Applied Mathematics at San Diego State University

San Diego State's applied mathematics program shows concerning first-year outcomes that fall significantly below both state and national expectations, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not tell the full story. At $42,856, starting earnings land in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among California programs—roughly $14,000 below the state median and $18,000 below the national average. For context, UC Davis graduates in this field start at $54,000, while UCLA and Berkeley grads exceed $60,000.

The debt burden of $24,563 isn't unusually high compared to national norms, but it's notably above California's median of $15,133 for this major. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 means graduates carry debt equal to about seven months of their first-year salary—manageable on paper, but only if those earnings grow substantially in subsequent years. The program serves a meaningful number of Pell-eligible students (31%), suggesting it provides access to students who might otherwise struggle to afford a math degree.

The small sample size is the critical caveat here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, even a handful of students pursuing graduate school or taking gap years could artificially depress these earnings figures. If your child is seriously considering this program, request more detailed outcomes data from the department and ask specifically about career placement rates and graduate school matriculation. The gap between these numbers and California's stronger programs suggests this may not be the best value for an applied math degree in-state.