and *manage* these advanced systems, not just perform calculations that AI can replicate. You'll develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to thrive in evolving fields like data science, quantitative analysis, or statistical modeling. To truly leverage this, focus on internships and projects that apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world datasets and industry challenges, ensuring you build skills that complement, rather than compete with, AI.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Boston University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Mathematics
How Boston University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Boston University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mathematics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Mathematics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Mathematics at Boston University
How does Boston University's Mathematics program score?
A score of 50/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Boston University trails the majority of Mathematics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Mathematics at Boston University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $260,672, but the average net cost is $107,984 — a 59% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.