Compare 31 Mathematics. programs in California. Average earnings: $55,511.
With top graduates earning $91,342, Mathematics stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $36K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across California's 31 ranked programs.
Santa Clara University's Mathematics program leads with graduates earning $91,342, well above the state average of $55,511. But UC Los Angeles follows closely at $77,892 with a massive 145-graduate cohort, while UC Santa Cruz delivers $71,946—demonstrating that public programs compete effectively against private institutions.
Highest program earnings: $91,342
Strong outcomes ($71,946) with 63% acceptance
3.5% payment burden | Excellent
9.9% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $91,342 | 28 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #2 | $77,892 | 145 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #3 | $71,946 | 115 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $70,461 | 289 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #5 | $65,655 | 42 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $64,574 | 198 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $64,374 | 99 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good | |
| #8 | $62,558 | 36 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $59,721 | 22 | $16,600 | Excellent | $9,000 | Good | |
| #10 | $59,660 | 52 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Good | |
| #11 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $58,999 | 18 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | High |
| #12 | Occidental CollegePrivate | $57,318 | 13 | $23,000 | Good | $51,450 | High |
| #13 | $56,452 | 252 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $55,955 | 57 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $55,468 | 34 | $12,750 | Excellent | $16,836 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $55,381 | 81 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $55,033 | 34 | $14,505 | Excellent | $12,050 | Good | |
| #18 | $54,406 | 103 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $53,675 | 43 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #20 | $53,411 | 34 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $52,889 | 85 | $14,715 | Excellent | $12,000 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $52,107 | 108 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $52,107 | 60 | $18,000 | Good | $0 | Good |
| #24 | $51,363 | 187 | $17,500 | Good | $18,275 | Challenging | |
| #25 | Pomona CollegePrivate | $50,712 | 44 | $11,782 | Excellent | $27,861 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
