Applied Mathematicsat CUNY City College
Graduates earn $28,702/yr in their first year — about 54.0% below the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $894K; scenarios range from $725K to $939K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY City College
While the allure of an Applied Math degree in a major financial and tech hub like New York City is strong, the outcomes here suggest a challenging path for graduates. The intense competition in the local labor market means that a foundational degree alone often isn't enough to secure the high-paying roles common in quantitative fields. Many graduates may find themselves in general analytical or data support roles, rather than the specialized actuary or quant positions typically associated with this field, especially without substantial supplementary skills. The very high AI risk further indicates that many entry-level tasks traditionally performed by math graduates are increasingly susceptible to automation. To truly leverage this degree in the competitive NYC landscape, you'll need to aggressively pursue internships and build a robust portfolio of practical, in-demand skills like advanced programming, statistical modeling, or specific domain knowledge beyond the core curriculum.
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 CUNY City College'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 Applied Mathematics
How CUNY City College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY City College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY City College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at CUNY City College
What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Mathematics at CUNY City College?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Applied Mathematics programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Applied Mathematics at CUNY City College?
The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is CUNY City College a good choice for Applied Mathematics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY City College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Applied Mathematics at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.