Applied Mathematics at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's Applied Mathematics program delivers something rare: strong earnings paired with remarkably low debt. With graduates owing just $14,400—less than one-fifth of their first-year salary and well below both state and national medians—students leave with financial breathing room that most math majors can only dream of. That debt level ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning this is among the least burdensome programs in the country.

The earnings trajectory tells an equally compelling story. Starting at $61,000, graduates see their income jump 33% to over $81,000 by year four, outpacing the typical mid-50s starting point for California math programs. While UCLA doesn't quite match Berkeley or USC's top-tier earnings, it beats most UC campuses and ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—solid performance in a competitive market. The math here is straightforward: you're getting outcomes comparable to mid-tier California programs but with debt loads that belong to a different category entirely.

For parents worried about STEM degree costs, this represents the sweet spot. Your child gets the prestige and network of a 9% admission rate institution, avoids the crushing debt loads common at private competitors, and emerges with both strong starting prospects and clear upward momentum. The combination of manageable debt and steady income growth creates a foundation for actual financial security, not just eventual payoff.