Math and physical sciences programs at US universities, ranked by graduate pay
170 programs at 91 universities, each on its own page. Ranked by what graduates earn five years after finishing, from the College Scorecard.
Where math and physical sciences graduates earn the most
Median pay of graduates who had federal aid, five years out. Hidden where too few graduates to publish.
| Rank | Program | Pay, five years out | Debt | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applied MathematicsHarvard, Massachusetts | $225,414 | Hidden | 4% |
| 2 | MathematicsMIT, Massachusetts | $201,041 | Hidden | 5% |
| 3 | StatisticsCMU, Pennsylvania | $176,087 | $19,500 | 12% |
| 4 | MathematicsAmherst, Massachusetts | $172,920 | $12,000 | 9% |
| 5 | MathematicsUChicago, Illinois | $171,304 | $12,000 | 5% |
| 6 | StatisticsHarvard, Massachusetts | $169,916 | Hidden | 4% |
| 7 | Applied MathematicsBrown, Rhode Island | $163,649 | $8,125 | 5% |
| 8 | MathematicsTufts, Massachusetts | $160,936 | $17,500 | 12% |
| 9 | Applied MathematicsStevens, New Jersey | $157,887 | $23,250 | 48% |
| 10 | StatisticsBerkeley, California | $156,494 | $15,533 | 11% |
| 11 | MathematicsDartmouth, New Hampshire | $156,136 | $12,500 | 5% |
| 12 | MathematicsCornell, New York | $155,471 | $11,235 | 9% |
| 13 | MathematicsWilliams, Massachusetts | $151,064 | $10,258 | 8% |
| 14 | MathematicsJohns Hopkins, Maryland | $150,482 | Hidden | 6% |
| 15 | Mathematics and Statistics, OtherNotre Dame, Indiana | $148,275 | $17,565 | 11% |
| 16 | MathematicsVanderbilt, Tennessee | $142,158 | $18,000 | 6% |
| 17 | Applied MathematicsBerkeley, California | $137,853 | $13,000 | 11% |
| 18 | MathematicsBC, Massachusetts | $132,520 | $19,000 | 16% |
| 19 | StatisticsNorthwestern, Illinois | $131,750 | $18,277 | 8% |
| 20 | StatisticsIllinois, Illinois | $131,606 | $15,000 | 42% |
| 21 | MathematicsColumbia, New York | $129,413 | Hidden | 4% |
| 22 | MathematicsNorthwestern, Illinois | $128,728 | $22,223 | 8% |
| 23 | MathematicsRPI, New York | $126,332 | $19,500 | 64% |
| 24 | MathematicsNortheastern, Massachusetts | $126,208 | $20,715 | 5% |
| 25 | MathematicsMichigan, Michigan | $123,984 | $18,828 | 16% |
| 26 | Applied MathematicsUConn, Connecticut | $123,510 | $20,717 | 52% |
| 27 | Applied MathematicsUNC, North Carolina | $122,255 | Hidden | 15% |
| 28 | StatisticsBYU, Utah | $122,036 | $12,500 | 68% |
| 29 | StatisticsUCLA, California | $120,021 | $12,924 | 9% |
| 30 | StatisticsUVA, Virginia | $118,895 | $9,370 | 17% |
| 31 | Applied MathematicsUCLA, California | $116,983 | $14,348 | 9% |
| 32 | PhysicsBerkeley, California | $115,578 | $13,911 | 11% |
| 33 | StatisticsMichigan, Michigan | $112,688 | $20,000 | 16% |
| 34 | StatisticsUC Davis, California | $111,930 | $11,000 | 42% |
| 35 | StatisticsUF, Florida | $111,117 | $13,455 | 24% |
| 36 | StatisticsUC San Diego, California | $110,045 | Hidden | 27% |
| 37 | MathematicsMaryland, Maryland | $108,336 | $17,158 | 45% |
| 38 | Applied MathematicsUSC, California | $106,770 | $18,625 | 10% |
| 39 | Applied MathematicsUC San Diego, California | $106,014 | $13,540 | 27% |
| 40 | PhysicsMaryland, Maryland | $104,655 | $19,140 | 45% |
| 41 | PhysicsUCSB, California | $104,045 | $12,804 | 33% |
| 42 | MathematicsUF, Florida | $103,440 | $10,273 | 24% |
| 43 | Applied MathematicsUC Davis, California | $102,405 | $11,000 | 42% |
| 44 | MathematicsNYU, New York | $102,315 | Hidden | 9% |
| 45 | MathematicsBerkeley, California | $101,998 | $13,955 | 11% |
| 46 | Applied MathematicsUCSB, California | $101,967 | $11,567 | 33% |
| 47 | PhysicsUChicago, Illinois | $101,865 | Hidden | 5% |
| 48 | MathematicsUCLA, California | $101,484 | $12,624 | 9% |
| 49 | StatisticsPurdue, Indiana | $100,650 | $18,000 | 50% |
| 50 | MathematicsRochester, New York | $100,041 | $19,250 | 40% |
| 51 | StatisticsNC State, North Carolina | $100,017 | $20,500 | 42% |
| 52 | Applied MathematicsTexas A&M, Texas | $99,039 | $19,070 | 57% |
| 53 | MathematicsUtah, Utah | $98,565 | $10,875 | 86% |
| 54 | ChemistryBerkeley, California | $98,220 | $11,137 | 11% |
| 55 | MathematicsUVA, Virginia | $97,398 | $19,212 | 17% |
| 56 | PhysicsUCLA, California | $97,335 | $13,856 | 9% |
| 57 | MathematicsUMBC, Maryland | $97,223 | $21,000 | 72% |
| 58 | PhysicsUC Irvine, California | $96,693 | $10,605 | 29% |
| 59 | PhysicsOhio State, Ohio | $96,219 | $20,943 | 61% |
| 60 | MathematicsUNC, North Carolina | $95,748 | $13,000 | 15% |
| 61 | StatisticsRutgers, New Jersey | $95,640 | $22,375 | 58% |
| 62 | PhysicsMichigan, Michigan | $95,305 | $19,139 | 16% |
| 63 | PhysicsArizona, Arizona | $95,279 | $14,679 | 86% |
| 64 | PhysicsUC San Diego, California | $94,942 | $11,407 | 27% |
| 65 | Applied MathematicsStony Brook, New York | $94,632 | $15,698 | 49% |
| 66 | MathematicsWisconsin, Wisconsin | $93,581 | $15,000 | 45% |
| 67 | MathematicsUT Austin, Texas | $93,298 | $15,443 | 27% |
| 68 | PhysicsCU Boulder, Colorado | $93,212 | $18,506 | 78% |
| 69 | MathematicsRutgers, New Jersey | $92,993 | $19,250 | 58% |
| 70 | Materials SciencesPenn State, Pennsylvania | $92,880 | $21,670 | 61% |
| 71 | MathematicsMinnesota, Minnesota | $92,727 | $17,750 | 80% |
| 72 | MathematicsUW, Washington | $92,558 | $12,627 | 39% |
| 73 | MathematicsUCSB, California | $92,300 | $13,000 | 33% |
| 74 | ChemistryUC San Diego, California | $91,369 | $13,511 | 27% |
| 75 | StatisticsPenn State, Pennsylvania | $91,358 | $23,250 | 61% |
| 76 | MathematicsArizona, Arizona | $90,692 | $14,229 | 86% |
| 77 | MathematicsBinghamton, New York | $90,269 | $19,500 | 39% |
| 78 | MathematicsUMass, Massachusetts | $90,251 | $20,651 | 60% |
| 79 | MathematicsCU Boulder, Colorado | $90,201 | $19,500 | 78% |
| 80 | PhysicsUW, Washington | $89,793 | $16,052 | 39% |
| 81 | StatisticsMiami (Ohio), Ohio | $88,880 | $23,500 | 75% |
| 82 | StatisticsUCSB, California | $87,748 | $13,800 | 33% |
| 83 | Applied MathematicsSJSU, California | $87,740 | Hidden | 85% |
| 84 | StatisticsUConn, Connecticut | $87,716 | $17,500 | 52% |
| 85 | MathematicsCal Poly, California | $87,645 | $16,851 | 31% |
| 86 | MathematicsClemson, South Carolina | $87,156 | $20,250 | 38% |
| 87 | MathematicsVirginia Tech, Virginia | $86,592 | $19,875 | 55% |
| 88 | ChemistryUT Austin, Texas | $86,424 | $17,184 | 27% |
| 89 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesPenn State, Pennsylvania | $86,327 | $24,250 | 61% |
| 90 | PhysicsPenn State, Pennsylvania | $85,810 | $20,500 | 61% |
| 91 | ChemistryUCSB, California | $85,571 | $14,499 | 33% |
| 92 | MathematicsUT Dallas, Texas | $85,301 | $21,759 | 65% |
| 93 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesTexas A&M, Texas | $85,174 | $17,279 | 57% |
| 94 | MathematicsPenn State, Pennsylvania | $84,810 | $23,250 | 61% |
| 95 | PhysicsUC Davis, California | $84,299 | $16,233 | 42% |
| 96 | MathematicsUC San Diego, California | $83,654 | $15,500 | 27% |
| 97 | PhysicsStony Brook, New York | $83,582 | Hidden | 49% |
| 98 | PhysicsNYU, New York | $83,530 | $18,125 | 9% |
| 99 | MathematicsStony Brook, New York | $82,221 | $15,735 | 49% |
| 100 | MathematicsUC Irvine, California | $82,200 | $11,000 | 29% |
| 101 | MathematicsASU, Arizona | $81,995 | $15,350 | 90% |
| 102 | MathematicsOregon State, Oregon | $81,971 | $17,771 | 77% |
| 103 | MathematicsNebraska, Nebraska | $81,620 | $19,314 | 88% |
| 104 | MathematicsIllinois, Illinois | $81,375 | $18,487 | 42% |
| 105 | ChemistryUC Irvine, California | $81,231 | $11,000 | 29% |
| 106 | ChemistryMinnesota, Minnesota | $81,002 | $15,500 | 80% |
| 107 | StatisticsFSU, Florida | $80,621 | $16,750 | 24% |
| 108 | ChemistryFIU, Florida | $80,445 | $12,132 | 55% |
| 109 | ChemistryUC Davis, California | $80,336 | $11,000 | 42% |
| 110 | MathematicsOhio State, Ohio | $80,217 | $17,435 | 61% |
| 111 | ChemistryStony Brook, New York | $80,113 | $19,481 | 49% |
| 112 | PhysicsUT Austin, Texas | $80,094 | $19,769 | 27% |
| 113 | Astronomy and AstrophysicsCU Boulder, Colorado | $79,907 | $19,108 | 78% |
| 114 | PhysicsWisconsin, Wisconsin | $78,654 | $20,375 | 45% |
| 115 | ChemistrySDSU, California | $78,153 | $19,405 | 36% |
| 116 | StatisticsMinnesota, Minnesota | $77,924 | $19,400 | 80% |
| 117 | MathematicsUCSC, California | $77,770 | $14,250 | 66% |
| 118 | MathematicsIowa, Iowa | $77,631 | $17,239 | 84% |
| 119 | ChemistryHunter, New York | $77,468 | $9,021 | 54% |
| 120 | MathematicsIowa State, Iowa | $77,375 | $18,625 | 89% |
| 121 | ChemistryUW, Washington | $77,187 | $12,438 | 39% |
| 122 | ChemistryTexas A&M, Texas | $76,980 | $15,000 | 57% |
| 123 | ChemistryVirginia Tech, Virginia | $76,915 | $25,945 | 55% |
| 124 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesUCSB, California | $76,188 | $16,500 | 33% |
| 125 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesUCSC, California | $76,175 | $15,000 | 66% |
| 126 | MathematicsUCF, Florida | $75,643 | $16,837 | 40% |
| 127 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesUW, Washington | $75,598 | $12,769 | 39% |
| 128 | Applied MathematicsWSU, Washington | $75,532 | $19,000 | 87% |
| 129 | MathematicsAlabama, Alabama | $75,530 | $21,700 | 77% |
| 130 | MathematicsBU, Massachusetts | $75,378 | $21,500 | 11% |
| 131 | ChemistryIllinois, Illinois | $75,339 | $18,231 | 42% |
| 132 | MathematicsUB, New York | $75,006 | $16,381 | 74% |
| 133 | MathematicsMichigan State, Michigan | $74,162 | $20,982 | 85% |
| 134 | MathematicsUC Davis, California | $73,734 | $10,743 | 42% |
| 135 | PhysicsMichigan State, Michigan | $72,555 | $24,088 | 85% |
| 136 | ChemistryUNC, North Carolina | $72,554 | $11,681 | 15% |
| 137 | ChemistryBinghamton, New York | $72,479 | $18,902 | 39% |
| 138 | ChemistryPitt, Pennsylvania | $72,093 | $27,000 | 58% |
| 139 | ChemistryPurdue, Indiana | $71,983 | $17,000 | 50% |
| 140 | ChemistryPenn State, Pennsylvania | $71,648 | $23,182 | 61% |
| 141 | ChemistryEmory, Georgia | $71,348 | $12,000 | 11% |
| 142 | ChemistryUCLA, California | $71,084 | $12,600 | 9% |
| 143 | MathematicsFSU, Florida | $70,313 | $11,149 | 24% |
| 144 | ChemistryVCU, Virginia | $69,729 | $19,674 | 93% |
| 145 | MathematicsTexas Tech, Texas | $69,541 | $24,500 | 73% |
| 146 | ChemistryASU, Arizona | $69,348 | $15,384 | 90% |
| 147 | ChemistryWisconsin, Wisconsin | $69,159 | $21,000 | 45% |
| 148 | ChemistryOhio State, Ohio | $69,012 | $16,500 | 61% |
| 149 | ChemistryUVA, Virginia | $68,925 | $15,500 | 17% |
| 150 | ChemistryGeorgia State, Georgia | $68,531 | $25,104 | 55% |
| 151 | MathematicsUCR, California | $68,403 | $17,763 | 76% |
| 152 | ChemistryApp State, North Carolina | $67,655 | $23,157 | 90% |
| 153 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesMichigan, Michigan | $66,895 | $17,750 | 16% |
| 154 | MathematicsCSULB, California | $66,748 | $11,007 | 46% |
| 155 | MathematicsUNT, Texas | $66,710 | $25,000 | 72% |
| 156 | ChemistryUSF, Florida | $66,173 | $14,250 | 43% |
| 157 | MathematicsPurdue, Indiana | $66,049 | $13,000 | 50% |
| 158 | ChemistryUF, Florida | $65,919 | $11,250 | 24% |
| 159 | MathematicsUH, Texas | $65,821 | $16,750 | 74% |
| 160 | ChemistryOU, Oklahoma | $65,586 | $17,921 | 77% |
| 161 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesMiss State, Mississippi | $64,554 | $22,979 | 78% |
| 162 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesArizona, Arizona | $63,756 | $19,387 | 86% |
| 163 | ChemistryUCR, California | $63,035 | $15,299 | 76% |
| 164 | ChemistryArkansas, Arkansas | $62,696 | $21,125 | 74% |
| 165 | ChemistryUAB, Alabama | $61,753 | $25,000 | 88% |
| 166 | ChemistryUCF, Florida | $61,667 | $15,181 | 40% |
| 167 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesPitt, Pennsylvania | $58,686 | $21,500 | 58% |
| 168 | MathematicsTexas A&M, Texas | $57,901 | $14,969 | 57% |
| 169 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesCharlotte, North Carolina | $56,713 | $21,500 | 80% |
| 170 | Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesWSU, Washington | $56,337 | $17,250 | 87% |
What careers do math and physical sciences programs lead to?
- ActuaryPut a price on risk. A math degree, a long ladder of exams, and a median of $130,000 a year.$130kTypical pay7 to 12 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- StatisticianDesign the study, run the numbers, and say honestly how sure you are.$106kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- PhysicistWork out how the universe behaves, then prove it. Almost everyone in this job holds a doctorate.$172kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- AgronomistThe science of soil and crops. You tell farmers what to plant, what to feed it and why the yield dropped.$79kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- Aquaculture TechnicianRaise fish and shellfish for food. Outdoors, on the water, in a small industry the country keeps saying it wants to grow.$50kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand
- AstronomerStudy stars, planets and galaxies for a living. A median of $128,820 a year, very few jobs, and a long road through a doctorate.$129kTypical pay9 to 14 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
Other fields at US universities
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Business
- Nursing
- Health sciences
- Life sciences
- Social sciences
- Arts
- Education
- Fine arts
- Architecture
- Undecided
Or every university on its own page: the full list.