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Mathematics at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,798/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)

ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #145 of 253 Mathematics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mathematics graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$800K	$764K	$635K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.7x	13.1x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.4x	4.2x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	65%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	57	56	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$58,240

Out-of-state: $181,348 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$66,428

-14% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,050

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$76,366

87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Santa Cruz's Mathematics graduates start at $40,798/yr, trailing the $50,797 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mathematics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mathematics's typical career paths, with 65% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,050 in median debt clears quickly against $40,798 in annual earnings.

Ranked #145 of 253 Mathematics programs, University of California-Santa Cruz falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $76,366 show a 87% jump from the $40,798 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 17,812 students in Santa Cruz, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Cruz →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Mathematicians $121,680/yr

Data scientists $112,590/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Cruz

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mathematics at University of California-Santa Cruz?

This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mathematics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Mathematics careers?

With 65% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $634,935 in decade earnings vs $800,248 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Mathematics from University of California-Santa Cruz?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →