Applied Mathematics Schools and Programs in The United States

Applied Mathematics Studies in The United States

Applied mathematics uses mathematical models and computation to solve problems in science, engineering, business and society. Yale University's course catalogue notes that such models are used in fields as diverse as physics, bioinformatics, robotics, image processing and economics, and that a core of essential concepts and techniques serves most of these problems. Students therefore combine mathematics, statistics and computing with a field of application. SpainExchange lists 36 schools in the United States that teach applied mathematics.

How the degree is organised

Applied mathematics is studied as a major within a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years of full-time study; each university sets the number of credits needed to graduate. Students take classes in other subjects alongside the major and, according to EducationUSA, do not declare a major until the end of the second year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that mathematics courses usually include calculus, differential equations and linear and abstract algebra, and that students commonly take courses in a related field such as computer science, physics or statistics.

The name and home of the degree vary between universities:

• The University of Washington offers a BS in Applied Mathematics, with a Data Science option, and a BS in Computational Finance and Risk Management.
• Yale University offers the major as a BA (11 term courses beyond the prerequisites) or a BS (14 term courses), with a three-course concentration in a field in which mathematics is used and a senior thesis project.
• Johns Hopkins University teaches Applied Mathematics and Statistics in its Whiting School of Engineering, as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science in Engineering and PhD.

Master's degrees and PhDs

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, which usually takes about two years, and the doctorate, which EducationUSA describes as a five to eight-year programme. BLS notes that many universities offer master's and doctoral degrees in theoretical or applied mathematics. The University of Washington, for example, offers a PhD and master's programmes on campus and online, and has a BS to MS pathway. Northwestern University and the University of Colorado Boulder also combine a bachelor's degree with an accelerated master's.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each university sets its own requirements, so its international admissions page is the reference; EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate, so check what each university charges non-residents. Starting at a community college, which is usually cheaper, and transferring to a university after two years can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study applied mathematics

Denver, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Dayton have two schools each in this directory. Colorado is well represented, with the University of Colorado Boulder, whose Department of Applied Mathematics reports about 179 applied mathematics majors and more than 110 graduate students, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Denver. Other public universities on the list include The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of California, Davis. Private universities include Harvard University, Brown University, Yale University, Northwestern University and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Community colleges such as Broward College and Lansing Community College offer the first two years of study.

Careers

Applied mathematics leads to work in data analysis, finance, insurance, engineering, research and teaching. BLS employment projections for 2025 to 2035 for related occupations are:

• Data scientists: growth of 35%, about 24,800 openings a year; a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field is the usual entry requirement
• Operations research analysts: growth of 12%, about 7,500 openings a year; a degree in operations research or a related field such as applied mathematics may be needed
• Mathematicians and statisticians: growth of 10%, about 2,000 openings a year
• Actuaries: growth of 9%, about 1,500 openings a year; a bachelor's degree and a series of certification exams are required

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mathematics and applied mathematics?

Both share a core of calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. An applied mathematics major adds computing and statistics and asks students to apply these methods in another field; Yale, for example, requires a three-course concentration in a field in which mathematics is used.

How long does an applied mathematics degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study and a master's degree about two more. Some universities offer a combined bachelor's and master's route.

Do I need a master's degree to work as a mathematician?

According to BLS, mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master's degree, but data scientists, operations research analysts and actuaries typically enter with a bachelor's degree.

Can international students work while studying?

According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with permission from the international student office.