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Applied Mathematics at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,138/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 44 Applied Mathematics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Applied Mathematics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $854K $817K $676K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.1x 14.4x 11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.5x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,668
Out-of-state: $179,776 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,976
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,500
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,461
103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,138 place University of California-Merced below the $62,640 national median for Applied Mathematics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 14.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $39,138 far exceeding the $15,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #31 out of 44 programs, University of California-Merced's financial outcomes for Applied Mathematics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $39,138 to $79,461 over five years (103% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Merced

University of California-Merced accepts 39% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Merced →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Actuaries $125,770/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 44 schools offering Applied Mathematics →

Applied Mathematics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($114,279) Brown University ($99,193) Stevens Institute of Technology ($97,700) Northwestern University ($94,684) Columbia University in the City of New York ($91,559) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($82,523) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($82,275) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($82,152)

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Mechanical Engineering ($67,096) Computer Engineering ($58,835) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($57,223) Economics ($51,212) Chemistry ($50,944) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($47,028) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,378) Sociology ($37,092)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Merced's Applied Mathematics program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of California-Merced trails the majority of Applied Mathematics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Applied Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Applied Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Applied Mathematics earnings lower at University of California-Merced?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Merced may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →