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Mathematics · Applied Mathematics Rank #2 of 44

Applied Mathematicsat University of California-Berkeley

Graduates earn $71,814/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,346K; scenarios range from $1,017K to $1,442K depending on AI disruption.

Berkeley, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
77 STRONG
78
Optimistic
73
Pessimistic
Earnings
$71,814
1-year post-graduation
ROI
23.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,346K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
60% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley's Applied Math program provides an unparalleled foundation, benefiting immensely from its world-class faculty and direct access to the Bay Area's vibrant tech and finance ecosystem. Your rigorous quantitative training here is highly valued, opening direct pipelines to leading tech firms, innovative startups, and top-tier financial institutions across the region. This environment translates into high demand for your analytical and problem-solving skills in roles like data science, machine learning engineering, and quantitative analysis, where you'll apply advanced mathematics to real-world challenges daily. While the field experiences significant AI-driven transformation, Berkeley's emphasis on foundational theory and innovative application positions you to be a creator and leader in this evolving landscape. To maximize your opportunities, actively pursue internships that bridge your mathematical expertise with practical computing or data science applications.

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
$1,017K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple17.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,346K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple22.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,442K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple24.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley'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 UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
70
DW Score
$114K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
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
Also at UC Berkeley

Other top programs at UC Berkeley

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at UC Berkeley

What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Mathematics at University of California-Berkeley?

At 77/100, 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 University of California-Berkeley?

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 University of California-Berkeley one of the best schools for Applied Mathematics?

Among 44 Applied Mathematics programs, University of California-Berkeley's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.