Online Mathematics Degree Programs (2023)

Students interested in a college-level math education have a lot to consider, including degree options, curriculum, timelines and graduation requirements. There is also the question of how to learn – online, in a classroom, or using a combination of both? This guide simplifies the process by doing the research for you. Students can find information on specific courses, typical programs and career prospects.

Earning an Online Mathematics Degree

There are many disciplines of study that require at least some degree of classroom instruction, laboratory work or on-site internships. However, the subject of mathematics is conducive to earning a degree in an online-only format.

Students who opt for an online mathematics school don't study in complete isolation. Online courses encourage and facilitate interaction with peers and instructors through a variety of communication tools. Message boards, emails, chat forums, Skype and other technologies allow students to get answers to questions, discuss class material with peers or professors, and engage in group study.

Top Online Math Programs

Those with a love of numbers and number theory often pursue a degree in mathematics, giving them opportunities in accounting, research, higher education and more. An online degree can give them the flexibility they need to pursue higher education at their own pace and without having to make sacrifices in other areas of their lives. But finding the program that offers the courses and specialization they need is tough. We compiled the data to offer our list of the best colleges for math.

4-Year

2-Year

1. East Mississippi Community College

   Location

   Scooba, MS

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   East Mississippi Community College was founded to promote leadership, lifelong learning, and a supportive learning environment for students. The school’s Mathematics and Science Division offers programs that allow students to work closely with their professors and get the attention they need to thrive inside and outside of the classroom. One of the programs the school offers is an associate’s degree in mathematics, which provides students with a deep understanding of different elements of the discipline. Students can take classes in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, finite mathematics, quantitative reasoning, and geometry. In addition to mathematics courses, students must take classes in areas such as English composition, public speaking, and social sciences.

2. Western Texas College

   Location

   Snyder, TX

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   The mathematics associate’s degree program at Western Texas College prepares students to work in finance, actuarial science, education, and behavioral science fields. Students are required to complete a rigorous coursework in subjects such as business and social science mathematics, algebra, calculus, statistics, trigonometry, and elementary statistics. In order to successfully complete this degree, students must pass a comprehensive examination to demonstrate their understanding of the coursework they completed throughout the program. In addition, students are required to complete general education classes to help them develop critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.

3. Western Wyoming Community College

   Location

   Rock Springs, W

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   Western Wyoming Community College offers an associate’s of science degree with a mathematics emphasis. In order to prepare students to continue their education in a bachelor's degree program, the school gives students the tools to succeed through small class sizes and lab sections that emphasize individual student attention. In fact, classes and labs are conducted in the Mathematics Advancement Center, which was specifically designed to allow students to master the subjects they're learning and receive focused faculty support. The coursework in this program is theoretical in nature, but it also provides students with practical applications they can use throughout their careers.

4. Odessa College

   Location

   Odessa, TX

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   Whether students want to enroll in a bachelor's degree program, become an instructor, prepare for a STEM-related job, or just enhance their skills, the mathematics associate’s degree program at Odessa College can help them achieve their goals. Some of the courses that can be found in this program include differential equations, calculus, algebra, math study skills, and macroeconomics. The school also provides a mathematics lab that allows students to work in a quiet environment and receive one-on-one tutoring if needed. Some of the resources that can be found in the lab include video lectures, online textbooks, and study plans.

5. Holmes Community College

   Location

   Goodman, MS

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   Holmes Community College’s Mathematics and Computer Science Department has rigorous associate’s degree programs in math and computer science. Mathematics degree students take coursework in differential equations, calculus, trigonometry, and linear algebra, as well as general science and English classes. Those in the computer science degree program study subjects such as computer programming, mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences. In addition, for students who are interested in becoming educators, Holmes Community College has a secondary education program with a focus on mathematics. Students in this program learn the skills needed to specifically teach mathematics to students on different grade levels.

6. Allen County Community College

   Location

   Iola, KS

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   Allen County Community College is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals, whether they want to get a job after graduation or continue their studies. For example, in order to help facilitate those who want to earn bachelor’s degrees, the school has created partnerships with local colleges and universities, which allows students to make a smooth transition from the two-year to the four-year school environment. Students who graduate from Allen County Community College’s mathematics associate’s degree program leave well-prepared to enter a bachelor’s degree program or the workforce—in part thanks to coursework in calculus, analytic geometry, statistics, and computer science.

7. Central Texas College

   Location

   (Video) So You Want To Get a Mathematics Degree

   Killeen, TX

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   Central Texas College was founded in 1965 to help students obtain educational success and become more employable in the competitive workforce. Students who want to study mathematics benefit from the school’s mission through an associate’s degree program that provides the fundamentals of calculus and algebra, as well as the federal and state government, physical sciences, and composition. The mathematics department also offers an associate's degree in engineering and introduces students to concepts related to engineering mechanics. Central Texas College is a military friendly institution that offers support for active service members, military spouses, and veterans.

8. St Philip's College

   Location

   San Antonio, TX

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   St. Philip's College offers an online degree program in mathematics that fosters students’ interest and appreciation of math. Students in this program take beginning and intermediate classes in algebra, statistics, and calculus, as well as courses in general education topics. In addition, the school has partnerships with local businesses in order to place students in internships. St. Philip's College is dedicated to helping students succeed, and to that end, it has a Center of Excellence for Mathematics that provides career development services, scholarships, special events, and research opportunities to students in the math department.

9. Palo Alto College

   Location

   San Antonio, TX

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   Over the last 30 years, Palo Alto College has served over 100,000 students by providing an accessible education that prepares them for higher-level degree programs or entry-level jobs. Students who are interested in mathematics careers can enroll in the school’s associate’s degree program, which includes a mix of courses inside and outside of the department. Coursework includes subjects such as calculus, pre calculus, computer programming, elementary statistical methods, and linear algebra. In addition, the mathematics department at Palo Alto College offers an accounting degree program to help students understand, and effectively communicate, about financial information.

10. San Antonio College

    Location

    San Antonio, TX

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    Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields demand strong job candidates who have the skills and knowledge to keep up with these challenging professions. On the other hand, students who are not earning degrees in math may be expected to take courses in the discipline to satisfy their graduation requirements. The math department at San Antonio College has courses for students who want to train for STEM careers, as well as those who are completing degree requirements. Whether they are enrolled in the school’s mathematics associate’s degree program or not, students gain organizational and critical thinking skills to solve problems in the classroom and in real-life.

11. Bucks County Community College

    Location

    Newtown, PA

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12. Diablo Valley College

    Location

    Pleasant Hill, CA

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13. Northwest Vista College

    Location

    San Antonio, TX

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14. Georgia Military College

    Location

    Milledgeville, GA

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15. Imperial Valley College

    Location

    Imperial, CA

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Pursuing a Mathematics Degree

Students studying mathematics can choose from a wide variety of educational paths. They may pursue the general mathematics degree, or specialize by taking courses in statistics, actuarial studies, accounting, computer science and more. The associate degree program forms a foundation for various math-related careers, while the bachelor's degree program dives deeper into those basic areas and also introduces new concepts. The master's degree is designed for those who have a clear educational path in mind, and the potential programs reflect that variety of options. Those who seek the PhD, aiming for the peak of their profession, can leverage their skills and education in almost any career that utilizes mathematics.

Program Highlight: Online Mathematics Degree — Bachelor's

Students enrolled in an online bachelor's degree in math will gain an understanding of how society has used math historically and up to today. They must learn how to solve real-world problems using mathematical concepts and theory, as well as how to apply their knowledge to a variety of fields, such as science and technology.

Most bachelor's programs require 120 credit hours to graduate and include required courses like English and the humanities. Students also have the opportunity to take electives and specialize in a particular field. Coursework for online programs is provided via Blackboard or college-based proprietary software, allowing students to access information at their convenience. However, students must have strong motivation and dedication.

Online mathematics degree programs are just as rigorous as traditional campus programs. Graduates may go on to careers in education, consulting, actuarial firms, operations research or government.

Associate Degree: Online Mathematics School

The two-year associate credential is the first step toward either entering the job force or moving into a higher degree program. The first year of the associate degree typically focuses on core requirements, including English and science, as well as the basic courses needed to begin the journey through mathematics instruction. While general education classes may seem to stray from the path of a math major, they help to strengthen the communication and teamwork skills that are vital in STEM careers.

The second year of an online math degree program emphasizes classes that focus on mathematics, such as statistics, reasoning and applications. The following table includes common courses students can expect to take when pursuing an online math degree at the associate level:

• Algebra and Applications

  Focuses on real number systems, linear equations, coordinate systems, powers and roots, algebraic operations, polynomials and factoring.

• Quantitative Reasoning

  Explores mathematical and statistical reasoning important for day-to-day life. Emphasizes percentages, probability, modeling and statistical thinking, based on examples of medical, financial and environmental decision making.

• Mathematical Applications

  Studies trigonometric functions, vectors, measurement and approximate numbers, functions and graphs, linear equations, determinants, quadratics, variation and geometry.

• Nature of Mathematics

  Discusses problem-solving, number theory, Euclidean and Non-Euclidean geometry, infinity, probability, plus other topics like fractals, chaos and topology.

Bachelor's Degree: Online Mathematics School

Earning the bachelor's degree in mathematics typically takes four years of full-time study, depending on a student's schedule. Graduation requirements include general education courses, although a student may have already completed some of these core classes in an associate degree program. The coursework also covers more in-depth mathematical concepts. Below are some examples of the curriculum in an online mathematics degree at the bachelor's level:

• Data Analysis and Interpretation

  Focuses on measurement, sampling, summarizing and displaying data, inferential methods, qualitative research designs and methods, interpreting search results and research design, among other topics.

• Foundations of Analysis

  Studies the definition of real numbers, order properties, completeness, infinite sequences, convergence, basic notions of series and convergence, functions and function limits.

• Complex Variables

  Includes study of elementary functions, line integrals, power series, residues and poles, and conformal mappings.

• Modern Algebra

  Explores the development of groups, integral domains, fields, number systems and complex numbers. Covers number theory, including divisibility, congruences, primes, perfect numbers and other problems.

• Differential Equations

  Explores basic notions of differential equations, solutions of first-order equations and liner equations, nth-order initial value problems and power series solutions.

• Stochastic Calculus

  Cover probability, Brownian motion, stationary and evolutionary processes, differential equations and random walk.

• Topology

  Examines set theory, including cardinal and original numbers, and topological properties of the real-line and metric spaces.

• Mathematical Foundations of Cryptography

  Focuses on congruences and residue class rings, Fermat's Little Theorem, Chinese Remainder Theorem, one-way functions, public-key cryptosystems, digital signatures and other groups, such as finite fields and elliptic curves.

Online Mathematics Degree: Master's

An additional two years of study beyond the bachelor's degree is usually required to complete the master's in mathematics, although this depends on a student's other commitments. The master's degree can be highly specialized, depending upon the end goal of the student. For example, those who intend to teach mathematics can fill their schedule with courses that focus on mathematics for teachers, while those who want to pursue the PhD in mathematics can opt for a broader spectrum of education, ending with a master's thesis.

Specific tracks for online math degrees vary widely by subject, school and department. The following courses are just a sampling of the core courses available for those attending graduate programs:

• Theory Functions of a Real Variable

  Explores measure and integration theory, metric space topology and elementary Banach space theory.

• Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable

  Covers infinite products, entire functions, Picard's theorem, Riemann mapping theorem and functions of several complex variables.

• Algebraic Topology

  Explores fundamental ideas, including homotopy and simplicial complexes, fundamental groups, covering spaces and duality theorems.

• Mathematical Modeling

  Studies modeling for applications, including ordinary and partial differential equations, stochastic models, discrete models and optimization, modeling error and uncertainty quantifications.

• Mathematics of Image Processing

  Covers image acquisition, enhancement, transformations, linear and nonlinear filters, image compression, segmentation and edge detection and pattern recognition.

• Computers for Mathematics Teachers

  Focuses on integration of the computer into the mathematics curriculum, focusing on problem solving through software packages.

• Optimization Techniques in Operations research

  Emphasizes linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer functions, analysis and application of optimization techniques.

• Teaching Seminar

  Designed for students who intend to teach on the college level, includes board work, teacher-student interaction, technical support, test writing, grading policies, student needs and more.

• Special Problems

  Focuses on specialized study not necessarily included in-depth in other courses.

• Master's Thesis

  Includes in-depth research, mentoring and preparation for the final thesis report. Enrollment is required during each term the thesis is in progress.

Online Mathematics Degree: Doctorate

Those who want to reach the pinnacle of their profession may go on to earn a doctorate in mathematics. The terminal degree typically takes at least four year of study after completing the master's degree, including time spent on dissertation research and defense. The timeframe for completion can vary depending on opportunities for graduate teaching or research assistantships.

While graduate programs may specialize in either theoretical or applied mathematics, some courses for the PhD may resemble those required for the master's degree. Students can look for dual online math degree programs that lead to a master's and a PhD, or they can opt to take PhD courses during their master's degree study with the goal of completing the doctorate in a shorter period of time.

Career Opportunities After Online Mathematics School

Those who pursue a degree in the mathematics may choose to enter one of many career paths, including computer science, biomathematics, actuarial science, finance, teaching, statistics, medicine and other occupations. Students can begin with a basic mathematics degree and specialize their electives, creating an educational pathway to help them prepare for diverse careers where number crunching is valued. Quantitative skills are in demand in almost every industry, and math graduates may find significant flexibility in the job market. Before enrolling in a program, students should check on occupational requirements and educational qualifications. For example, mathematicians working for the government or for research institutions typically hold a master's degree.

Here are a few examples of mathematics-related careers that students can explore after graduating:

Featured Careers

Mathematical Science Occupations

Mathematicians and other professionals in the mathematical sciences use their expertise to solve practical problems in various fields including science, business, and management. They develop computational methods, apply mathematical theories, and develop statistical models to analyze data and come up with viable solutions. They typically share findings through reports, papers, and presentations at professional conferences.

• Median Salary: $56,120
• Median Hourly: $26.98
• Est. Growth: 13.3%
• No. Employed: 1,220
• Minimum Education: Bachelor's

College Mathematical Science Teachers

College mathematical science teachers instruct postsecondary students via courses on mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science. These instructors prepare and deliver lectures, facilitate classroom discussions, and develop and administer exams and evaluation methods. Many perform independent research and publish their findings in academic papers. Like educators in other academic fields, mathematical science teachers are responsible for staying apprised of developments in their field through reading, collaboration with colleagues, and attending professional conferences.

• Median Salary: $64,990
• Median Hourly: NR
• Est. Growth: 11.5%
• No. Employed: 53,530
• Minimum Education: Doctoral/Professional

Mathematical Technicians

Not to be confused with mathematicians, mathematical technicians apply abstract mathematics to technological problems, namely engineering and physical science. These technicians work closely with data, processing it and converting it into terms that facilitate a solution. As the job relies greatly on math, a knowledge of mathematical formulas, principles, and methodology-plus their application in the real world-is necessary.

• Median Salary: $56,820
• Median Hourly: $27.32
• Est. Growth: 12.60%
• No. Employed: 1,150
• Minimum Education: Bachelor's

Mathematicians

Utilizing a mastery of mathematics, mathematicians develop computational methods for solving problems across an array of fields, including science, engineering, and business. Their mathematical or statistical models have many uses: analyzing data and presenting it clearly, creating computational simulations, or solving specific problems within a company. Additionally, mathematicians may be used in designing, transmitting, and deciphering encryption codes.

• Median Salary: $101,360
• Median Hourly: $48.73
• Est. Growth: 22.7%
• No. Employed: 3,250
• Minimum Education: Master's

Operations Research Analysts

Operations research analysts apply mathematics to problem-solving in order to help senior managers, executives, and other decision-makers understand more clearly their preferred course of action. These analysts create mathematical or simulation models that display possible solutions, conflicting objectives, alternatives, and constants and variables-as well as their numerical parameters-before advising managers on which plan offers the best outcome.

• Median Salary: $72,100
• Median Hourly: $34.66
• Est. Growth: 26.70%
• No. Employed: 69,180
• Minimum Education: Bachelor's

Statisticians

Statisticians apply the field of statistics for use in almost any field. Their principal duties include analyzing data and identifying relationships or trends; reporting the results of their analyses, sometimes utilizing graphs, charts, and tables; creating statistical methods to solve specific problems; and ensuring that the collection of data is conducted properly. Statisticians may also be involved in designing, developing, or testing statistical software.

• Median Salary: $75,560
• Median Hourly: $36.33
• Est. Growth: 26.70%
• No. Employed: 25,570
• Minimum Education: Master's