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# Best Mathematics Colleges in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Applied Mathematics](/rankings/best-applied-mathematics-programs-in-california/)[Mathematics](/rankings/best-mathematics-programs-in-california/)

This page ranks the 34 schools in California that offer Mathematics by the median earnings of Mathematics graduates four years after completing, highest first. [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $114,800 four years after completing.

Across the 32 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $114,800 to $28,236, with a median of $70,469.

Public institutions account for 27 of the 34 listed schools, alongside 7 private nonprofits. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967.

University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

34 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Mathematics Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $114,800 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
|  | [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) reports [$114,800 in median earnings](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/outcomes/) of Mathematics graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 11%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Applied Mathematics (254 graduates), Statistics (123 graduates), Mathematics (96 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Statistics ($133,986), Applied Mathematics ($118,414), Mathematics ($80,654) |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $104,249 | $12,548 | $5,579 | 9.0% |
|  | With [median earnings of $104,249](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/outcomes/) four years after completing, [University of California-Los Angeles](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 93%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Applied Mathematics (347 graduates), Statistics (228 graduates), Mathematics (193 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Statistics ($109,017), Applied Mathematics ($103,887), Mathematics ($99,269) |
| 3 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $98,157 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) posts [median earnings of $98,157](/school/university-of-southern-california/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Applied Mathematics (147 graduates), Mathematics (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Applied Mathematics ($101,094) |
| 4 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | $97,071 | $13,807 | \-$2,536\* | 3.6% |
|  | [Stanford University](/school/stanford-university/majors/) [admits 4% of applicants](/school/stanford-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $97,071 for its Mathematics graduates two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (71 graduates), Applied Mathematics (43 graduates) |
| 5 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $95,925 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 83%](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/outcomes/), [University of California-Santa Barbara](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/majors/) shows median earnings of $95,925 four years after completing a Mathematics degree. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Statistics (291 graduates), Applied Mathematics (215 graduates), Mathematics (132 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Applied Mathematics ($109,360), Statistics ($90,778), Mathematics ($85,391) |
| 6 | Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA | No published median | $50,062 | $22,985 | 48.0% |
|  | [Santa Clara University](/school/santa-clara-university/majors/) ranks 6th on this list and reports an [average net price of $22,985](/school/santa-clara-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (28 graduates) |
| 7 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,418 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
|  | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) posts [median earnings of $90,418](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/outcomes/) four years after completing and an admission rate of 31%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (62 graduates), Statistics (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($83,187) |
| 8 | Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA | $88,080 | $38,263 | $20,705 | 44.2% |
|  | Occidental College reports an average net price of $38,263 and a six-year completion rate of 81%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (11 graduates) |
| 9 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $83,325 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
|  | [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) [ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $83,325 for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (239 graduates), Applied Mathematics (146 graduates), Statistics (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Applied Mathematics ($85,233), Mathematics ($79,015) |
| 10 | University of California-Merced · Merced, CA | $82,156 | $11,983 | $7,945 | 90.5% |
|  | An [average net price of $7,945](/school/university-of-california-merced/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with an admission rate of 91% at [University of California-Merced](/school/university-of-california-merced/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Applied Mathematics (36 graduates) |
| 11 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $80,055 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
|  | [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) reports [median earnings of $80,055](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/outcomes/) four years after completing and an average net price of $6,555. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (75 graduates) |
| 12 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $79,222 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
|  | [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 86%](/school/university-of-california-davis/outcomes/) and median earnings of $79,222 for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Statistics (239 graduates), Applied Mathematics (107 graduates), Mathematics (97 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Statistics ($88,033), Mathematics ($72,640), Applied Mathematics ($65,508) |
| 13 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $77,891 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
|  | [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) reports [median earnings of $77,891](/school/california-state-university-chico/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing, and ranks 91st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($77,891) |
| 14 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $77,472 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 87%](/school/university-of-california-irvine/outcomes/), [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) admits 29% of applicants and shows an average net price of $14,251. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (312 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($77,472) |
| 15 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $71,323 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
|  | [San Francisco State University](/school/san-francisco-state-university/majors/) ranks 15th on this list and posts a 96% admission rate alongside an [average net price of $12,278](/school/san-francisco-state-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (22 graduates), Applied Mathematics (12 graduates), Statistics (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($71,323) |
| 16 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $70,677 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
|  | [California State University-Los Angeles](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967 and [ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (40 graduates) |
| 17 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $70,628 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
|  | An [average net price of $6,857](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $70,628 for Mathematics graduates four years after completing at [California State University-Channel Islands](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (36 graduates) |
| 18 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $70,310 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
|  | [San Diego State University](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) [admits 36% of applicants](/school/san-diego-state-university/admissions/) and graduates 76% of its students within six years, while its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $70,310 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Applied Mathematics (42 graduates), Statistics (38 graduates), Mathematics (37 graduates) |
| 19 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $68,900 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
|  | [California State University-Dominguez Hills](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/majors/) ranks 19th on this list with [median earnings of $68,900](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 43%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (32 graduates) |
| 20 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $66,352 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
|  | [University of California-Riverside](/school/university-of-california-riverside/majors/) shows an [average net price of $14,304](/school/university-of-california-riverside/cost/) and a 76% admission rate, and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $66,352 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (185 graduates), Statistics (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($63,596) |
| 21 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $65,184 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
|  | [California State University-Stanislaus](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/majors/) [graduates 53% of its students within six years](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/outcomes/) and reports an average net price of $3,938 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (26 graduates) |
| 22 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $64,913 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
|  | [Sonoma State University](/school/sonoma-state-university/majors/) ranks 22nd on this list and reports [median earnings of $64,913](/school/sonoma-state-university/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing, alongside a 93% admission rate. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (18 graduates), Statistics (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($64,913) |
| 23 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $64,470 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
|  | [California State University-Bakersfield](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/majors/) posts an [average net price of $5,652](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 50%, while its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $64,470 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (42 graduates) |
| 24 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $63,077 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
|  | Ranking 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, [California State University-Northridge](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,077](/school/california-state-university-northridge/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($63,077) |
| 25 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $63,059 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
|  | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,059](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $11,531. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (92 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($63,059) |
| 26 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $62,943 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 59%](/school/california-state-university-monterey-bay/outcomes/), [California State University-Monterey Bay](/school/california-state-university-monterey-bay/majors/) ranks 26th on this list and posts an average net price of $13,663. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (21 graduates), Statistics (6 graduates) |
| 27 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $61,754 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
|  | [California State University-Long Beach](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/majors/) [admits 46% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/admissions/) and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $61,754 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (136 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($61,754) |
| 28 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $59,214 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
|  | [University of California-Santa Cruz](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/majors/) [ranks 109th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $59,214 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (116 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($59,214) |
| 29 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $59,162 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
|  | [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) reports an [average net price of $6,501](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $59,162 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($59,162) |
| 30 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $57,603 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
|  | An [average net price of $4,564](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/cost/) coincides with an Azimuth composite rank of 43rd among nonprofit four-year institutions at [California State University-San Bernardino](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mathematics ($57,603) |
| 31 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $55,664 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/) [graduates 57% of its students within six years](/school/california-state-university-fresno/outcomes/), and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $55,664 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (45 graduates) |
| 32 | Pomona College · Claremont, CA | No published median | $19,285 | $4,841 | 7.1% |
|  | [Pomona College](/school/pomona-college/majors/), a private nonprofit institution in Claremont, [admits 7% of applicants](/school/pomona-college/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 93%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (31 graduates) |
| 33 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $35,060 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
|  | [Chapman University](/school/chapman-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $35,060](/school/chapman-university/outcomes/) for its Mathematics graduates two years after completing, alongside an average net price of $46,555. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (6 graduates) |
| 34 | University of Redlands · Redlands, CA | $28,236 | $30,031 | $28,287 | 82.7% |
|  | [University of Redlands](/school/university-of-redlands/majors/) [ranks 651st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-redlands/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mathematics graduates earn a median of $28,236 two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mathematics (18 graduates) |

\* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Mathematics graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Mathematics earnings cohort in California appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 3 of the 34 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 32 schools with a published figure. University of California-Berkeley leads University of California-Los Angeles by $10,551, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $86,564.

## Job market context in California

Mathematics graduates in California enter occupations such as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Data Scientists, and Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $107,122, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $82,060. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 10.1% higher, with 31,600 projected openings a year, or about 592 openings a year for every hundred graduates, suggesting more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of Mathematics graduates four years after completing, which is a different measure from the occupation-wide wage figures shown here.

## Related rankings

-   Mathematics Colleges
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Mathematics Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-mathematics-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Mathematics Colleges in Wisconsin](/rankings/best-mathematics-colleges-in-wisconsin/)
-   Mathematics Colleges in California for Social Mobility