Trained mathematicians can be found in a wide range of career sectors, from science and technology to corporate finance and education. In order to obtain the skills required for this line of work, you’ll need to enroll at an accredited, upstanding academic institution ― and for many prospective students, selecting the right program can be quite difficult. This article will discuss the accreditation requirements for online math degree programs, list some of the most reputable schools for this field of study, and share some career-oriented data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- School Search
- Accreditation Agencies
- Career Options
- Notable Schools
School Search
Accredited Online Colleges Database
Accreditation Agencies
While the college or university you select should be either nationally or regionally accredited, there aren’t any programmatic accreditation agencies that specifically recognize math programs. However, the following agencies are responsible for accrediting programs that are concentrated in mathematics; all four of these organizations have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Options
Mathematics is a wide-reaching field that can prepare graduates for successful careers in many different sectors. The following table includes some of the most popular job choices for math majors, accompanied by employment and salary figures from the BLS.
| Job Title | National Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematician | 3,100 | $47.78 | $99,380 |
| Statistician | 25,100 | $35.02 | $72,380 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher (Postsecondary) | 53,350 | $36.60 | $73,190 |
| Actuary | 21,700 | $42.14 | $87,650 |
| Operations Research Analyst | 64,600 | $34.12 | $70,960 |
Figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012
Notable Schools
Picking a school can be a daunting task, especially when considering the sheer number of accredited colleges there are across the nation. Our database below can help with narrowing down your options for your specific program. In addition, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most notable online and campus-based schools offering degrees in this subject to help you begin your school search.
Online
With the steady rise in web-based education during the last decade, it should come as no surprise that prospective math majors have plenty of online programs to choose from. The following institutions have been recognized for their distance-learning math offerings; please note that while all of these programs are primarily conducted online, some may include minimal on-campus obligations.
University of Illinois Online
Springfield, Illinois / Online
U of I Online offers a web-based bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences that is entirely self-paced; students may complete assignments at their convenience, and all online materials are accessible 24 hours a day. In addition to the 60-credit undergraduate program, the school also offers several online master’s programs that focus on mathematics. These include degrees in civil and environmental engineering, computer science (available through two campuses), and measurement, evaluation, statistics, and assessment.
State University of New York Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, New York / Online
SUNY Empire State College offers three Bachelor of Science degrees focused on science, technology, and mathematics (STM) fields: applied mathematics, environmental studies, and information systems. Students may complete these degrees almost entirely online by enrolling in distance-learning courses. The school has earned a stellar reputation due to its extensive online library, qualified faculty members, and learning support services for remote students. According to recent news, Empire State College is continuing to grow and improve their online education offerings.
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington / Online
UW has earned an outstanding reputation for its STEM-related offerings. In addition, the National Research Council has tied UW with Princeton as the top school for their applied mathematics graduate program. Today’s students may choose to enroll in a full- or part-time online Master of Science in Applied Mathematics program. The curriculum is geared toward strong independent learners, and a degree may be earned within one to three years. This program is suitable for any student who wishes to pursue a career in engineering, mathematical research, manufacturing, and other related fields.
Campus Only
Despite the surging popularity of online courses, brick-and-mortar education is still alive and well. The following colleges and universities are among the leading providers of campus-based math programs in the United States.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Regarded as one of the leading STEM-focused learning institutions in the world, MIT has ranked #1 on U.S. News and World Report‘s list of best schools for math and offers four undergraduate degrees in this field: general mathematics, applied mathematics, theoretical mathematics, and mathematics with computer science. Additionally, the school’s mathematics department hosts the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which facilitates roughly 70 different projects every year. Ph.D. programs for pure and applied mathematics are also available through MIT.
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
Regarded as one of the finest universities in the country, Princeton has come in 1st on U.S. News and World Report‘s best national schools list, and 2nd on their best schools for math list. Princeton’s undergraduate mathematics program is designed to educate students about the fundamentals of the field; real and complex analysis, algebra, geometry, and calculus are all covered, and juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to take part in seminars and independent work projects. Princeton also offers a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
University of California, Los Angeles, received a spot in the top ten for U.S. News and World Report‘s best colleges for math list. The school also earned 2nd place for best public schools. In addition to undergraduate degrees in general and applied mathematics, UCLA offers five specialized bachelor’s programs that combine mathematics with other related fields, such as computation, education, economics, and actuarial finance. Graduate-level programs focused on areas such as discrete mathematics and combinatorics, logic, and analysis are also available at UCLA.