Applied Mathematicsat University of California-Merced
Graduates earn $39,138/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $817K; scenarios range from $676K to $854K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Merced
The earnings data for UC-Merced's Applied Math program presents a unique situation. While an applied math degree theoretically opens doors to highly lucrative fields like actuarial science, data analysis, and quantitative finance, the numbers suggest graduates from this program are not consistently reaching those upper echelons. This often stems from the regional labor market; the Central Valley, while growing, doesn't possess the same density of high-paying tech or finance employers as coastal California.
This means the program's recruiting pipelines might lean towards local opportunities, or students may need to actively seek out-of-area positions in major hubs like the Bay Area, Los Angeles, or even outside California, where demand for advanced mathematical skills is higher. The "Very High" AI risk also highlights the need for specialized, cutting-edge skills. To maximize your potential, focus heavily on developing in-demand computational skills, advanced statistical modeling, and machine learning applications that differentiate you from entry-level roles susceptible to automation.
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 UC Merced'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 UC Merced stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Merced
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Merced, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at UC Merced
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.