Analysis
Georgia Tech's Applied Mathematics program appears positioned above the state median, with comparable programs nationally suggesting first-year earnings around $61,000 against estimated debt of $21,000. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—roughly four months of gross income to cover total borrowing—though it's worth noting these figures come from peer institutions rather than Tech's own graduates in this major.
The muted earnings growth between year one and year four ($61,000 to $65,000) is curious for a program at such a selective institution. Similar programs at top-tier schools often see steeper trajectories as graduates move into quantitative finance, tech, or advanced analytics roles. Whether this reflects the particular career paths Tech's applied math majors choose or simply the limitations of estimated data is impossible to know. The school's 16% admission rate and 1447 average SAT suggest a competitive student body that might command higher compensation than these estimates indicate.
For families considering this investment, the estimated debt load is reasonable, and Tech's reputation in quantitative fields could open doors that aren't captured in these peer-based projections. But given the data limitations, you'd want to dig into actual career outcomes through Tech's career center—where do their applied math graduates actually land, and what do they earn? The estimates suggest safety, but not necessarily the premium you might expect from this caliber of program.
Where Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | — | $64,844 | — |
| Harvard University | $114,279 | $166,324 | +46% |
| Brown University | $99,193 | $125,979 | +27% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $71,814 | $120,626 | +68% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $75,105 | $104,439 | +39% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta | $11,764 | $60,930* | $64,844 | $21,000* | — |
 Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw | $5,786 | $50,007* | — | $28,000* | 0.56 |
| National Median | — | $60,930* | — | $21,393* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with applied mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.