Mathematics is a fundamental skill in many fields of engineering and technology. Mastering it provides the necessary analytical and problem-solving skills that are essential for successful performance in engineering, data analysis, or other technical professions. Mathematical skills are widely used in building models, performing calculations, and analysing data, which are important for making sound technical and business decisions. Based on expectancy-value theory, which examines how the practical importance of a task influences an individual’s motivation to learn and achieve, the study focuses on how students evaluate the importance of mathematics in relation to their future career needs, as the usefulness of mathematics in a profession can influence students’ motivation to study the subject more deeply and more fully. A clear understanding of the practical applications of mathematics enables students to see the direct relevance of their studies to future career opportunities, thereby increasing their motivation and engagement in the learning process. The study was conducted at four universities in two countries - Latvia and Estonia. The results of the study indicate a moderate positive correlation between the practical application of mathematics knowledge in engineering and students’ perceptions of its role in cognitive development, which is essential for engineering professionals. The integration of mathematics into engineering programs significantly affects students’ perceptions of its usefulness: the more actively mathematics is used in the engineering curriculum, the more students see its value in promoting engineering skills.