What Are the Math Requirements for College?

Ready to start college but not sure if you meet all the requirements for admission your college of choice has set?

You're not alone ?plenty of high school seniors are concerned about taking the best, most advanced classes so they can be one of the first people considered by colleges.

So how do you know what college math requirements you have to meet? Are the requirements different for different colleges or majors?

While requirements do differ by major, as we'll discuss later, most colleges want you to complete three to four years of high school math, ranging from algebra and geometry to trigonometry or calculus.

Check below for more details about college math requirements.

Basic College Math Requirements for Freshman Students

If you want to make sure you meet the basic requirements for college admission while taking your high school math courses, most states make it easy for you.

For example, in North Carolina, public schools have consolidated their math courses into Math 1, 2, and 3 ?they teach important math basics like what used to be taught in algebra and geometry courses.

From there, your fourth math course can be your choice.

Depending on what major you want to pursue in college, you could take calculus, statistics, trigonometry, or some other advanced math course that your high school offers.

The University of North Carolina system accepts discrete mathematics, precalculus, integrated math IV, and essentials for college math courses as 4th math courses for students, but more advanced math courses are also fine.

According to the College Board, high school students need to take at least algebra and geometry courses to pass admissions tests and do well in college-level math courses.

Any math after that just increases your competitiveness and preparedness while applying.

Advanced Math Courses Colleges Look For

If algebra and geometry are your basic college math requirements, what are the more advanced courses that some colleges may require or look for when determining your admission status?

Well, that can depend on what courses are offered by your high school.

Not every public high school will offer trigonometry, statistics, pre-calculus, and calculus at the same time.

In addition, many classes that teach the same or similar things have different names; 'advanced algebra' classes may just be a form of pre-calculus, and integrated mathematics IV is just a mashup of multiple advanced math courses.

As for what colleges look for in advanced, competitive students, calculus is the absolute cream of the crop.

It's the most advanced form of mathematics taught by public high schools and is often necessary for math and science-heavy majors in college.

Just remember that skipping out on calculus will not prevent you from pursuing math-focused majors in college; calculus is offered in colleges just as often as in high schools, so you'll always have the opportunity to advance your math skills later in your education.

Taking advanced courses early definitely shows your readiness and capability, but it is not required.

Different Expectations For Different College Majors

Often, different majors will include different course requirements and expectations even within the same college.

When it comes to college math requirements, majors can be sorted into two general categories: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and SLAM (Statistics and Liberal Arts Math) majors.

SLAM Majors

High school students may be interested in a SLAM major, such as:

• Communications
• General Education
• Journalism
• Marketing

Students who are interested in these majors who don't plan to take calculus should consider:

• Statistics and Probability
• Finance
• Any business-specific math electives

Despite being considered a SLAM major, some business majors will require calculus to be taken either in college or in high school, so keep in mind that STEM-focused courses may be the better option for anyone pursuing a business career.

However, depending on what the college you're applying to is known for, you may need to take more advanced math classes just to be considered for admission in general.

For example, universities like Duke University are well-known for their science-related majors, so they have more stringent science and math requirements regardless of what major you want to pursue while attending.

STEM Majors

Some college majors that high school students interested in STEM should take include:

• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Biological Sciences
• Software Development
• Physical Sciences

Students who want to pursue these majors should focus on completing math courses like:

• Pre-Calculus
• Calculus
• Advanced Algebra

Most, if not all, STEM majors require calculus to be taken during high school or college, with pre-calculus often being required in high school if it's available.

Students who plan to major in STEM should take as many math and science courses as possible while in high school so they can choose from a variety of specializations in STEM and prove they're ready and able to do advanced work in difficult college courses related to their major.

Find a Degree Program That Works for You Today

Now that you know about the college math requirements you need to meet for specific colleges and majors, it's time for you to find the degree program that meets your needs and capabilities in math.

Let Learn.org help you find your ideal college degree today.