Best colleges for Mathematics
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Mathematics by graduate earnings are Duke University ($121,088), Tufts University ($110,512) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($109,288), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Duke University (Durham, NC): $121,088, 51 graduates a year
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $110,512, 41 graduates a year
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA): $109,288, 119 graduates a year
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $108,255, 50 graduates a year
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN): $103,812, 55 graduates a year
Compare 1,305 U.S. colleges offering Mathematics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Mathematics programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,726 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 27.01 and the Mathematicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Mathematics programs
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 establish mathematical properties. This program is ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and wish to apply mathematical principles in various fields, including science, engineering, and economics.
Students in the Mathematics program will develop core skills in critical thinking, active learning, and problem-solving. Coursework typically covers areas such as algebra, geometry, analysis, and topology, equipping students with a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied mathematics.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $121,088 | 51 | 97% | $16,260 | $13,000 |
| 2 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $110,512 | 41 | 94% | $23,570 | $17,750 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $109,288 | 119 | 96% | $11,666 | $10,003 |
| 4 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $108,255 | 50 | 96% | $14,689 | $11,617 |
| 5 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,812 | 55 | 94% | $14,854 | $10,000 |
| 6 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,421 | 195 | 96% | $13,333 | $12,000 |
| 7 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $90,213 | 23 | 95% | $15,454 | — |
| 8 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $88,081 | 44 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,500 |
| 9 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $87,251 | 91 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,146 |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,171 | 130 | 94% | $11,888 | $10,859 |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,676 | 235 | 93% | — | $21,589 |
| 12 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,196 | 60 | 84% | $28,900 | $24,250 |
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,799 | 40 | 94% | $14,126 | $18,700 |
| 14 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,530 | 49 | 95% | $14,799 | $12,418 |
| 15 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,129 | 195 | 89% | — | $19,500 |
| 16 | Amherst College Amherst, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,500 | 38 | 94% | $16,081 | $14,745 |
| 17 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,392 | 103 | 91% | $18,925 | $21,750 |
| 18 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,481 | 41 | 92% | $33,774 | $25,454 |
| 19 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,516 | 24 | 84% | $33,246 | $21,000 |
| 20 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,144 | 36 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,025 |
| 21 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,656 | 43 | 92% | $18,174 | — |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,744 | 328 | 90% | — | $20,500 |
| 23 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,725 | 30 | 73% | — | $26,190 |
| 24 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,302 | 33 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 25 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,604 | 90 | 89% | $21,956 | $19,750 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walla Walla University College Place, WA Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program | $67,328 | 2 | 60% | $22,260 | $27,000 |
Specializations within Mathematics
4 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 27.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- MathematicsCIP 27.010123,537 graduates / yr1,300 institutions54 states
- MathematicsCIP 27.0199344 graduates / yr29 institutions14 states
- Analysis and Functional AnalysisCIP 27.0103limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Topology and FoundationsCIP 27.0105limited data3 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 6 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Algebra and Number Theory27.0102
- Geometry/
Geometric Analysis27.0104
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2021, Mathematicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mathematics program can pursue various careers, with a median wage of $121,680. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 100 annual openings. A typical career in this area requires a Master's degree, emphasizing the importance of advanced education in mathematics.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Mathematics
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 27.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 27.01 (Mathematics) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 15-2021 | Mathematiciansprimary |
| 15-2041 | Statisticians |
| 15-2051 | Data Scientists |
| 15-2099 | Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other |
| 25-1022 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Mathematics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
- Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
- Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
- Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
- Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
- Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Mathematics program?+
Specializations include General Mathematics, Algebra and Number Theory, Analysis and Functional Analysis, Geometry/Geometric Analysis, and Topology and Foundations.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What is the typical education required for careers in Mathematics?+
Most careers in Mathematics typically require a Master's degree.
What is the job outlook for Mathematics graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 100 annual openings.
How much do Mathematics graduates earn?+
Mathematics graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,726, College Scorecard (2019); the Mathematicians occupation pays about $129,260 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Mathematics?+
Mathematics maps to CIP 27.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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