Mathematics at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,339/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #73 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $680K $658K $569K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 10.8x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,456
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,339/yr, roughly in line with the $50,797 national median for Mathematics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 10.8x 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 — 65% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $52,339 far exceeding the $16,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #73 out of 253 programs, University of California-San Diego's Mathematics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $52,339 to $70,456 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of California-San Diego

University of California-San Diego accepts 25% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, one of the larger campuses at 33,787 students in La Jolla, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-San Diego

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-San Diego's Mathematics program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →