Getting a Degree in Mathematics

Associate’s Degree in Mathematics

Getting your associate’s degree in mathematics is a great first step into a career in mathematics. You'll study subjects such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics. Classes may include ones such as calculus, linear algebra, and pre-calculus. You should be able to get a mathematics associate degree at a local community college. Most programs would take you two years if you attend school full-time.

Those with an associate’s degree in mathematics may find a job in accounts payable, be an assistant to a certified public accountant, or work as a financial clerk. You can find jobs in many different fields including insurance, health care, and business.

Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics

In order to give yourself more opportunities and find higher-paying jobs, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. While working towards your bachelor’s degree, you would dive into more complex material than you would with an associate’s degree. You might take classes such as the theory of statistics, applied partial differential equations, and vector calculus.

A bachelor’s degree should take around four years, and you can find online and in-person programs based on what is available and what works best for your situation.

For online programs, The University of Illinois at Springfield, Indiana University, and Maryville University all have highly rated programs. For in-person programs, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins University all have highly rated programs.

Jobs with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics

• Actuaries, who use statistical analysis to figure out the probability of the occurrence of certain events to minimize the risks associated with them, have an average salary of $108,350.
• Survey Researchers, who design surveys that gather information about the public, including factual data, opinions, and beliefs, have an average salary of $59,170, according to BLS.
• Middle School or High School Math Teachers, who teach students in mathematics in the 6th-12th grade levels, have an average salary of $61,660, according to BLS.

Master’s Degree in Mathematics

Getting a master’s degree in mathematics will allow you to expand your career in mathematics even further. You can usually get your degree within two years, depending on if you go full or part-time. There might also be the option of bundling a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in certain 5-year programs.

While in a master’s degree program, you'll focus on a specialization. Some examples would be data science, mathematics in education, or pure and applied mathematics. Some of the classes you might take would be, introduction to probability, calculus survey, or mathematics for elementary education.

For online programs, Texas A & M University-College, Colorado State University, and Ball State University all have highly rated programs. For in-person programs, Princeton University, Harvard University, and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology all have highly rated programs.

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics

• Statisticians, who use mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze and interpret quantitative data, have an average salary of $92,030, according to BLS.
• Computational Scientists, who are skilled in scientific computing and work to interpret problems arising from the physical sciences and engineering in mathematical form and develop mathematical solutions to these problems, have an average salary of $99,050, according to Glassdoor.
• Research Mathematicians, who conduct mathematical research in areas of interest to large corporations as well as areas of government, have an average salary of $92,030, according to BLS.