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Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
68
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,136/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mathematics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $757K $726K $611K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.1x 16.4x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.9x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 68 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,636
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,202
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $53,136/yr, Mathematics graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo land near the $50,797 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 16.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $16,636 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #32 out of 253 programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Mathematics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $53,136 to $78,202 shows 47% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

A 30% acceptance rate puts California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in competitive admissions territory, with 21,521 students enrolled in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 253 schools offering Mathematics →

Mathematics at Other Schools

Duke University ($121,088) Tufts University ($110,512) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($109,288) Dartmouth College ($108,255) Vanderbilt University ($103,812) University of Chicago ($100,421) Bowdoin College ($90,213) Georgetown University ($88,081)

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Mathematics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Mathematics program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.
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.
Why does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo rank so high for Mathematics?
The #32 ranking out of 253 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →