Best Research Universities for Math Degrees

Badge for BEST FOR MATH RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

The best mathematics research universities 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.

Top 10 Research Universities Math Programs

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  1. Harvard University
  2. Princeton University
  3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  4. Stanford University
  5. University of California, Berkeley
  6. University of Chicago
  7. Columbia University
  8. Yale University
  9. California Institute of Technology
  10. Cornell University
  1. Harvard University
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. Columbia University
  4. University of Chicago
  5. Stanford University
  6. Yale University
  7. Princeton University
  8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  9. University of Michigan
  10. Cornell University
  1. University of Washington 53%
  2. University of Texas at Austin 29%
  3. University of Michigan 20%
  4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 20%
  5. University of Notre Dame 15%
  6. University of California, Berkeley 14%
  7. Carnegie Mellon University 14%
  8. University of Southern California 13%
  9. New York University 13%
  10. University of California, Los Angeles 11%
  1. University of Washington 20 to 1
  2. University of California, Berkeley 19 to 1
  3. University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
  4. University of Texas at Austin 17 to 1
  5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 13 to 1
  6. University of Michigan 11 to 1
  7. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  8. Cornell University 9 to 1
  9. University of Notre Dame 9 to 1
  10. New York University 8 to 1
  1. Columbia University $63,530
  2. Brown University $62,304
  3. University of Chicago $62,241
  4. University of Pennsylvania $61,710
  5. University of Southern California $61,503
  6. Cornell University $61,015
  7. Northwestern University $60,768
  8. Duke University $60,244
  9. Yale University $59,950
  10. Carnegie Mellon University $58,924
  1. University of Chicago $62,640
  2. Brown University $60,944
  3. University of Southern California $60,446
  4. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  5. University of Notre Dame $58,190
  6. Duke University $57,900
  7. California Institute of Technology $56,364
  8. Northwestern University $56,067
  9. Princeton University $56,010
  10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology $55,510
  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  2. University of Notre Dame
  3. University of Washington
  4. University of Southern California
  5. University of Texas at Austin
  6. Rice University
  7. Northwestern University
  8. Carnegie Mellon University
  9. Johns Hopkins University
  10. Duke University
  1. Rice University
  2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  3. University of Notre Dame
  4. Brown University
  5. Carnegie Mellon University
  6. Northwestern University
  7. University of Texas at Austin
  8. University of Southern California
  9. Duke University
  10. University of Washington
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4%
  2. Stanford University 4%
  3. Harvard University 4%
  4. Columbia University 4%
  5. California Institute of Technology 4%
  6. Princeton University 4%
  7. Yale University 5%
  8. University of Pennsylvania 6%
  9. University of Chicago 6%
  10. Duke University 6%
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  2. California Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  3. Stanford University 4 to 1
  4. Yale University 4 to 1
  5. Princeton University 4 to 1
  6. Harvard University 5 to 1
  7. Carnegie Mellon University 5 to 1
  8. University of Chicago 5 to 1
  9. Columbia University 6 to 1
  10. Duke University 6 to 1
  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $7,019
  2. University of Washington $10,927
  3. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  4. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  5. University of Texas at Austin $11,752
  6. University of Michigan $16,865
  7. Rice University $52,895
  8. Harvard University $55,587
  9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology $55,878
  10. Princeton University $56,010
  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $10,552
  2. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  3. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  4. University of Texas at Austin $12,050
  5. University of Washington $16,605
  6. University of Michigan $24,902
  7. Cornell University $29,500
  8. New York University $35,982
  9. University of Pennsylvania $38,732
  10. Yale University $45,700

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. It’s most popular among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders men, 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

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in mathematics.

Best Research Universities for Math Degrees

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $57,261
    Expenses: $26,277
    Starting Salary: $160,591
    Salary after 4 years: $202,245
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harvard University Math Major:

    • AB in Mathematics
    Source
  2. #2

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $57,410
    Expenses: $23,005
    Starting Salary: $134,269
    Salary after 4 years: $169,095
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Princeton University Math Major:

    • BS Mathematics
    • Applied & Computational Mathematics
    Source
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $57,986
    Expenses: $21,864
    Starting Salary: $177,332
    Salary after 4 years: $223,327
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    MIT Math Major Concentrations:

    • Applied Mathematics
    • Pure Mathematics
    • General Mathematics
    Source
  4. #4

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $58,416
    Expenses: $23,746
    Starting Salary: $163,131
    Salary after 4 years: $205,444
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Stanford University Math Major:

    • BS Mathematics
    Source
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    46K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of California, Berkeley

    Cost of Degree: $14,395
    Expenses: $28,648
    Starting Salary: $74,612
    Salary after 4 years: $98,459
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UC Berkeley Math Majors:

    • Applied Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Mathematics with a Teaching Concentration
    Source
  6. #6

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $62,940
    Expenses: $22,596
    Starting Salary: $118,914
    Salary after 4 years: $149,757
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Chicago Math Major:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    • BS in Applied Mathematics

    University of Chicago Math Major Specializations:

    • Economics
    Source
  7. #7

    Columbia University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Columbia University

    Cost of Degree: $65,508
    Expenses: $19,958
    Starting Salary: $133,461
    Salary after 4 years: $168,077
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Columbia University Math Major:

    • BS Mathmatics
    Source
  8. #8

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $62,250
    Expenses: $22,870
    Starting Salary: $143,620
    Salary after 4 years: $180,872
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Yale University Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    Source
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1555/35

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at California Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,864
    Expenses: $22,734
    Starting Salary: $122,724
    Salary after 4 years: $154,555
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    CalTech Math Major:

    • BS Mathmatics
    Source
  10. #10

    Cornell University

    Ithaca , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1470/33

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Cornell University

    Cost of Degree: $63,200
    Expenses: $19,996
    Starting Salary: $116,836
    Salary after 4 years: $147,140
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Cornell University Math Major:

    • BA in Mathematics
    Source
  11. #11

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    50K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $17,786
    Expenses: $16,820
    Starting Salary: $74,612
    Salary after 4 years: $98,459
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Michigan Math Majors:

    • Actuarial Mathematics
    • Mathematics of Finance and Risk Management
    • Pure Mathematics
    • Honors Mathematics
    • Mathematical Sciences
    Source
  12. #12

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $63,452
    Expenses: $22,286
    Starting Salary: $151,933
    Salary after 4 years: $191,340
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Pennsylvania Math Majors/Concentrations:

    • Mathematics with a concentration in Biological Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    Source
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    47K

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,401
    Expenses: $23,579
    Starting Salary: $69,135
    Salary after 4 years: $91,230
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UCLA Math Majors:

    • Mathematics
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Financial Actuarial Mathematics
    • Mathematics/ Applied Science
    • Mathematics of Computation
    • Mathematics for Teaching
    Source
  14. #14

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Brown University

    Cost of Degree: $65,046
    Expenses: $18,540
    Starting Salary: $102,866
    Salary after 4 years: $129,547
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Brown University Math Majors:

    • ScB in Mathematics
    • AB in Mathematics
    Source
  15. #15

    New York University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    60K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at New York University

    Cost of Degree: $58,168
    Expenses: $23,927
    Starting Salary: $90,744
    Salary after 4 years: $114,281
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    NYU Math Major:

    • BA in Mathematics
    Source
  16. #16

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Duke University

    Cost of Degree: $62,688
    Expenses: $20,061
    Starting Salary: $132,191
    Salary after 4 years: $166,478
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Duke University Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    Source
  17. #17

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Johns Hopkins University

    Cost of Degree: $60,480
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $103,097
    Salary after 4 years: $129,838
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    JHU Math Major:

    • BA in Mathematics
    Source
  18. #18

    Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Carnegie Mellon University

    Cost of Degree: $60,854
    Expenses: $18,886
    Starting Salary: $118,914
    Salary after 4 years: $149,757
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    CMU Math Major Concentrations:

    • Mathematical Sciences
    • Operations Research and Statistics
    • Statistics
    • Discrete Mathematics & Logic
    • Computational and Applied Mathematics
    Source
  19. #19

    Northwestern University

    Evanston , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Northwestern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,468
    Expenses: $25,926
    Starting Salary: $107,831
    Salary after 4 years: $135,799
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Northwestern University Math Major:

    • Mathematics
    Source
  20. #20

    Rice University

    Houston , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at Rice University

    Cost of Degree: $54,960
    Expenses: $19,150
    Starting Salary: $105,753
    Salary after 4 years: $133,182
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Rice University Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    Source
  21. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/29

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Texas at Austin

    Cost of Degree: $11,698
    Expenses: $18,548
    Starting Salary: $69,796
    Salary after 4 years: $92,103
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UT Austin Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    • BA/BS in Teaching
    • BSA in Mathematics
    • BS in Actuarial Science
    • BS in Mathematics Honors
    Source
  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,726
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $102,520
    Salary after 4 years: $129,111
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    USC Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    • BA/BS in Applied Computational Mathematics
    • BS in Economics/Mathematics
    Source
  23. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    57K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1326/30

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Washington

    Cost of Degree: $12,242
    Expenses: $19,848
    Starting Salary: $65,734
    Salary after 4 years: $86,744
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Washington Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    • BA in Teacher Prep Option
    • BA in Philosophy Option
    Source
  24. #24

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/33

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of Notre Dame

    Cost of Degree: $60,301
    Expenses: $19,910
    Starting Salary: $113,603
    Salary after 4 years: $143,069
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Notre Dame Math Major Concentrations:

    • Honors Program
    • Honors Program in Arts & Letters
    • Career Program
    • Life Sciences Program
    • Mathematics and Computing
    • Mathematics Education Program
    • Business Administration Program
    • Mathematics and Engineering Science Program
    Source
  25. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/30

    Career Outlook for Mathematics degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Cost of Degree: $8,989
    Expenses: $16,260
    Starting Salary: $64,979
    Salary after 4 years: $85,747
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    UNC Chapel Hill Math Majors:

    • BA/BS in Mathematics
    Source

Go to all Research Universities for Mathematics programs

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