The List of All U.S. Colleges with an Applied Mathematics Major

Applied mathematics is an engaging field that many high schoolers have never heard of before, but just because you’ve never heard of it doesn’t mean you’ve never used applied mathematics. Simply put, the field of applied mathematics is the study of using math to solve problems in other fields. Usually this means taking math proofs or equations and applying them to solve engineering or scientific problems.

If you love math and often spend time thinking about how you’d use a certain math skill in the real world, applied mathematics might be the right field of study for you. To learn more about how to get into a program in applied mathematics and which U.S. schools offer this major, keep reading.

Why Major in Applied Mathematics in College?

Job growth in the STEM fields is projected to continue its exceptional progress, and the field of applied mathematics is no exception. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of mathematicians and statisticians will grow by 33% between 2006 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for other occupations. As companies become increasingly invested in digitized data, mathematicians will become more and more busy.

Earning potential in the field of applied mathematics is also exceptional. The median wage for a mathematician in 2018 was over $100,000, though most professional mathematicians have at least a Master’s degree.

Applied mathematics can be described as two majors in one. First, students in this field will need to learn higher level math skills, including things like calculus, statistics, and discrete mathematics. In addition, students need to learn about their areas of application. Often, a student will specialize in a specific area of application, such as computer science or engineering. In these cases, students will spend a lot of time learning how to apply their higher level math skills to these specific fields.

If math is something that has always fascinated you, the field of applied mathematics is a great choice.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting In

As is the case with most STEM fields, college admissions are fairly selective in the field of applied mathematics and can be exceptionally so at the top schools. In order to get in to the program of your choice, you’ll need to start planning early and carefully. Here are some of our top tips:

Choose Classes that Highlight Your Strengths in the STEM Fields

Taking AP classes like AP Calculus AB or BC, AP Statistics, and AP Physics can all draw attentions to your strength and commitment to the STEM fields. In addition, these entry level classes might allow you to place out of early prerequisites when you begin a degree in applied mathematics.

Consider STEM Extracurriculars Carefully

Another way to reinforce your interested in the STEM fields is to pursue them outside of the classroom too. Getting involved in robotics club, the science fair, or engineering camps can all be strong choices to highlight your strengths and interest. If you already know the field you’d like to apply your mathematics skills towards, that’s even better—showing off a specific area of specialty can really set you apart in college admissions.

Get a Professional on Your Team

Building a strong admissions team is important if you want to apply to selective programs. Often, the most competitive programs look for unique combinations of skill, well-rounded experience, and strength in specific areas of specialization. If you aren’t familiar with certain programs, you might not know how to put yourself on the right track. You might want to consider a program like the CollegeVine Early Advising Program, which pairs high school ninth and tenth graders with successful students at top-30 schools to provide current high schoolers with advice on everything from selecting classes and extracurriculars to setting and achieving longterm goals.

What Colleges Offer an Applied Mathematics Major?

American University

Appalachian State University

Atlanta Metropolitan State College | AMSC

Auburn University

Azusa Pacific University | APU

Baldwin Wallace University | BW

Belmont University

Boise State University | BSU

Brandeis University

Brigham Young University | BYU

Brigham Young University–Idaho | BYU–Idaho

Brown University

Bucknell University

C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University | LIU Post

California Institute of Technology | Caltech

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Cal Poly Pomona

California State University, Fresno | CSU Fresno

California State University, Fullerton | CSU Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach State

California State University, Northridge | CSUN

Central Michigan University | CMU

Central Washington University | CWU

Charleston Southern University | CSU

Coastal Carolina University | Coastal

Colgate University

College of St. Benedict | CSB

Colorado College

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado School of Mines | Mines

Columbia University

Concordia College (Minnesota)

East Central University | ECU

Emory University

Evangel University

Farmingdale State College | SUNY Farmingdale

Ferris State University

Fitchburg State University

Fontbonne University

Furman University

Geneva College

Georgia Gwinnett College | GGC

Grand View University

Hampden–Sydney College | H–SC

Harris–Stowe State University

Harvard University

Hillsdale College

Huntingdon College

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | IUP

John Jay College of Criminal Justice | CUNY John Jay

Johns Hopkins University | JHU

Kent State University

Kentucky State University | KSU

Lasell College | LC

Louisiana College

Loyola Marymount University | LMU

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University New Orleans

Marist College

Marquette University

Marshall University

Metropolitan State University

Millersville University of Pennsylvania | MU

Millsaps College

Murray State University | MSU

Norfolk State University | NSU

North Carolina State University | NC State

North Dakota State University | NDSU

Northern Arizona University | NAU

Northwest University

Northwestern College

Oakland City University | OCU

Oakwood University

Oberlin College

Ohio Northern University | ONU

Ohio University

Peninsula College

Prairie View A&M University | PVAMU

Presbyterian College

Radford University

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology | RIT

Rockhurst University

Roger Williams University | RWU

Rutgers University–Newark

Saginaw Valley State University | SVSU

Saint Francis University | SFU

San Diego State University | SDSU

San Francisco State University | SF State

San Jose State University | SJSU

Seattle Pacific University | SPU

Siena Heights University | SHU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale | SIU

Southern New Hampshire University | SNHU

Southwestern University

State University of New York at Fredonia | SUNY Fredonia

State University of New York at Oswego | SUNY Oswego

Stevenson University

Temple University

The State University of New York at Buffalo | SUNY Buffalo

The State University of New York at Geneseo | SUNY Geneseo

The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook

The State University of New York Polytechnic Institute | SUNY Poly

Tufts University

University of Akron

University of California, Berkeley | UC Berkeley

University of California, Davis | UC Davis

University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA

University of California, Merced | UC Merced

University of California, San Diego | UCSD

University of Chicago

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder

University of Dallas

University of Jamestown

University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | UMass Dartmouth

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | Minnesota

University of Montana

University of Mount Union

University of New England | UNE

University of New Hampshire | UNH

University of North Florida | UNF

University of Northwestern – St. Paul

University of Notre Dame

University of Pittsburgh | Pitt

University of Rochester

University of Saint Mary | USM

University of San Diego | USD

University of South Carolina Aiken | USC Aiken

University of Southern California | USC

University of St. Thomas (Texas)

University of the Pacific

University of Tulsa

University of Utah

University of Wisconsin-Madison | Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee | UWM

University of Wisconsin–Stout | UW–Stout

Utah Valley University | UVU

Valdosta State University | VSU

Virginia Military Institute | VMI

Walla Walla University

Western Washington University | WWU

Wheaton College (Illinois)

Yale University

Let CollegeVine Help!

As you review the list of colleges that offer an applied mathematics major, keep in mind that your odds of getting into any program will often come boil down to whether or not that school is a good fit for you. Be sure to look at admissions statistics and the profile of the freshman class to determine how your application may stack up to others that that college receives. Also consider things like geographic location, cost, and student resources.  Know that no matter where you apply, your application will be up against many other talented and dedicated applied mathematics hopefuls.

Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.