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Mathematics faculty member education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mathematics faculty member. Mathematics faculty members usually study mathematics, electrical engineering, or statistics. 60% of mathematics faculty members hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 199 real mathematics faculty member resumes to see exactly what mathematics faculty member education sections show.

The most common colleges for mathematics faculty members are the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin Colleges.

There are also many online mathematics faculty member courses to help get the education required to be a mathematics faculty member.

What education do you need to become a mathematics faculty member?

What degree do you need to be a mathematics faculty member?

The most common degree for mathematics faculty members is bachelor's degree, with 60% of mathematics faculty members earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 23% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 60%
  • Master's, 23%
  • Doctorate, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a mathematics faculty member?

You should major in mathematics to become a mathematics faculty member. 42% of mathematics faculty members major in mathematics. Other common majors for a mathematics faculty member include electrical engineering and statistics.

Most common colleges for mathematics faculty members

Mathematics faculty members often get their degrees at University of Wisconsin Colleges, Auburn University Main Campus, and Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Here are the most common colleges for mathematics faculty members in the US based on their resumes.
Mathematics faculty member common collegePercentages
University of Wisconsin Colleges9.76%
Auburn University Main Campus7.32%
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania7.32%
Washington State University4.88%
University of Rochester4.88%

Best majors for mathematics faculty members

Best colleges for mathematics faculty members

The best colleges for mathematics faculty members are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A mathematics faculty member with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mathematics faculty members. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mathematics faculty members.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

20 best online courses for mathematics faculty members

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1. Mathematics for Engineers

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This specialization was developed for engineering students to self-study engineering mathematics. We expect students to already be familiar with single variable calculus and computer programming. Through this specialization, students will learn matrix algebra, differential equations, vector calculus, numerical methods, and MATLAB programming. This will provide them with the tools to effectively apply mathematics to engineering problems and be well-equipped to pursue a degree in engineering. To...

2. Mathematics for Machine Learning

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For a lot of higher level courses in Machine Learning and Data Science, you find you need to freshen up on the basics in mathematics - stuff you may have studied before in school or university, but which was taught in another context, or not very intuitively, such that you struggle to relate it to how it’s used in Computer Science. This specialization aims to bridge that gap, getting you up to speed in the underlying mathematics, building an intuitive understanding, and relating it to Machine...

3. Complete linear algebra: theory and implementation in code

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4.7
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Learn concepts in linear algebra and matrix analysis, and implement them in MATLAB and Python...

4. Pre-Algebra Explained

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4.6
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Master Pre-Algebra with 700 Practice Questions! Prepare for High School Math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry...

5. Mathematical Biostatistics Boot Camp 1

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This class presents the fundamental probability and statistical concepts used in elementary data analysis. It will be taught at an introductory level for students with junior or senior college-level mathematical training including a working knowledge of calculus. A small amount of linear algebra and programming are useful for the class, but not required...

6. SQL Mathematical Functions

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Welcome to this project-based course, SQL Mathematical Functions. In this project, you will learn how to use SQL Mathematical Functions to manipulate tables in a database. By the end of this 2-hour-long project, you will be able to use different Mathematical Functions to retrieve the desired result from a database. In this project, you will learn how to use SQL Mathematical Functions like CEIL(), FLOOR(), RANDOM(), SETSEED(), ROUND(), TRUNC(), SQRT(), CBRT(), and POWER() to manipulate data in...

7. Mathematical Foundation For Machine Learning and AI

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Learn the core mathematical concepts for machine learning and learn to implement them in R and python...

8. Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning

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Essential Linear Algebra and Calculus Hands-On in Num Py, Tensor Flow, and Py Torch...

9. Discrete Mathematics

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Master Discrete Math for Computer Science and Mathematics Students...

10. Linear Algebra for Data Science & Machine Learning - Math

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Complete linear algebra - Mathematics for data science, machine learning & Deep Learning - Math for Data Science Algebra...

11. Linear Algebra and Geometry 1

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Systems of equations, matrices, vectors, and geometry...

12. Become an Algebra Master

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Learn everything from Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, then test your knowledge with 1,150+ practice questions...

13. Mathematics for Computer Games Development using Unity

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4.5
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A Beginner's Guide to Essential Mathematics, Data Structures and Algorithms used in Game Programming applied in Unity...

14. Abstract Algebra: Group Theory with the Math Sorcerer

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4.6
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A beautiful course on the Theory of Groups:)...

15. College Level Advanced Linear Algebra! Theory & Programming!

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Linear Algebra (matlab - python) & Matrix Calculus For Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Graphics, Control, & more !...

16. The Beginner's Guide To Understanding Algebra 1 & Algebra 2

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Master The Fundamentals of Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 and be ready to pass any test!...

17. Learn Algebra The Easy Way!

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Algebra Review - Slope, Graphing Linear Equations, Exponents, Factoring, Solving Quadratic Equations, & Radicals...

18. College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, & Trigonometry Explained

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Master College Level Algebra with our Step by Step Video Tutorials. Over 4500 Practice Questions! Ace your Algebra Exam!...

19. Complete Mathematics Masterclass: College & University Level

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All the Applied Mathematics Needed in Science, Programming, Engineering, IT & Business - Theory, Examples & Exercises...

20. Algebra I (Beginning Algebra)

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Videos on a first course in Algebra (Beginning Algebra)...

Top 10 most affordable universities for mathematics faculty members

The most affordable schools for mathematics faculty members are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for mathematics faculty members are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mathematics faculty members.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mathematics faculty members

The hardest universities for mathematics faculty members to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for mathematics faculty members are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mathematics faculty members based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mathematics faculty members

The easiest schools for mathematics faculty members to get into are Felician University, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mathematics faculty member without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mathematics faculty members.

1. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

6. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

7. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

10. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

Average mathematics faculty member salary by education level

According to our data, mathematics faculty members with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,667 annually. Mathematics faculty members with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $57,897.
Mathematics faculty member education levelMathematics faculty member salary
Master's Degree$57,897
Doctorate Degree$65,667

Mathematics faculty member education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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