Mathematicsat California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Graduates earn $53,136/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $726K; scenarios range from $611K to $757K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Poly SLO
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.
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 Cal Poly SLO'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 Cal Poly SLO stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Poly SLO
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Poly SLO, 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 Cal Poly SLO
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.