Applied Mathematicsat San Diego State University
Graduates earn $42,856/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $492K; scenarios range from $466K to $492K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at San Diego State
When considering San Diego State's Applied Mathematics program, understand that its outcomes reflect the unique dynamics of the Southern California job market. While San Diego boasts strong biotech, defense, and a growing tech sector, many graduates often find initial roles in data analysis, research support, or local government, which may not offer the same starting salaries as high-finance or top-tier tech hubs across the country. The program likely provides a solid theoretical foundation, but securing the highest-paying roles often requires strong complementary skills in programming, statistics, or specific industry knowledge beyond the core curriculum.
This regional context means many graduates stay in the area, contributing to a localized salary profile. Given the high AI risk associated with many analytical roles, you'll need to proactively build a competitive portfolio of practical skills—think advanced coding, machine learning, or specialized modeling—through internships and projects. Focus on tailoring your coursework to a specific high-demand application area to stand out and maximize your earning potential in this competitive environment.
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 San Diego State'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 San Diego State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at San Diego State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at San Diego State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at San Diego State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Applied Mathematics at San Diego State University?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Applied Mathematics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Applied Mathematics careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $466,256 in decade earnings vs $491,679 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Applied Mathematics from San Diego State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.