Mathematicsat University of California-Santa Cruz
Graduates earn $40,798/yr in their first year — about 20.0% below the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $764K; scenarios range from $635K to $800K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Santa Cruz
University of California-Santa Cruz's Mathematics graduates start at $40,798/yr, trailing the $50,797 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mathematics programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Mathematics's typical career paths, with 65% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,050 in median debt clears quickly against $40,798 in annual earnings.
Ranked #145 of 253 Mathematics programs, University of California-Santa Cruz falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $76,366 show a 87% jump from the $40,798 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Cruz'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 Mathematics
How UC Santa Cruz stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Santa Cruz
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Cruz, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mathematics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Mathematics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Mathematics at UC Santa Cruz
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mathematics at University of California-Santa Cruz?
This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mathematics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Mathematics careers?
With 65% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $634,935 in decade earnings vs $800,248 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Mathematics from University of California-Santa Cruz?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.