Best Online Math Bachelor's Degree Programs
Math is one of the most fundamental fields of study. The best online bachelor's in mathematics programs will equip you with the skills you need to enter a variety of fields and become actuaries, technicians and researchers, teachers, analysts, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary is $98,680 for those with math occupations. Students who pursue a mathematics degree learn to solve problems relating to numbers and patterns while developing practical and theoretical skills in the field.
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Online Mathematics Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Southern New Hampshire University Online
Grand Canyon University
Liberty University
Annual Tuition: $11,700
7 Programs (view all)
List Of Accredited Online Mathematics Schools
Southern New Hampshire University Online
- Annual Tuition: $9,600
- Locations: Manchester (NH)
- Accreditation: NECHE
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a large, private institution. SNHU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, which requires 120 credits. Up to 90 credits can be transferred from another institution, and the program offers an exam that may replace up to three courses. This major prepares students to work in quantitative and analytic fields through courses like Mathematical Proof & Problem Solving, Real Analysis, and Differential Equations. With a full-time schedule, the online program can be completed in three to four years. Graduates may become actuaries, operational research analysts, statisticians, and financial analysts, to name a few options.
At SNHU, students use Brightspace to access their learning materials, which are 100% online and asynchronous. Online students have access to all university resources.
Liberty University
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
- Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Liberty University (LU) is a large, private institution. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computational Mathematics, which requires 120 credit hours. Students can transfer up to 75% of these credits. This major teaches students about data analytics, finance, business, and technology, and it has five specialization options: (1) General, (2) Actuarial, (3) Computer Science, (4) Engineering, and (5) Information Systems. Including two required religion courses, the degree can be completed in 3.5 years with a full-time schedule. Graduates of this program may go on to work in medicine, scientific research, or pharmaceutical studies.
LU students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is 100% online. Online students can access the university library, the online writing center, and other student resources.
Indiana University - East
- Annual Tuition: $19,978
- Locations: Richmond (IN)
- Accreditation: HLC
Indiana University - East (IU - East) is a medium-sized, public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science and Mathematics. Each online program requires 120 credit hours. The first program offers more math courses and specializations, such as finance, probability, and economics. Meanwhile, the latter program offers a wider range of classes, with a mathematics concentration. Some courses offered by IU - East include Bridge to Abstract Math, Topics in Euclidean Geometry, and Equity & Fixed Income Investments. Graduates of these programs go on to work as actuaries, mathematical technicians, data scientists, and mathematics modelers.
At IU - East, students use Canvas, a digital learning platform, to access their 100% online coursework, which students typically complete in three to four years. Additionally, online students can access all student resources.
University of North Dakota
- Annual Tuition: $15,895
- Locations: Grand Forks (ND)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of North Dakota (UND) is a large, public institution. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Mathematics that requires 120 credit hours. This program can be completed in four years with a full-time schedule. Core classes in this major include Theory of Numbers, Cryptological Mathematics, and Numerical Analysis. There is also a capstone class requirement. UND’s program focuses on applied math, combinatorics & cryptology, and computational mathematics. It may lead to careers such as data analyst, actuary, scientific consultant, and software engineer. This major also offers a partnership with the Department of Education, allowing students to earn their teaching license.
At UND, students use Blackboard to access their online coursework, which can be done online or in person. Online students have access to the Math Active Learning Lab, the Math Learning Center, and other university resources.
University of Illinois at Springfield
- Annual Tuition: $21,338
- Locations: Springfield (IL)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is a large, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Sciences, which requires 61 credit hours. UIS’ online programs are transfer only, which means that students must transfer at least 30 credit hours to begin the degree. Core classes for this major include Probability Modeling & Computer Simulation, Mathematics in Daily Life, and Operational Research Methods, along with the required entrance and exit assessments. Graduates often pursue careers in teaching, engineering, and insurance.
At UIS, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Online students at UIS can access all student resources.
Overview of an Online Math Degree
At the undergraduate level, math students take courses in a wide variety of math theories and applications, such as statistics, calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and economic modeling. A bachelor's degree in math can lead to careers in finance, economics, data science, teaching, and other fields that require a strong quantitative understanding.
Many students choose to take on an internship while completing their bachelor’s degree to gain experience applying their coursework in a real-world setting. Since many math students expect to move on to higher degrees before seeking full-time employment, internships also help to break up long sequences of study.
Can You Get a Math Degree Online?
Yes, degree programs in math that are not oriented toward education can usually be completed 100% online. Students learn new math concepts through online video lectures and tutorials. Email, instant messaging, and video conferencing with instructors may also be used to aid student understanding in a remote environment. Programs that are designed to prepare graduates for the classroom will require some on-site work, usually in the form of teaching practicums.
Online math programs help individuals who want to prepare for a role in math education, a math-intensive career, or graduate-level study. They usually require about 120 credit hours, which full-time students can complete in four years.
During the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, students take classes in liberal arts areas, such as social science, natural science, humanities, and fine arts. This curriculum is designed to help all students to develop useful critical thinking and communication skills, as well as improved cultural knowledge. In the final two years of the program, students focus on math topics including calculus, linear and abstract algebra, statistics, differential equations, and discrete and logical mathematics.
The Importance of Accreditation
Before students commit to an online math degree, they must first look at their online school's accreditation status. There is no specific accreditation agency governing the field of mathematics, but it's still important for students to research the accreditation status of schools where they are interested in earning their degree or certification. Any institution you consider should have earned this important designation, which indicates that a school has met certain academic standards of quality.
Attending an institution that has been accredited by one of these agencies means you’ll be eligible for government financial aid, scholarships, and student loans. It will also mean your degree will be recognized by other educational institutions should you choose to transfer credits or continue your education at another institution in the future.
Students interested in preparing to become math teachers in public schools should also ensure that any teacher-preparation program they're considering has earned recognition from the board of education in the state where they hope to teach; this credential is required to earn a teaching license. TEACH.org (previously operated by the U.S. Department of Education) has more information about the path to teaching in K-12 public schools.
Keep in mind, online math programs are respected just as much as traditional degrees. In some cases students take the exact same coursework as those that study on campus. Furthermore, all of OnlineU's recommended online programs come from accredited institutions.
What Students Learn in an Online Mathematics Program
The core math curriculum covers several advanced mathematics topics, along with courses that feature formal logic or computer algorithms, strong connections with mathematics, and those that support the study of math theories.
Below are some common online college math courses at the bachelor's level:
Differential Equations
At the theoretical level, a course in differential equations looks at the most complex equations and solutions in high-level calculus. This includes both numerical and transfer methods, separation of variables, and linear and nonlinear equations.
Calculus III
This upper level calculus course may include differential equations but also covers Taylor's Theorem, involving the infinite sum of terms. It will even look at variable calculus methods, such as derivatives alongside double and triple integrals.
Elements of Modern Analysis
The elements of this modern analysis course looks at topology, or the study of geometric properties, and spatial relations. Coursework may include the Euclidean space and the Riemann integral.
Mathematical Statistics
Mathematical statistics coursework offers a combination of theory, estimation, hypothesis, and analysis testing. Students will be asked to represent data through graphs, analyze trends, and make predictions.
Applied Linear Algebra
Faculty teach both theory and application in this applied linear algebra course. Students will study various equations involving lines, planses, vector spaces, and mapping.
Minors and Specializations
Students may take upper-level math courses of their choosing or complete a minor in a related area. Math education students might take courses in geometry for teachers and applied math instruction, while students with a computer science minor would take courses in programming and operating systems.
Mathematicians generally choose one of two specializations: theoretical or applied math. The choice of a specialization results in a greater focus on either application of mathematics or on the derivation of mathematical theory. In both cases, mathematicians will need to be well-versed in the past study of theory as well as contemporary mathematical applications.
Some bachelor’s programs offer specialization tracks in relevant quantitative areas, such as actuarial science, industrial mathematics, or systems analysis. Other bachelor’s degrees are designed to prepare math teachers for employment and include courses in curriculum design and instruction. Graduates from these programs are typically qualified to apply for state certification to become primary or secondary mathematics teachers. Postsecondary teaching, however, requires a master's or doctoral degree.
What Job Should I Have if I Like Math?
Graduates of a math degree online may pursue roles in actuary, operations research, investment analysis, bioinformatics, and statistics. This may include federal government positions at the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Census, or Department of Defense which require a bachelor's degree for their entry-level positions.
Individuals who choose careers as mathematicians can focus on applied mathematics or pure mathematics:
An applied mathematician collaborates with engineers, chemists, or anyone else who is in need of complex mathematical assistance.
A pure mathematician usually works in academia, creating and contributing to new mathematical disciplines and solving complex theoretical problems.
Additional career options for math majors include the following:
Economists
Economists work with money from a social science perspective. They track global economic trends to make predictions about the future of a nation's trade and commerce.
Statisticians
Statisticians conduct surveys and collect statistical information, which they then interpret and apply to practical situations. They work in many different disciplines, ranging from politics to biology, and must be able to think logically and work accurately.
Mathematics Teachers
Students in the United States struggle with the math segments of standardized tests more than they do in any other subject. Math educators at the high school level help prepare students for postsecondary education by teaching the fundamentals of calculus, algebra, and geometry.
Actuaries
Actuaries are professional mathematicians that use statistics to calculate and analyze risk mostly related to the operations of insurance companies. They do this through mathematical theory and practical applications.
Do Math Majors Make Good Money?
Generally speaking, mathematics degree graduates can expect to earn a higher living wage compared to other industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professions that deal with mathematics earn a median salary of $98,680, while the average American can only expect $45,760. This includes math-centric professions — such as actuaries, operations research analysts, and statisticians.
What Is the Highest Paying Job With Math?
Actuaries and economists have the highest paying jobs that primarily utilize mathematics with salaries of $105,900 and $105,630, respectively. Actuaries earn slightly more per year than economists, but only by a margin of $270 per year. These roles are also similar in their responsibilities, as they both focus on statistics, risk, and predictive analysis.
Are Math Degrees in Demand?
The demand for math degrees can be looked at through the lens of the field's high-demand professions. As it stands in 2022, several roles that require math degrees are expected to hire at a faster rate than the most other occupations. Economists, statisticians, and actuaries will see between 13% and 33% job growth between 2020 and 2030, while the normal rate rests around 8%.
Is a Degree in Mathematics Worth It?
Earning a math degree online can have several benefits to highly analytical learners and those with a pension for understanding complex mathematics. While the material can be incredibly complex and often rooted in theory, math degrees can provide a pathway to high growth careers with high paying salaries. Below are some potential benefits, along with some likely drawbacks, to earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics.
Potential Benefits
Math degrees are on the rise. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of students who earned degrees in mathematics has risen over24%according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Opportunities to work in innovative, cutting-edge industries for the right candidate. Students with a math degree featuring a minor in aerospace may end up working for organizations such as NASA, which hire mathematicians to work alongside their physicists and engineers.
Studying math increases brain development. According to a 2021 study from the University of Oxford, studying math beyond the age of 16 is more advantageous to the brain's capacity for cognitive and brain development.
Potential Drawbacks
A lot of math graduates end up working in finance. Without a minor in engineering, physics, aerospace, or other field, those with a strictly mathematical background may find more job opportunities in finance than anywhere else.
A mathematician's work can be very tedious and time-consuming. Andrew Wiles, a well-regarded British mathematician, spent an astonishing seven years working on a single proof for Fermat's Last Theorem.
Earning a bachelor's degree may not be enough to become a mathematician. Working as a mathematician often requires a master's degree, particularly if students want to work in academia as a researcher.
Bottom Line
Mathematics degrees online at the bachelor's level offer a unique opportunity to pursue highly analytical professions. While many graduates end up working in finance — thanks to the 750,800 new jobs that are expected in the next decade — others may use this degree as a stepping stone to an online master's degree, whether in mathematics or a similar field. This is beneficial for those interested in pursuing an academic role. Earning a degree in math can be challenging, tedious, and strenuous due to the theoretical nature of upper level calculus and algebra. However, graduates may be rewarded with gainful employment beyond what other occupations can offer.
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By OnlineU Staff Writers | 2/15/2023