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Mathematics · Applied Mathematics Rank #7 of 44

Applied Mathematicsat Harvard University

Graduates earn $114,279/yr in their first year — about 82.0% above the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,476K; scenarios range from $1,100K to $1,586K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
71
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$114,279
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,476K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
60% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harvard University

Your outcomes here reflect Harvard's unparalleled academic rigor and the intense competition for admission, attracting students inherently poised for top-tier careers. This program doesn't just teach advanced mathematics; it cultivates a highly adaptable, analytical mind sought by elite employers in quantitative finance, data science, tech, and consulting. The robust recruiting pipelines directly connect you to leading firms in Boston, New York, and Silicon Valley, leveraging the university’s global reputation and alumni network. While the field's analytical core faces significant AI integration, your training emphasizes the foundational understanding necessary to *develop* and *direct* these technologies, not merely operate them. The sheer depth of research opportunities and the vibrant intellectual community further amplify your potential. To maximize this advantage, actively engage with faculty research projects and strategically build your network from day one; these connections are as valuable as the curriculum itself.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$1,100K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,476K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple6.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,586K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple6.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Harvard University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Applied Mathematics graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Actuaries
+21.8% 10-yr growth · 2,400 openings/yr
$125,770/yr
High
3
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
4
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
5
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
6
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Applied Mathematics

How Harvard University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Stevens Institute of Technology
NJ · Private nonprofit
55
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
3.0x
ROI
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$92K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Ohio State University-Main Campus
OH · Public
64
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
15.0x
ROI
Also at Harvard University

Other top programs at Harvard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harvard University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at Harvard University

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Mathematics at Harvard University?

At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Applied Mathematics at Harvard University?

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 Harvard University one of the best schools for Applied Mathematics?

Among 44 Applied Mathematics programs, Harvard University's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Applied Mathematics at Harvard University?

The 72% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $236,304. At a net cost of $67,264, the earnings multiple improves substantially.