10 Top Double Majors With a Mathematics Degree

A double major in mathematics can significantly enhance your career opportunities. Physics, education, and economics are just a few great majors to pair with mathematics.

Mathematics is something we use every day. Whether adding up a grocery bill or deciding how many birthday cake slices are needed for party guests, math is all around us. Of course, mathematics in higher education delves much deeper into the field. A mathematics bachelor's degree program teaches students how to:

create math proofs
evaluate math solutions
use math reasoning to solve real-world problems

Earning a degree in math introduces students to careers as financial analysts, statisticians, and more. Adding another major to this degree delivers many more career options. Finance, psychology, chemistry, and education are a handful of the many double major options for mathematics. Choosing the right one for you can undoubtedly take your career to new heights.

Top Mathematics Double Majors

Mathematics is used in numerous fields, so there are plenty of great majors to pair with this degree. Explore the top 10 fields that work well with mathematics as a double major.

1. Education

Students who plan to become teachers can benefit from a double major in mathematics and education. Pairing these two majors can provide students with lesson planning, classroom instruction, and other teaching skills while deepening their knowledge of calculus, geometry, algebraic structures, and more. This double major is great for individuals interested in teaching math in middle school and high school classrooms.

2. Computer Science

Mathematics is one of several fields that helped create computer science. By combining these fields to create a double major, students can learn statistical methods used in image process, algorithms in parallel computing, and much more. After graduating, students will be ready for careers as:

3. Chemistry

Whether students study traditional chemistry, physical chemistry, or computational chemistry, these majors incorporate elements of math, including:

statistics
differential equations
mathematical algorithms

A double major in chemistry involves coursework in:

multivariable calculus
chemical reaction kinetics
probability theory
DNA protein
chemometric imaging

Careers for students with this double major include becoming:

4. Physics

A double major in physics and mathematics highlights many crossovers between the two fields. Differential equations appear in:

electromagnetic theory
continuum mechanics
field theories

Probability is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and dynamics. Students who take on this double major can look forward to in-depth explorations of both fields as they prepare for careers as mathematicians or physicists.

5. English

Mathematics and English may not seem to have much in common, but a double major can show how these fields interact and benefit one another. The mathematics portion of the degree teaches how to use modeling and precision to solve real-world challenges, while English provides reading, writing, and analytical skills that help students effectively communicate their findings. Careers for this double major include:

marketing
banking
insurance
education
journalism

6. Economics

As the field of economics delves more into mathematical analysis, statistics, and differential equations, students could benefit from an economics and mathematics double major. Students can learn about:

general equilibrium theory
mathematical finance
probability theory

A student double majoring in economics and mathematics can pursue graduate education in economics or econometrics or seek employment opportunities involving economic data forecasting.

7. Psychology

Students interested in learning the steps to develop psychological models using math could benefit from a mathematics and psychology double major. This joint degree combines mathematical reasoning, differential equations, and statistics with developmental psychology, sensation, perception, and clinical psychology. Great careers for this double major include:

market research
test development
logistics
research and development

8. Business

Combining business and mathematics majors can give students in-depth insight into portfolio management, market forecasting, auditing, and sampling. Math courses will likely include:

probability
statistical theory
modeling
regression
computational methods

Students interested in mathematical finance, financial market research, budget analysis, and stockbroking can find great careers with this double major.

9. Philosophy

Philosophy and mathematics can work well together as a double major since math plays a role in philosophical concepts like the decidability of propositions and the philosophy of science. Mathematical logic, combinatorics, statistical theory, regression, and mathematical modeling are just a few math courses that align with a philosophy major. Students interested in these fields can find diverse careers in:

business
technology
education
public policy

10. Engineering

Students who are interested in majoring in engineering can expect to take a variety of math classes. This makes a double major a great choice since many courses may overlap or complement one another.

An engineering degree can teach students about:

advanced engineering analysis and algorithm design
engineering systems behavior
many other concepts involving advanced mathematics

After graduating, students will leave their programs with a strong mathematics base, preparing them for various STEM roles.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major means a student earning one degree while learning two majors. For example, instead of earning a Bachelor of Arts in communication, which includes one major, you might earn a Bachelor of Arts in communication and marketing.

Earning a double major differs from earning a major and minor in two fields. Adding a second major to your degree typically means taking more classes to meet the graduation criteria for both majors.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

What makes a double major different from a dual degree is the number of degrees you earn. While a double major results in one degree with two majors, a dual degree results in two degrees.

For example, you might want to study accounting and political science. An example of a double major in these fields would be a Bachelor of Science in accounting and political science. On the other hand, a dual degree might be a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

FAQs About Double Majoring With Mathematics

Want to learn more about double majoring with mathematics? Explore these frequently asked questions.

Can You Double Major With Mathematics?

Yes, many schools will allow you to double major with mathematics. The key is finding the right major to add to your mathematics degree. Working with your academic advisor can help you pick a combination that aligns with your career goals.

Is a Double Major With Mathematics Worth It?

Adding a major to your mathematics degree is worth the time and effort required to earn the extra credits. You can learn numerous skills to help you stand out in the eyes of employers. Since you usually don't need to earn the same number of credits as two separate degrees, you can also save on tuition costs.

What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring With Mathematics?

Double majoring in mathematics and another field helps you gain expertise in two areas of study. You'll improve your ability to qualify for more jobs after graduating and enjoy better job security since you'll always have two fields to lean on.

Will a Double Major With Mathematics Improve My Career Outlook?

A double major in mathematics can make a significant difference in your career outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for data scientists, which is a top math-based career, is expected to grow 35% from 2022 to 2032. Adding a major to your mathematics degree helps you qualify for even more top roles.