Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $109,288/yr (115% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #5 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 5%

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 $2,206K $2,004K $1,408K
Earnings Multiple 9.2x 8.3x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,751
1.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$226,193
107% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $109,288 put Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mathematics program 115% above the national median of $50,797 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 8.3x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 65% of job tasks, producing a 36% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $109,288 far exceeding the $9,751 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #5 out of 253 programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mathematics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $109,288 to $226,193 over five years (107% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 5% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

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

Mathematics at Other Schools

Compare Mathematics

Other Majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mathematics program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mathematics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology rank so high for Mathematics?
The #5 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.
How affordable is Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after financial aid?
Sticker price is $240,624, but the average net cost is $79,252 — a 67% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →