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Mathematics · Mathematics Rank #5 of 253

Mathematicsat Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Graduates earn $109,288/yr in their first year — about 115.0% above the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $2,004K; scenarios range from $1,408K to $2,206K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
67
Pessimistic
Earnings
$109,288
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$2,004K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at MIT

An MIT Mathematics degree opens doors to unparalleled opportunities, largely due to the program's intense rigor and the university's global reputation. Your education here is prized by employers in quantitative finance, advanced tech R&D, and leading research institutions across Boston, New York, and Silicon Valley. They actively seek this level of analytical talent for complex problem-solving roles, from developing trading algorithms to designing next-generation AI systems. The "very high" AI risk score reflects that many tasks involving complex computation and pattern recognition are evolving rapidly with artificial intelligence. However, your foundational understanding of mathematical principles uniquely positions you not just to be impacted, but to *lead* in developing and applying these AI tools. To maximize your trajectory, actively seek interdisciplinary experiences that bridge theoretical math with practical applications in emerging tech fields, leveraging MIT's expansive network for unique research and industry exposure.

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
$1,408K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple5.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$2,004K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple8.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$2,206K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple9.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where 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
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
5
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 4,400 openings/yr
$79,350/yr
High
6
Mathematical science occupations, all other
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$71,490/yr
Very 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 Mathematics

How MIT stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$121K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Same state (MA)
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$108K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Vanderbilt University
TN · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
University of Chicago
IL · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$100K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Also at MIT

Other top programs at MIT

Other highest-scoring programs offered at MIT, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Mathematics at MIT

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.