What can you do with a math degree?

In life, you tend to find two classes of people: “math people” and people who are better with words. The latter group is often quick to dismiss the importance of learning complex math—the age-old question is, “When am I ever going to use this?”

If you not only know several answers to that question, but think it shouldn’t even be asked, chances are you’re looking at getting a math degree. But while knowing how to balance your checking account or calculate the tip for a delivery driver are great math skills to have (There won’t always be an app to do it for you, believe it), devoting your entire college career as well as your future plans to math is a whole different thing.

Does it make sense? What can I do with a math degree? Will I be able to make it through to my degree? Can I find a job I’ll enjoy that will make me a decent living? The short answers to those questions is yes. For more details, though, read on as we lay out the many doors a mathematics program can open.

What a Degree in Math Entails

Any mathematics graduate will tell you that you’ll enter your career field feeling prepared after you get your degree, because every math course involves a lot of careful work and studying. But what exactly does it take for math students to turn into math graduates?

We asked Neil Nicholson, associate professor of mathematics at North Central College, what is required for a math degree at his school. He said, “If (you’re) majoring in mathematics, then completing either the B.A. or B.S. track (for those wanting to go into industry, we would likely encourage students to complete a B.S., but a B.A. still gives a great foundation). The courses here fall under the guise of ‘pure mathematics.’ For a major in applied mathematics, mid-to-upper-level courses are applied in nature, focused on how mathematics can be used to address external questions. Additionally, students must complete a minor in an approved field outside of the department.”

Although there are different types of math degrees, the average mathematics degree should provide you with a distinct set of mathematical skills that will qualify you for a career or to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in the subject—or even an advanced degree in a related field like economics, statistics, or an MBA. Nicholson named what you should expect those skills to be:

• The ability to persevere through multi-pronged questions;
• Communicating technical answers to the non-technically minded;
• Teamwork (it is rare to find a mathematician who works alone);
• Logical reasoning skills;
• Analytical thinking skills;
• Patience with challenges; and
• The ability to ask questions in order to arrive at a solution to a tough problem.

Top Jobs You Can Get with a Math Degree

It’s likely you will need something above an associate degree to find the best job prospects in mathematics. That said, the job outlook for those with a math degree at the bachelor level or higher is particularly strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, “Employment in math occupations is projected to grow 27 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, and will add about 56,100 jobs. Growth is anticipated as businesses and government agencies continue to emphasize the use of big data, which math occupations analyze.”

The BLS goes on to say that in their most recent available data, “Math occupations had a median annual wage of $90,410 in May 2019, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810.”

From the perspective of an academic who’s helped many math majors to find careers, the possibilities are wide open in terms of good jobs to look for. Nicholson said, “Studying mathematics opens doors to working in almost any career field. For the computationally minded, nearly every industry (financial, scientific, business, etc.) has jobs titled ‘____ Analyst.’ For those with algorithmic or programming-focused minds, computer-related careers for mathematicians abound.

“Working for a non-profit, using your skills to give back to society? Nearly every organization needs quantitative, problem-solving minds, and they view math majors as the crème-de-la-crème for that type of thinking. Law school? Working with statistics? Project manager at a Fortune 500 company? (A math major) is ideal to prep for any of these.”

The best career path for a mathematics major tensd to match up with the concentrations you can choose as part of your bachelor’s degree program. Tami Robinson of Best Colleges groups them this way:

• Actuarial science – leading to jobs in statistics, insurance and higher education; subjects including corporate financial mathematics, linear regression, economics, and property and casualty analytics
• Computer information systems – working on cybersecurity, software development, video game programming; subjects including information technology, software, engineering, computer languages, and studies in how networks function
• Computer science – career roles in computer science include software engineer, database administrator and web developer; subjects include pure math and applied math, mathematical sciences, statistics, engineering, data structures, and business systems
• Statistics – leads to careers in data science, biostatistics, and research; subjects include calculus, high-level algebra, probability, as well as possibly studying public health, epidemiology, and computer programming languages
• Mathematics education – can teach anywhere from K-12 with a state teaching license or college courses by going on for a masters degree or Ph.D.; subjects include mathematical theory and mathematical modeling, discrete mathematics, high-level algebra, geometry, and using technology in the classroom
• Economics – can lead to work as a research analyst, planner, consultant or researcher; subjects include microeconomic theory, econometrics, and statistics