Applied Mathematicsat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $71,622/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Applied Mathematics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $827K; scenarios range from $682K to $865K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
Earning an Applied Mathematics degree from a prestigious institution like USC positions you incredibly well, especially given its prime Los Angeles location. You'll find strong demand for your quantitative and problem-solving skills across diverse industries, from aerospace and defense companies like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to burgeoning tech startups and financial services firms throughout Southern California. The program's reputation and extensive alumni network open doors to competitive roles, often involving complex data analysis, algorithmic development, and predictive modeling.
However, the field's highly analytical nature means many tasks are increasingly susceptible to automation. Your ability to move beyond routine calculations and focus on innovative problem formulation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and communicating complex insights will be paramount. To truly thrive long-term, prioritize projects and internships that emphasize strategic thinking and human-computer interaction, ensuring you're leading the machines, not just feeding them data.
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 University of Southern California'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 University of Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Applied Mathematics at University of Southern California
What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Mathematics at University of Southern California?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Applied Mathematics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Applied Mathematics at University of Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Applied Mathematics at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.