What students report

76% recommend

Review sample

  • Sophomore117%
  • Junior233%
  • Senior233%
  • Alumni117%
Career prospects-0.4

0.0/5 here

Lower career outlook here

Elsewhere 3.7Here 3.3
Enjoyment-0.3

0.0/5 here

Lower enjoyment here

Elsewhere 3.9Here 3.6
Difficulty+0.3

0.0/5 here

More difficult here

Elsewhere 3.5Here 3.9

What stands out

  • Lower career outlook. Career prospects is 0.4 points lower than the same major at other schools.
  • More demanding. Difficulty is 0.3 points higher than the same major at other schools.

Student voice

Why students feel that way

Patterns tell us what is happening. Student accounts explain why.

Distinctive themes

No distinctive review themes have cleared the evidence threshold yet.

Representative perspectives

Anonymous student
If you're a quant person, this will not be a boring major! Rigorous proof-based maths courses will sharpen your analytical thinking and a specialized applied field in financial mathematics is very helpful in job aspect.

Courses & teaching

Anonymous student
Studying Applied Mathematics at USC has been both challenging and rewarding. The program is highly quantitative and pushes you to think critically and abstractly while also connecting theory to real-world applications. You’ll…

Courses & teaching

Anonymous student
As a sophomore in Applied Math, I love how the major blends theory with real-world problem solving. The courses are challenging but rewarding, especially when you see math modeling actual phenomena. Be ready for lots of…

Courses & teaching

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Complete evidence

Student reviews

6 reviews

Tone
Courses & teachingPositive

If you're a quant person, this will not be a boring major! Rigorous proof-based maths courses will sharpen your analytical thinking and a specialized applied field in financial mathematics is very helpful in job aspect.

Anonymous studentGraduated
Math
5.0/5
Writing
1.0/5
Jan 2026
Courses & teachingMixed

Studying Applied Mathematics at USC has been both challenging and rewarding. The program is highly quantitative and pushes you to think critically and abstractly while also connecting theory to real-world applications. You’ll take core classes in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations early on, and then move into advanced topics like probability theory, numerical analysis, and optimization.

Anonymous studentJunior
Math
5.0/5
Writing
2.0/5
Oct 2025
Courses & teachingPositive

As a sophomore in Applied Math, I love how the major blends theory with real-world problem solving. The courses are challenging but rewarding, especially when you see math modeling actual phenomena. Be ready for lots of programming and collaboration—it’s not just pencil and paper! Definitely recommend if you enjoy logical thinking and want versatile career options.

Anonymous studentSophomore
Math
5.0/5
Writing
2.0/5
Oct 2025
Difficulty & workloadPositive

Needs lots of work and time to get good grades in this major. But as long as you put enough effort into it and have interest in it, you will be fine.

Anonymous studentSenior
Difficulty
4.0/5
Workload
4.0/5
Jul 2025
Difficulty & workloadCritical

I hate math. It is very useless and hard to learn. I got a solid degree compare with many other majors. The average for my math elective is 50/100. The professor do not always curve, and the department is not that good.

Anonymous studentJunior
Difficulty
5.0/5
Workload
5.0/5
Oct 2025
Courses & teachingMixed

It is a journey with mixed feelings and expectations. The classes and contents can be harder than you think. But if you can survive most of the courses, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Anonymous studentSenior
Math
5.0/5
Writing
5.0/5
Oct 2025

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