Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

$Badge for BEST FOR MATH LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES$

By Dr. Jed Macosko and Dr. James Barham

Published: Nov 8, 2021
Updated: Oct 1, 2024

The best mathematics liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best math degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding math faculty.

Key Takeaways

Wesleyan University is the standout liberal arts college that offers the best math programs.
While Liberal Arts colleges traditionally focus less on STEM programs, there are world renowned programs available.
Liberal Arts colleges are ideal for students who prefer more peer-to-peer interaction and access to top tier instructors.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Liberal Arts College Math Programs in 2025

Wesleyan University
+5
Amherst College
+3
Swarthmore College
United States Military Academy
+6
Williams College
–4
Smith College
+13
Wellesley College
Barnard College
+4
United States Naval Academy
+4
Vassar College
+10

2025 Ranking Update

Moving into the 2025 school year, we saw significant movement in the top 10 liberal arts college math programs. Wesleyan University was the biggest winner as it climbed five ranking positions to dethrone Williams College for the #1 spot. Vassar and Smith College both made tremendous strides and broke into the top 10 after climbing 10 or more positions.

Wesleyan University’s climb to the #1 spot is at least partially explained but its investment in the Exley Science Center. This facility houses start of the art technology with fosters research and hands-on experience for STEM students. The Science Center also empowers math professors to pursue innovative research opportunities on-campus and involve students.

A bachelor’s degree in mathematics is an excellent starting point for a career in engineering, public health, economics, and much more. As a mathematics major, you’ll learn statistical analysis, linear algebra, differential equations, and a host of other foundational math subjects. Your mathematics degree will incorporate both theoretical concepts and practical applications in the full array of math sciences, including calculus, geometry, algorithms, and more. The best schools for mathematics are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of mathematics concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Mathematics bachelor’s degrees are the 41st most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics, ranking much higher for men at 27th versus 48th for women. For white and Hispanic men it ranks 28th, but for black people, the degree doesn’t enter the top 50 for neither men nor women. It’s most popular among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, for whom it ranks the 16th most sought after degree, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Mathematics Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Mathematics

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,749
Avg. Expenses*: $17,526
Avg. Starting Salary*: $46,342
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $59,525
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
Job Growth: 5.41%
Number of Jobs: 1,472,400
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers	7.49%	$157,740
Mathematicians	No data	$116,440
Data Scientists	36.03%	$108,020
Statisticians	11.73%	$104,110
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	3.25%	$81,020
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other	6.52%	$70,620
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	-0.64%	$65,220

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers	$157,740
Mathematicians	$116,440
Data Scientists	$108,020
Statisticians	$104,110
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$81,020
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other	$70,620
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$65,220

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Math and Liberal Arts

If you’re looking for schools that allow you to explore mathematics through various lenses and provide individualized mentorship for research, a liberal arts college might be the right fit for you. A liberal arts college, while some may not expect it, can be an excellent choice for math majors to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Benefits of Studying Mathematics in a Liberal Arts College

If you’re interested in exploring the best liberal arts colleges for math degrees, you’re most likely also considering the benefits of earning an undergraduate degree at a liberal arts college.

Liberal arts colleges have their own merits in education, and often they offer better advantages than more prominent universities. For one, students will be exposed to some liberal arts core courses instead of only focusing on pure mathematics, which will give them an advantage in the workplace.

Liberal arts colleges, because of their smaller student population, have a lower student-to-teacher ratio. This allows students to have more one-on-one time with their teachers. Therefore, you should expect to receive more specialized help from your professors at schools like Harvey Mudd or Williams College compared to other major universities such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

You’ll get to know your teachers well and eventually have these professors write personalized letters of recommendation on your behalf to enroll in graduate degree or doctoral programs at research universities or grad schools.

Students pursuing college math programs at liberal arts schools are encouraged to enroll in at least one humanities course to add to their math program. Interested students can develop novel ways to integrate their hobbies or comprehend their math curricula.

3-2 Programs

While it’s true that taking math at a smaller school means your school’s math department has less access to cutting-edge resources and facilities, cross-registration can help you make up for that. Many liberal arts colleges, like Harvey Mudd College, Amherst College, and Pomona College, are part of more prominent consortiums that let students from one school take classes at another.

Therefore, using the 3-2 and cross-registration methods, you can still pursue your interest in mathematical sciences if you think liberal arts universities are the perfect fit.

Prospects After Graduation

Enrolling in a liberal arts college won’t hinder you from applying for a graduate degree. In reality, you’ll be able to spend a significant amount of time obtaining hands-on research experience because liberal arts universities have many more specialized possibilities available only to undergraduates.

Graduates of smaller universities are twice as likely to obtain a math doctorate than graduates of more prominent universities. Liberal arts colleges prioritize assisting undergraduates as they navigate the internship and job search landscape through career services.

Some of the faculty members at Harvey Mudd College and Williams College have won national teaching awards. This means that students in these liberal arts colleges are sure to receive high-quality undergraduate education in mathematics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Math Bachelor’s Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in math can open numerous professional doors. Majoring in mathematics prepares you for a variety of careers analyzing and interpreting numbers and data, whether real or hypothetical. With a mathematics major, you hone your skills of logic and analysis to organize numbers, find patterns, and predict outcomes. This could suit you to work as a financial planning consultant for private clients, a cost analyst for a major firm, or a statistician for an important public health campaign.

Today, top influencers in mathematics are bringing new light to areas like Digital signal processing, Stochastic analysis, Mathematical digital art, Catastrophe theory, and much more.

Mathematics is a great major because of its versatility. Math majors can work in virtually any sector. Whether your interest is in finance, immigration, or transportation, there’s a math career for you. Mathematics professionals get to dig deep into data and apply their findings to challenges in healthcare, military strategy, space exploration, supply chain management, and so much more. Some math majors work in completely theoretical areas, solving centuries-old problems. Others teach teenagers and adults practical mathematics and advanced ideas. If you’re fascinated by numbers, patterns and shapes, you will likely have many career paths from which to choose.

Once you’ve declared your major in mathematics, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of math- and STEM-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized mathematics electives, there are several common courses that most math majors will be required to take, including:

Discrete Mathematics
Differential Equations
Calculus
Algorithms
Linear Algebra
Statistics
Applied Partial Differential Equations
Vector Calculus
Numerical Analysis
Differential Geometry

Earning a degree in mathematics can qualify you for a number of well-paying jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for mathematics majors is expected to grow at a dramatic rate of 33% by 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. And earnings are also significantly higher than the average for all occupations, with mathematicians and statisticians earning a median annual wage of $92,030 per year in 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in mathematics.

How do we determine the best mathematics liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Mathematics programs

The Best Mathematics Schools in Your State

Learn More About Mathematics

If you want to know more about mathematics, then check out our related content:

Learn how to major in math
Think about your next step and what you can do with a master’s degree in mathematics
Learn more about law from our interviews with influential mathematicians
Find out who are the most influential mathematicians today
Get free math resources online, with an emphasis on BIPOC student needs

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Liberal Arts College Math Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees

Last Year’s Ranking:

Last Year’s Ranking:

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Wesleyan University

Most Influential Alumni

Wesleyan University Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Amherst College

Most Influential Alumni

Amherst College Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Swarthmore College

Most Influential Alumni

Swarthmore College Mathematics Major Concentrations:

Most Influential Alumni

USMA Mathematics Majors:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Williams College

Most Influential Alumni

Williams College Mathematics Majors:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Smith College

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Smith College Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Wellesley College

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Wellesley College Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Barnard College

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Barnard College Mathematics Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

USNA Mathematics Tracks:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Vassar College

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Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Reed College

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Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Haverford College

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Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Kenyon College

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Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Colorado College

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Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Harvey Mudd College

Most Influential Alumni

HMC Mathematics Majors:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Claremont McKenna College

Most Influential Alumni

CMC Mathematics Major Sequences:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Macalester College

Most Influential Alumni

Macalester College Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Pitzer College

Most Influential Alumni

Pitzer College Mathematics Major:

Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo