Best colleges for Applied Mathematics in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and DePaul University award the most Applied Mathematics degrees and certificates in Illinois: 196, 183 and 77 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Illinois colleges offer Applied Mathematics and award 580 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Applied Mathematics program focuses on the practical application of mathematical methods across various fields, including physics, engineering, finance, and biology. This program is ideal for students who are interested in solving…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $94,684 | 35 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Applied Mathematics degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 196 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 183 | Not reported |
| 3 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 77 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 35 | $94,684 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 6 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 8 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 9 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Illinois colleges offering Applied Mathematics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKendree University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).
Top skills
What Mathematicians earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Applied Mathematics programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Applied Mathematics degrees?+
University of Chicago (196 graduates a year), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (183 graduates a year) and DePaul University (77 graduates a year) award the most Applied Mathematics degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Illinois colleges offer Applied Mathematics.
Which Applied Mathematics program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northwestern University tops the list at $94,684. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mathematicians earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Mathematicians in Illinois is $121,990 (median $130,970), across about 60 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Applied Mathematics program?+
The Applied Mathematics program focuses on the practical application of mathematical methods across various fields, including physics, engineering, finance, and biology. This program is ideal for students who are interested in solving…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop mathematics, critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mathematicians?+
The national job outlook is about -0.7% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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