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Applied Mathematics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,275/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 44 Applied Mathematics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $823K $790K $658K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 12.8x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.4x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Applied Mathematics graduates command $82,275/yr out of the gate, well above the $62,640 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Applied Mathematics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Applied Mathematics's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,000 in median debt clears quickly against $82,275 in annual earnings.

At #20 of 44 Applied Mathematics programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 30,435 in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Actuaries $125,770/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 44 schools offering Applied Mathematics →

Applied Mathematics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($114,279) Brown University ($99,193) Stevens Institute of Technology ($97,700) Northwestern University ($94,684) Columbia University in the City of New York ($91,559) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($82,523) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($82,152) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($75,105)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735) Mechanical Engineering ($78,280)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Applied Mathematics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Applied Mathematics field.
Will AI replace Applied Mathematics careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $658,374 in decade earnings vs $823,157 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →