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Mathematics · Mathematics Rank #134 of 253

Mathematicsat University of Colorado Boulder

Graduates earn $41,176/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $835K; scenarios range from $679K to $880K depending on AI disruption.

Boulder, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
58
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,176
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$835K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Colorado Boulder

Starting salaries of $41,176/yr fall 19% below the $50,797 national median for Mathematics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,258 in median debt against $41,176 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #134 of 253 Mathematics programs, University of Colorado Boulder falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $82,787 show a 101% jump from the $41,176 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$679K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple10.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$835K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple12.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$880K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple13.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Colorado Boulder's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Mathematics graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
5
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 4,400 openings/yr
$79,350/yr
High
6
Mathematical science occupations, all other
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$71,490/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Mathematics

How University of Colorado Boulder stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$121K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
72
DW Score
$109K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$108K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Vanderbilt University
TN · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Also at University of Colorado Boulder

Other top programs at University of Colorado Boulder

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Colorado Boulder, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Mathematics at University of Colorado Boulder

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mathematics at University of Colorado Boulder?

This program scores 57/100 — 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 $678,939 in decade earnings vs $880,292 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Mathematics from University of Colorado Boulder?

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.