Applied Mathematics at University of California-Merced

UC Merced's applied mathematics program shows a troubling first-year outcome—graduates earn $39,138, ranking in just the 10th percentile among California programs and well below the state median of $56,789. That's roughly $18,000 less than what typical California applied math graduates earn initially, and nearly $22,000 below the national benchmark. Among the UC system's math programs, Merced trails significantly behind Berkeley, UCLA, and even UC Davis.

However, there's a critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically unreliable. The 68% earnings jump to $65,623 by year four suggests the low starting figure may not reflect the program's true trajectory, though even that four-year number lags behind what top California programs deliver in year one. The manageable debt of $16,497—below both state and national medians—does provide some buffer against the earnings risk.

For parents considering this program, the small sample size means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few data points. The serving of a high-need population (59% Pell recipients) may also influence early career paths. Unless your student has specific reasons to choose Merced over other UC options with proven track records, the uncertainty here is hard to justify when schools like UC Davis offer more reliable outcomes at similar debt levels.