Mathematics at University of California-San Diego

UC San Diego's mathematics program punches well above its weight within California, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide—a significant achievement in a state with 67 competing programs. The $52,339 starting salary trails only Cal Poly SLO and Pomona College among major California institutions, and sits nearly $14,000 above the state median for math graduates. With debt of just $16,250 and steady earnings growth to $56,452 by year four, the financial fundamentals are sound.

The 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary—manageable by any standard. While the program ranks in the 65th percentile nationally (solid but not elite), this matters less than the strong performance against California peers, since most families will be comparing in-state options. The 8% earnings growth demonstrates stability rather than explosive career trajectory, but mathematics careers often build gradually as graduates move into specialized roles or graduate programs.

For families weighing UC San Diego against other UC campuses, this program delivers better early-career outcomes than Berkeley, UCSB, and UC Irvine despite similar academic prestige. The combination of reasonable debt, competitive starting salaries, and UC San Diego's selective reputation (25% admission rate) makes this a strong value proposition for students committed to mathematics.