Applied Mathematicsat University of California-Santa Barbara
Graduates earn $59,638/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,021K; scenarios range from $807K to $1,080K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Santa Barbara
While UCSB's Applied Math program is nationally recognized for its academic rigor, you'll notice the early career earnings slightly trail the national average for similar programs. This often reflects a few dynamics. Graduates frequently leverage the strong theoretical foundation for roles in data analysis, scientific computing, or even pursue advanced degrees, which can delay peak earnings. Santa Barbara's regional economy, while robust, isn't a primary hub for high-finance or big tech like other major cities, potentially influencing initial salary offers for some career paths. However, UCSB's strong quantitative training makes you highly adaptable. You'll find alumni succeeding in diverse fields from actuarial science to scientific research and management roles in tech. To maximize your financial trajectory, actively seek internships in your target industry – be it finance, software, or data science – and be open to exploring opportunities beyond the immediate Santa Barbara area upon graduation.
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 Santa Barbara'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 Santa Barbara stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Santa Barbara
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Barbara, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at UC Santa Barbara
What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Mathematics at University of California-Santa Barbara?
At 73/100, 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-Santa Barbara?
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.