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Mathematics at Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,799/yr (57% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #170 of 253 Mathematics programs

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 $802K $766K $636K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.0x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$251,928
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,468
65% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,700
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,799 put Washington University in St Louis's Mathematics program 57% above the national median of $50,797 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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.

With first-year pay of $79,799 far exceeding the $18,700 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #170 of 253 Mathematics programs, Washington University in St Louis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Washington University in St Louis

Washington University in St Louis's 12% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 7,897 in Saint Louis, MO. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,468 — 65% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington University in St Louis →

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

Compare this program → View all 253 schools offering Mathematics →

Mathematics at Other Schools

Duke University ($121,088) Tufts University ($110,512) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($109,288) Dartmouth College ($108,255) Vanderbilt University ($103,812) University of Chicago ($100,421) Bowdoin College ($90,213) Georgetown University ($88,081)

Other Majors at Washington University in St Louis

Computer Science ($110,302) Business/Managerial Economics ($106,701) Finance and Financial Management Services ($102,814) Systems Engineering ($83,874) Mechanical Engineering ($72,057) Marketing ($70,819) Chemical Engineering ($69,801) Economics ($66,325)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Mathematics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mathematics at Washington University in St Louis?
This program scores 53/100 — 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 $636,008 in decade earnings vs $802,205 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Washington University in St Louis a hidden gem for Mathematics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $88,468 over four years — 65% below the $251,928 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →