Best Online Math Bachelor's Degree Programs

<p>When deciding which schools have the best online mathematics programs, it's important to consider factors like program length, cost and flexibility. </p> <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfMassachusettsLowell">1. University of Massachusetts-Lowell</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Lowell, MA </td><td>$15,648 </td><td>90%</td></tr> </table><p>The University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers 5 hybrid mathematics degree programs that consist of primarily online coursework with evening classes available for courses in mathematics. Students can earn one of the following degrees through hybrid programs: </p> <ul><li>Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics </li><li>Bachelor of Science in Mathematics </li><li>Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics </li><li>Bachelor of Science in Mathematics: Statistics Concentration </li><li>Bachelor of Science in Mathematics: Teacher Concentration </li></ul><p>The programs consist of 120 credit hours but allow students to transfer in up to 90 credits. Online courses have a tuition fee of $380 per credit hour while on-campus courses have a tuition fee of $340 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. </p> <h3 id="section---2.MayvilleStateUniversity">2. Mayville State University</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Mayville, ND </td><td>$7,049 </td><td>94%</td></tr> </table><p>Mayville State University offers two online mathematics bachelor's degree programs, both of which have a tuition rate of $315 per credit hour for all students. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics completely online with a minor in one of the following areas: accounting, business administration, library media and information science, special needs or general science. Students can alternatively earn a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) in Mathematics Education with a minor in one of the same areas. The BSEd program meets the North Dakota requirements for teacher preparation, and students seeking licensure in other states should check with their state licensing board. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the BSEd is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. </p> <h3 id="section---3.OttawaUniversity">3. Ottawa University</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Ottawa, KS </td><td>$30,805 </td><td>100%</td></tr> </table><p>Ottawa University has multiple campuses and offers several online programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. Students can add a concentration in actuarial science or secondary education by taking four or more required courses. The program includes courses in calculus, probability, algebra and differential equations. All students enrolled in the mathematics program have a tuition rate of $499 per credit hour, and Ottawa offers academic credits for applicable life experience and knowledge assessments. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is approved to offer educational programs (including the mathematics program) by the Arizona State Department of Education. </p> <h3 id="section---4.IndianaUniversityEast">4. Indiana University-East</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Richmond, IN </td><td>$7,527 </td><td>92%</td></tr> </table><p>Indiana University-East is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers two mathematics undergraduate programs online: </p> <ul><li>Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics </li><li>Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Natural Science and Mathematics, Mathematics concentration </li></ul><p>Both programs can be completed 100% online, require 120 credit hours, and have a tuition rate of $236 (in-state) or $341 (out-of-state) per credit hour. The BS program allows students to utilize elective credits to choose a specialization, such as financial mathematics and economics. The BA program emphasizes subjects such as calculus and mathematics history and statistics. Students who have previously earned an associate's degree can complete either program in two years, for a total tuition cost of around $13,000 to $20,000. </p> <h3 id="section---5.SouthernNewHampshireUniversity">5. Southern New Hampshire University</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Manchester, NH </td><td>$31,136 </td><td>77%</td></tr> </table><p>Southern New Hampshire University offers a 100% online program that is fully asynchronous, allowing students to access course assignments at their convenience. The school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education along with other programmatic accrediting agencies. The online Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics program consists of 120 credit hours, and allows students to select a concentration in applied mathematics or use their electives for a more custom curriculum. Students take courses in algebra, calculus, logic and analysis, and are able to transfer up to 90 credits into the program. All students have a tuition rate of $320 per credit hour, regardless of their state of residency. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Rank </th><th>School Name </th><th>Location </th><th>Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th>% Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>6 </td><td>University of Illinois at Springfield </td><td>Springfield, IL </td><td>$11,813 </td><td>96%</td></tr> <tr><td>7 </td><td>Chadron State College </td><td>Chadron, NE </td><td>$7,556 </td><td>96%</td></tr> <tr><td>8 </td><td>Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies </td><td>Fayette, MO </td><td>$6,550 </td><td>100%</td></tr> <tr><td>9 </td><td>Thomas Edison State University </td><td>Trenton, NJ </td><td>$7,926 </td><td>N/A</td></tr> </table><p>Learn.org's school ranking methodology categorizes and assesses data from schools and other reliable sources, such as the U.S. Department of Education, and weighs the information based on quality, cost, value and other factors critical to students' academic decisions. All table data is provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and is representative of the 2019-2020 school year. </p> <h2 id="section---OnlineMathDegreeOverview">Online Math Degree Overview</h2> <p>Mathematics is a broad field that can also be applied to many other fields, like science, business, and engineering. Students wishing to study the subject online can choose from degree and certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In general, these programs cover various areas of mathematics, like algebra, calculus, and discrete math, as well as related skills in the field like computing. Graduates with a degree in math can work in an array of careers and there are many online programs dedicated specifically to preparing students to work as math teachers at various levels. </p> <p>Some math programs may allow students to further focus their studies through concentration or specialization areas, as well as electives. Depending on the program, some students may be required to complete some type of culminating experience, although these experiences are more common at the graduate level. Here we discuss some of the different online programs available in math and the common characteristics. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineAssociateDegreesInMath">Online Associate Degrees in Math</h3> <p>Online associate's degree programs in mathematics are usually available as an Associate of Science (AS) degree. Most of these programs are set up as a transfer program to prepare students with the necessary general education requirements needed to easily transfer to a 4-year institution. This typically takes 2 years to complete, although some programs may allow students to finish in as little as 1.5 years, and may help prepare students wanting to major in areas like mathematics, statistics, mathematics education, or applied mathematics. Some programs may require applicants to have passed high school precalculus course or a college-level equivalent. </p> <p>Coursework for these online degree programs also include various types of core mathematics courses in addition to general education courses. Students may take introductory courses in topics like statistics, discrete math, calculus, or even computing sciences. Depending on the program, students may also have a few open electives to pursue their interests. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineBachelorSDegreesInMath">Online Bachelor's Degrees in Math</h3> <p>Online mathematics bachelor's degree programs can usually be completed without any on-site components, but some programs might require students to attend one or more on-campus requirements. Students interested in becoming mathematics teachers, for example, might have practicum requirements in their program in order to qualify for their intended careers. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineMasterSDegreesInMath">Online Master's Degrees in Math</h3> <p>At the master's level, students can pursue an online Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) in Mathematics, as well as related degrees, like an online Master of Education (MEd) with an emphasis in math education. Some online master's programs in math may allow students to further focus their studies through specializations, such as computational mathematics or mathematics teaching. These programs may be completed in 2 years full-time or 3 to 5 years when taken part-time. </p> <p>Curriculum for online master's programs in math typically include core courses that discuss topics like the history of mathematics, modeling, algebra, geometry, applied mathematics, and more. Students are usually required to take 33 to 36 credits of coursework, including some electives. Depending on the program, courses may be synchronous with courses in the late afternoon or evening for working professionals. These programs do not usually require a formal thesis, but some programs may conclude with a research project of some sort and have students pass an oral exam. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineDoctoralDegreesInMath">Online Doctoral Degrees in Math</h3> <p>Due to the research-based nature of a mathematics doctorate degree, most of these degree programs are only available on-campus. Students can most commonly pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, as well as related degrees like a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in mathematics education. The amount of time it takes to complete these degrees vary greatly, based on a student's research, but may take 5 years or more. </p> <p>Coursework for doctoral programs in mathematics is highly individualized and allows students to focus their studies in areas of interest. Most of these programs require students to pass various preliminary examinations and complete a dissertation. Some programs may have additional responsibilities for students, such as teaching or research through assistantships. Depending on the program, students may be able to earn their master's degree throughout the program and/or additional certificates or options, such as a computational molecular biology certificate or advanced data science option. </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineCertificatesInMath">Online Certificates in Math</h3> <p>Online certificate programs in mathematics are most common at the graduate level, but are also available at the undergraduate level. These programs may be specifically in mathematics, or related fields like applied mathematics and mathematics education. Most of these programs are taken part-time and can be completed in about 1 year. Some programs may allow students to count some credit from the certificate program towards a degree in the field, such as a master's degree. </p> <p>Coursework for online math certificates may require between 15 and 18 credits. Some programs may consist of mostly core courses with one or two electives, while others may be more equally distributed and have half core classes and half electives. Students do not usually have any kinds of culminating experience for these programs. These programs can be beneficial to those wishing to continue their mathematics education and/or those who may work in a math-related or math-based career in areas like business, engineering, or science. </p> <h2 id="section---MathSpecializationsConcentrations">Math Specializations/Concentrations</h2> <p>There are some degree programs in other fields that may offer mathematics as its own concentration area, such as a Master of Education (MEd) with a concentration in mathematics. However, some mathematics programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels sometimes allow students to select a concentration, minor, or electives to supplement their mathematics knowledge with a deeper understanding of a specific area. These concentrations may help students further prepare for a specific career. Depending on their chosen school, students may be able to choose one of the concentrations listed below: </p> <ul><li>Accounting </li><li>Actuarial Science </li><li>Applied Mathematics </li><li>Industrial and Applied Mathematics </li><li>Mathematics Education </li><li>Statistics </li><li>Pure Mathematics </li><li>Operations Research </li><li>Data Science </li></ul><h2 id="section---OnlineLearningEnvironment">Online Learning Environment</h2> <p>Online programs involve students using one or more websites to access their course resources and assignments. Typically, courses are hosted by a third-party website, often referred to as a learning portal. The learning portal holds course shells and often includes email and other tools for communicating. Students might use their learning portals for forum discussions, reviewing assignment checklists and viewing lecture videos. Assignments can also be located in the online learning portal, and some may be offered on separate websites that act as digital labs. These labs enable students to perform more extensive tasks (such as calculating equations for homework assignments) than learning portals can. </p> <h3 id="section---LoggingIn">Logging In</h3> <p>Many online courses offer asynchronous learning, allowing students to log in at times convenient for them. Some courses might require students to log in for some synchronous items, such as scheduled lectures or exams. Online courses that are fully or primarily asynchronous usually require students to meet submission deadlines once or twice per week; for example, students may need to submit certain items by Wednesday and Sunday nights. </p> <h2 id="section---CommonCourses">Common Courses</h2> <p>Specific courses included in online mathematics bachelor's degree programs vary, but the following courses are often common to these programs. </p> <ul><li><b>Algebra:</b> This course explores various topics including equations, functions, inequalities, complex numbers, matrices and summation. </li><li><b>Differential Equations:</b> In this course, students learn techniques for solving differential equations as well as linear and nonlinear systems. </li><li><b>Probability:</b> This course provides an overview of methods and uses for statistical probability as well as topics such as variance, distribution and correlation. </li><li><b>Analysis:</b> Students explore definitive characteristics of mathematics such as limits, sequences, functions and series of real number systems. </li><li><b>Calculus I:</b> This course explores the key methods and topics of calculus, including optimization, limits, derivatives of functions and continuity. </li><li><b>Calculus II:</b> Students explore topics such as power series, integration and applications, separable equations, convergences tests and polar equations. </li><li><b>Calculus III:</b> Topics covered in this course can include vector fields, calculus of variable functions, multipliers, partial differentiation and LaGrange multipliers. </li></ul><h2 id="section---ProgramLengthForOnlineMathematicsBachelorSDegreePrograms">Program Length for Online Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Programs</h2> <p>The standard length of an online mathematics bachelor's degree program is four years for students who have not yet completed other college coursework. However, students who have completed college coursework previously can often decrease their program time by transferring credits into the required curriculum. Students with a handful of previously completed classes can transfer those in if they are similar to the courses in the mathematics program. For example, a student who completed 5 general education classes at a community college can often transfer those classes into their bachelor's degree program. Students who have earned an associate's degree can usually have 60 credit hours waived from the mathematics program. </p> <p>In addition, some schools award students with academic credits for relevant life experiences or knowledge assessments. For example, a student who has sufficient knowledge from self-study or another source can take an assessment to earn credits and waive the applicable course. These types of experience credits might allow students to earn 6 or more credits. </p> <p>The program length can also vary based on how many classes students choose to take. Most online programs are flexible, allowing students to take as few or as many courses as they wish. A standard 4-year bachelor's degree plan typically has students taking around 30 credit hours per year. Students in online programs can often take more, especially if their programs consist of 8-week (or similar) terms rather than 16-week terms. Here's why: classic semesters are set up to have two 16-week semesters (spring and fall) and a shortened summer semester. A 30-credit-hour year might involve 15 credits over spring and fall with the summer off, or 12 credits for spring and fall and 6 credits in the summer. </p> <p>Students who want heavier course loads could potentially take 18 credits each for fall and spring (36 total) and possibly more in the summer. A student enrolled in a program that has 8-week terms is able to progress through 6 different class cycles, rather than three. They can take 9 credit hours per <i>term,</i> which is the same course load as 18 credits per <i>semester.</i> Taking 9 credits per term would enable that student to complete 54 credit hours over the academic year. </p> <h2 id="section---HowToChooseAnOnlineMathematicsBachelorSDegreeProgram">How to Choose an Online Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Program</h2> <p>When you are deciding on a school for your online mathematics bachelor's degree program, there are a few factors that you should consider. </p> <h3 id="section---ResidencyRequirements">Residency Requirements</h3> <p>Although uncommon, some online mathematics bachelor's degree programs require students to go to a campus or complete some other on-site components. You should ask your admissions representatives if there are any face-to-face requirements for your program choices. </p> <h3 id="section---ProgramsOffered">Programs Offered</h3> <p>If you're interested in a specific concentration or degree (such as BS rather than a BA), make sure that your preferred program is available online. For example: even though an online program shows optional concentrations on the program webpage, the concentrations might require on-campus courses. </p> <h3 id="section---Accreditation">Accreditation</h3> <p>Institutional accreditation shows that a school has met quality criteria, and should mean that you'll have a better experience. Additionally, if you're planning to apply for federal financial aid and student loans, you are required to attend an accredited institution. </p> <h3 id="section---Flexibility">Flexibility</h3> <p>Most online programs allow you to select full-time or part-time study, possibly allowing you to switch between the two. You may need a specific format, so check with your school choices to see what options are available and if they'll work with your schedule. </p> <h3 id="section---Cost">Cost</h3> <p>The cost of an online mathematics bachelor's degree program varies by student and school. Students who are able to transfer or waive credits will have less to complete, decreasing their cost. Most schools charge by credit hour, but some schools offer flat-rate costs by semester. Ask your schools about all applicable costs (tuition and fees) as well as what types of savings you might be eligible for. </p> <h2 id="section---MathLicensureCertification">Math Licensure &amp; Certification</h2> <p>In general, mathematicians and statisticians are not required to have a specific license or certification in the field. However, since a degree in mathematics can lead to a wide range of careers, there are several different math-based careers that students may pursue that do require some sort of license or certification. For example, actuaries usually need certification from the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA), which involves passing multiple exams over the course of several years. Financial analysts may need to obtain a license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to sell financial products after they have secured a job, or may pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification from the CFA Institute to advance their career. Finally, those wishing to work as math educators in public schools need to obtain a state teaching license or certification that qualifies them to teach math in specific grade levels. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatCanYouDoWithAnOnlineMathematicsBachelorSDegree">What Can You Do with an Online Mathematics Bachelor's Degree?</h2> <p>Depending on the concentration chosen (if any), you may be able to pursue one or more of the careers listed below. </p> <h3 id="section---FinancialAnalyst">Financial Analyst</h3> <p>Financial analysts help individuals and businesses understand and make decisions on investments. Their duties can include analyzing market trends, evaluating data, making recommendations and preparing reports. Financial analysts need to have a bachelor's degree in fields such as finance or mathematics, and those selling financial products need to have a license. In addition, many financial analysts obtain certification (such as CFA) after acquiring some work experience, which can help with career advancement. </p> <h3 id="section---CostEstimators">Cost Estimators</h3> <p>Cost estimators use data to estimate what's required to create a service, product or building. Their duties can include identifying what affects cost, such as time and materials, calculating estimates, and making recommendations for cost savings based on their findings. Cost estimators usually need a bachelor's degree. </p> <h3 id="section---MiddleSchoolTeachers">Middle School Teachers</h3> <p>Middle school teachers instruct students in middle school, usually grades sixth through eighth. Their duties usually include creating and carrying out lesson plans, grading assignments, coaching students and meeting with parents. Middle school teachers need to have a bachelor's degree, and those working in public schools are required to have a license. </p> <h3 id="section---HighSchoolTeachers">High School Teachers</h3> <p>High school teachers instruct high school students and help them prepare for life beyond graduation. Their duties often include planning and implementing lessons, working with students to help them succeed, preparing students for standardized tests and grading assignments. High school teachers usually need to have a bachelor's degree. Those working in public schools also need to have state licensure to teach in their specific field. </p> <h3 id="section---Actuaries">Actuaries</h3> <p>Actuaries assess the potential financial costs of events that may occur and help clients find ways to offset or prevent those costs. Their duties can include gathering statistical data, estimating the probability of events, creating policies or strategies, and preparing reports and presentations on their findings. Actuaries need to have a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a related field and typically need to have certification. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Job Title </th><th>Median Annual Salary (2018) </th><th>Estimated Job Growth (2018-2028)</th></tr> <tr><td>Financial Analysts </td><td>$85,660 </td><td>6%</td></tr> <tr><td>Cost Estimators </td><td>$64,040 </td><td>9%</td></tr> <tr><td>Middle School Teachers </td><td>$58,600 </td><td>3%</td></tr> <tr><td>High School Teachers </td><td>$60,320 </td><td>4%</td></tr> <tr><td>Actuaries </td><td>$102,880 </td><td>20%</td></tr> </table><p><i>All salary and outlook data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i></p>