Iowa · Mathematics

Best colleges for Mathematics in Iowa

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa are the top bachelor's Mathematics programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. University of Iowa leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $60,612, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University award the most Mathematics degrees in Iowa: 60, 43 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Iowa colleges offer Mathematics and award 225 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Mathematics program encompasses a broad range of topics related to abstract concepts such as numbers, geometric shapes, and functions. It is designed for students interested in exploring logical reasoning and proof to understand and…

Institutions
24
offering CIP 27.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
225
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$51,422
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,324
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
60%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Mathematicians
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree
$60,6126075%—$21,738
2Iowa State University
Ames Public · Bachelor's degree
$51,4223675%—$22,942
3University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,7294368%—$19,723

Colleges awarding the most Mathematics degrees in Iowa

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
60$60,612
2University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Public
43$42,729
3Iowa State University
Ames Public
36$51,422
4Grinnell College
Grinnell Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
5Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
6Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny Public
8Not reported
7Wartburg College
Waverly Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
8Loras College
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
9University of Dubuque
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
10Luther College
Decorah Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
Show the other 14 Iowa colleges offering Mathematics
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Buena Vista UniversityStorm LakePrivate not-for-profit3
Central CollegePellaPrivate not-for-profit3
Cornell CollegeMount VernonPrivate not-for-profit3
Northwestern CollegeOrange CityPrivate not-for-profit3
Simpson CollegeIndianolaPrivate not-for-profit3
Coe CollegeCedar RapidsPrivate not-for-profit2
Morningside UniversitySioux CityPrivate not-for-profit2
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar RapidsPrivate not-for-profit2
Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenportPrivate not-for-profit2
Clarke UniversityDubuquePrivate not-for-profit1
Graceland University - LamoniLamoniPrivate not-for-profit1
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwaPublic1
Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil BluffsPublic1
Maharishi International University (Online)FairfieldPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-0.7%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$121,680
typically Master's degree

Top skills

MathematicsCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningScienceWriting

What Mathematicians earn in Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Data Scientists
$98,100 avg · 2,300 jobs
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$91,700 avg · 450 jobs
Statisticians
$82,910 avg · 250 jobs
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
$57,600 avg · 30 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Mathematics programs in Iowa.

Which Iowa colleges award the most Mathematics degrees?+

University of Iowa (60 graduates a year), University of Northern Iowa (43 graduates a year) and Iowa State University (36 graduates a year) award the most Mathematics degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Iowa colleges offer Mathematics.

What is the best college for Mathematics in Iowa?+

By graduate earnings, University of Iowa leads among bachelor's Mathematics programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $60,612, College Scorecard. Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 60 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Mathematics program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $60,612. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Mathematics program?+

The Mathematics program encompasses a broad range of topics related to abstract concepts such as numbers, geometric shapes, and functions. It is designed for students interested in exploring logical reasoning and proof to understand and…

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card