Analysis
Applied mathematics programs in California span a wide range—from UC Berkeley's $71,814 to UC Davis's $53,940 for first-year earnings. Based on comparable programs statewide, UC Santa Cruz falls near the middle of this pack at an estimated $56,789, just below the national median of $60,930. That's a noticeable gap from the state's elite programs, though still solid territory for a quantitative degree.
The estimated debt load of $15,516 works in this program's favor, producing a comfortable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio. Similar UC programs across California typically generate lower debt than the national median of $21,393, and this estimate aligns with that pattern. For a field where many graduates pursue further education or entry-level technical positions before higher earnings kick in, starting with manageable debt provides flexibility.
The catch is uncertainty: these figures come from peer programs rather than actual outcomes for Santa Cruz's applied math graduates specifically. The program could outperform or underperform these estimates depending on factors like the strength of its quantitative curriculum, industry connections in the Bay Area tech sector, or whether graduates pursue data science versus other applied math career paths. Given the moderate debt estimate and reasonable starting salary typical of California applied math programs, the risk profile appears acceptable—but recognize you're making this decision with borrowed data rather than a clear track record.
Where University of California-Santa Cruz 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz | $14,560 | $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 University of California-Santa Cruz, approximately 32% 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.