Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
A debt load around $15,500 makes San Francisco State's Applied Mathematics program one of the more affordable options in California, where similar programs typically carry debt closer to $21,000 nationally. With an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, graduates from comparable programs in the state would need just over three months of their first-year salary to cover their educational borrowing—a manageable starting point for a technical degree.
The earnings picture based on peer California programs shows first-year salaries around $57,000, which trails the national median by about $4,000 but aligns with the state average. This puts San Francisco State closer to UC Davis ($54,000) than to Berkeley or UCLA (both above $60,000). For context, the top quartile of applied math programs nationally produce first-year earnings above $71,000, suggesting room exists for stronger outcomes depending on which industry sectors graduates enter and how effectively they leverage the Bay Area's tech economy.
The value proposition here hinges on cost control. If your student can graduate with debt near these estimated levels while building the programming and analytical skills that make applied math graduates marketable, the financial foundation is solid. The real question is whether SF State's career services and industry connections can help convert that degree into opportunities that match the region's higher cost of living—a factor the raw earnings data doesn't capture but matters significantly in San Francisco.
Where San Francisco State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all applied mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Applied Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco | $7,424 | $56,789* | — | $15,516* | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $71,814* | $120,626 | $14,598* | 0.20 |
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $71,622* | $72,484 | $12,251* | 0.17 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $61,188* | $81,414 | $14,400* | 0.24 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $59,638* | $86,227 | $17,000* | 0.29 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $53,940* | $76,162 | $14,750* | 0.27 |
| 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 San Francisco State University, approximately 41% 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 median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.