Mathematics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Mathematics is a foundational discipline dedicated to the exploration of patterns, structures, and relationships through rigorous logical reasoning and abstract representation. This program equips students with advanced analytical skills and a deep understanding of quantitative and spatial concepts, preparing them for diverse careers in research, technology, finance, education, and beyond.
- Algebra: The study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating them, forming the backbone of problem-solving across scientific and engineering fields.
- Calculus: A branch focused on rates of change and accumulation, essential for modeling dynamic systems in physics, economics, and engineering.
- Functional Analysis: An advanced area examining spaces of functions and their linear operators, critical in quantum mechanics and partial differential equations.
- Geometry: The investigation of shapes, sizes, and properties of space, ranging from classical Euclidean forms to modern non-Euclidean and differential geometries.
- Number Theory: A pure mathematical field exploring the properties and relationships of integers, with applications in cryptography and computer science.
- Logic: The formal study of valid reasoning and inference, providing the framework for mathematical proof and computational theory.
- Topology: The examination of properties preserved under continuous deformations, offering insights into the structure of spaces in advanced mathematics and theoretical physics.
Mathematics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Mathematics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Mathematics degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Mathematicians and Data Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,492,350 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Mathematicians 15-2021 | $121,680 | $63,430 - $187,660 | 2,220 | $58.50 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Statisticians 15-2041 | $103,300 | $60,390 - $170,700 | 29,800 | $49.66 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1022 | $79,350 | $48,150 - $161,020 | 48,820 | N/A |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other 15-2099 | $71,490 | $40,330 - $154,140 | 4,660 | $34.37 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
Mathematics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,058 in Louisiana to $145,281 in California—a 107% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,492,350 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Mathematics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Mathematics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Mathematics is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (362 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (294 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (254 graduates), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (249 graduates), and University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (242 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 11,164 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
362 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
294 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
254 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
|
249 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
242 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
226 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
223 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
220 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
214 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
199 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
199 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
185 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Associate's
|
180 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
179 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
164 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
164 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
156 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
154 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
153 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
147 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
143 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
133 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
132 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
129 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
129 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
129 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
125 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
125 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
124 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
121 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Associate's
|
120 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
119 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
118 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
116 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
108 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
106 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
106 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
103 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
103 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| De Anza College |
Associate's
|
101 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Associate's
|
96 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
96 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
94 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) |
Associate's
|
94 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | sbcc.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
|
93 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
93 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
|
92 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
91 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
|
90 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
90 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
90 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
89 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
88 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
88 | Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
87 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
83 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Ohlone College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
82 | Fremont, California | Public | ohlone.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
81 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
80 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
80 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
78 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
78 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
|
77 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
76 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
76 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
76 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
74 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
74 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Moorpark College |
Associate's
|
68 | Moorpark, California | Public | moorparkcollege.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
66 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
66 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Associate's
|
63 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
62 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
60 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District (MSJC) |
Associate's
|
60 | San Jacinto, California | Public | msjc.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
60 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
60 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Mathematics programs
How much can I earn with a Mathematics degree?
Salaries for Mathematics graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Mathematicians earn around $121,680. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $145,281 compared to $70,058 in Louisiana. Approximately 1,492,350 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Mathematics programs?
Currently 1,305 accredited institutions offer Mathematics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (362 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (294 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (254 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Mathematics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 20,538 in 2010 to a peak of 30,642 in 2020, before declining slightly to 25,163 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Mathematics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Mathematicians, and Data Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,492,350 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Mathematics Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Mathematics field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Mathematics and Statistics
A program with a general synthesis of mathematics and statistics or a specialization which draws from mathematics and statistics. Includes instruction in calculus,...
Statistics
Any instructional program in statistics not listed above.
Applied Statistics
A program that focuses on the application of statistics to the solution of functional problems in fields such as business, engineering, medicine, and...
Mathematics and Statistics
Any instructional program in mathematics and statistics not listed above.
Algebra and Number Theory
A program that focuses on the expression of quantities and their relationships by means of symbols, vectors, matrices, and equations, and the properties...
Topology and Foundations
A program that focuses on the properties of unaltered geometric configurations under conditions of continuous, multi-directional transformations. Includes instruction in mathematical logic, proof...