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Is admission standard for math PhD significantly higher than that for physics PhD?

I'm a student at a small LAC, and I'm considering to apply to both math and physics PhD programs. In my school, which is top 15 but do not have large (20 students in each dep.) or well-known departments for either of these fields, students did significantly better on physics PhD admission than on math PhD admission. For math, many students go instead to master's, and only one or two students can make top 40~70 PhD program per year. For physics, some students went to Caltech, Columbia, UCSB, and other high ranked programs in the last year, which was just as usual. A similar phenomena seem to happen not only in my school. Mathgre.com and Physicsgre.com list applicant profiles and admission results for each PhD program, and they show a similar tendency. For example, students accepted to top pure math PhD programs are exclusively those who got nearly 4.0 GPA, took many grad-level courses, had a significant amount of research experience and come from an undergrad institution with a renowned PhD program. On the other hand, students accepted to top physics PhD programs have more diversity in GPA, their undergrad institution, number of grad-level courses taken and amount of research experience.

What causes this difference? Or is my view wrong? If this difference actually exists, I think the following factors are among the causes:

• Physics PhDs are funded more, and therefore more students can be afforded.
• Physics PhDs have both theoretical and applied subdivisions, while many applied math programs exist as master's programs.
• Math PhDs demand its applicants to take a significant number of grad-level courses, while physics ones don't.

Also, how about the situation when it comes to pure math vs. hep-th in the U.S.?

• mathematics

• 7 Is your first sentence saying that your university 1) is a small liberal arts college, 2) is one of the top 15 universities in the country, and 3) does not have a strong mathematics or physics department? I don't think all three of these can be true simultaneously. –  Tom Church Commented Sep 23, 2015 at 2:46
• 3 I mean it's one of the top 15 LACs in the country, so it's not an university, and the ranking excludes universities. Although it has strong departments in other natural science topics, our math and physics deps are not the ones. 2) and 3) can be simultaneously true only when 1) is also satisfied. –  Math.StackExchange Commented Sep 23, 2015 at 2:51
• 15 I'm a physicist. I'm just speculating, but it seems likely to me that a physics grad student is seen as valuable cheap labor in an experimental research group, whereas a grad student is a burden in both math and theoretical physics. In an area like high-energy particle physics, a grad student is a cog in the wheel. No originality or independence of thought is required. If you're willing to pull cables and debug software, you're an asset. –  user1482 Commented Sep 23, 2015 at 23:35
• Thanks for your comment. In the U.S. is the admission for experimental hep PhD usually separated from the admission for hep-th? I'm not familiar with the process in the U.S., but many PhD programs in the U.S. seem to have the same admission process for both experimental hep and hep-th. If they are not usually separated, do students officially select their "concentration" after entering to the program? –  Math.StackExchange Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 0:31
• 2 @AranKomatsuzaki: Usually you apply to the department as a whole, but you state a likely area of research or whether you're leaning toward theory or experiment. If you say you want to do string theory, your application may be considered more skeptically than if you say you want to be an experimentalist. In the US, there is normally a lot of coursework at the beginning of a PhD program. That coursework is an opportunity for students to get a feel for whether they would be likely to succeed as theorists. –  user1482 Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 15:04

This is an attempt to gather some data supporting or refuting your hypothesis (or rather a slightly different one). Ideally, we would like a direct comparison of admission rates at top places, but I could only find limited data on admissions rates, so let me start elsewhere. At any rate, some of this data may be of interest.

The annual number of bachelor's degrees in physics is about 8000. From the AMS's annual survey , this number for math is about 28,000. This suggests there may be a lot more PhD program applicants for math. However, I don't have data separating out which math degrees are on a math ed track (or similarly for physics, though I guess the numbers are much greater for math ed), and these people are unlikely to pursue PhDs.

What about actual numbers of PhD students? I didn't see 1st year PhD numbers in physics for recent years but this slightly dated data puts it around 3000 new grad students in physics/astronomy (with about 93% aiming for PhDs), whereas the AMS annual survey has around 3600, and around 5000 if you include masters programs. (Stats and biostats is separate with around 2000, I guess including masters.) These statistics also say the number of physics versus math phd's awarded in recent years are pretty similar (about 1500-1600 for physics compared to 1400 for math). So there may be many more "potential" PhD applicants in math, but both math and physics students seem to compete for roughly the same number of slots in grad programs. (I don't know about how many of the PhD enrollments were domestic BS/BA holders, but we might guess the numbers are comparable as about 54% of enrollments were US citizens.)

So the above data tenuously supports your hypothesis. Can we check this with some actual admission rates?

For physics schools, this website has grad school admission rates. For top schools, the admissions rate seems to be around 10-15% (though Penn State seems to be an anomaly). Unfortunately, I don't know such a nice tool for math schools, but a few math departments mention their admission rates. Northwestern is around 17% (about the same as for their physics program, 16.4%). Notre Dame's is around 20% (a little lower than their 26% for physics).

These were all I could easily find and I'm afraid it's not enough to make any real conclusions, but I might speculate that top math phd programs are only somewhat more competitive than top physics ones if at all. (And in terms of undergrad research experience, I would guess that's more common in physics than in math.)

Edit: One qualitative issue for why you're seeing what you're seeing could be that top schools in math get lots of applications and if an admissions committee isn't familiar with a department, it doesn't know how to evaluate a transcript or the letters of recommendation from there, so it will tend to play it safe and accept students from places it's more familiar with. This is one reason why it's very helpful for students at small, relatively unknown schools to do programs like REUs (or a master's first) where a letter writer from there can compare you with a wide range of students. That said, I know many people who have gone straight from small, relatively unknown schools directly to top math PhD programs.

• I really appreciate your effort to gather all these data. I'm surprised to see some of the facts you mentioned and from your link. 1) # of physics bachelor's is only 8k/y. This sounds like physics is one of a few least popular majors among the departments which exist in almost every colleges in the U.S. Maybe media is exaggerating difficulty of physics, and youngsters were discouraged. 2) Acceptance rate of physics programs are much higher than expected (I thought ~5% for top ones). While top math PhD programs enrollment are roughly 20/r, physics –  Math.StackExchange Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 4:08
• PhD seems to have more capacity. 3) Some of lower ranked programs have pretty low acceptance rate. Penn state, while it's ranked high, is probably not for me. 4) This may be a well-known fact, but about a half PhD students in math and physics can't get PhD. The following list of universities attended by math PhD students at Harvard and UC Berkeley gave me an idea of how prestige of undergrad institution matters in admission for math PhD (because better education nurtured better students). reddit.com/r/math/comments/296e60/… –  Math.StackExchange Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 4:12
• 6 That only 8,000 bachelor's degrees are awarded to physics students at American universities annually made my eyes pop out. I would have guessed a much larger figure. So a big +1 for presenting hard data. –  Pete L. Clark Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 5:01
• 3 Another point to consider is that people that end up in physics departments come from a variety of backgrounds. I'm a physicist myself but we have plenty of chemists, materials scientists, IT guys and the odd mathematician in my department. I would guess it's mostly only mathematicians trying to make it to maths PhD programs. –  Miguel Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 6:24
• 2 @AranKomatsuzaki Regarding your point 4), I'm guessing that most of the PhD students at top schools can get PhDs. At Caltech in math, almost everyone who started finished, and those who didn't were usually the ones who decided it wasn't for them during their 1st year, so I don't think that's as bleak as it seems. Also, see edit about undergrad institution. –  Kimball Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 12:29

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Department of Mathematics

Mathematics phd program.

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Mathematics provides students with in-depth knowledge and rigorous training in all the subject areas of mathematics. A core feature is the first-year program, which helps bring students to the forefront of modern mathematics. Students work closely with faculty and each other and participate fully in both research and student-run seminars.

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Center for Mathematics Education (CFME)

Doctoral degree.

The program options in Mathematics Education offered through the Center for Mathematics Education are among the strongest in the country. For advanced degree candidates seeking the doctorate, the Center offers specialization in mathematics education in both Ph.D. and Ed.D. program options. Elementary, middle grades, secondary, or college level mathematics education may be emphasized in these graduate programs. Qualified candidates should have K-12 or postsecondary mathematics teaching experience, or other relevant experience in mathematics education (e.g., research, curriculum development) and have completed a Masters degree in a mathematics education or mathematics-related field by the start of the doctoral program. 

Doctoral Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program in Mathematics Education requires 60 units of coursework beyond a Master's degree, including four foundational courses in mathematics education, as well as coursework in mathematics, learning theory and research methodologies. Electives allow for coursework in educational leadership, urban education, evaluation design, college teaching, or other areas relevant to the student's goals. Students must also pass comprehensive exams as well as complete a doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral Program Requirement Details 

Doctoral Course Descriptions 

Admission Requirements & Deadlines 

Fey-Graeber Fellowships for Doctoral Study

Since 2007, through support provided by the Center for Mathematics Education together with the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership (TLPL), mathematics education doctoral candidates are eligible for Fey-Graeber fellowships. Fey-Graeber fellows are supported through a combination of assistantships and additional fellowship moneys for 5 years of full-time doctoral study. Fey-Graeber fellows also receive some travel support and some support for dissertation expenses, as well as health insurance benefits , access to the University Health Center , and tuition remission for courses in the doctoral program. For two out of the five years, Fey-Graeber fellows will receive support from CfME so that they only need to work 10 hours a week, rather than 20 hour a week in their assistantships. This level of financial support is designed to support the Fey-Graeber fellows toward making rapid progress to completion of the Ph.D. in mathematics education. While receiving financial support, fellows must be registered as full-time graduate students as defined by the University of Maryland.

Math majors beware: most of you are wasting time and money

<p>Here’s a story for all the math majors and future math majors reading this:</p>

<p>I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math 6 years ago. I graduated with honors and a good GPA from a good college. My current job prospects are horrible. I am stuck at a dead end programming job where I earn less than $40,000 per year even though I live close to a major US city and have over 5 years of work experience. I make less money than my “dumb” friends from high school currently make.</p>

<p>Perhaps I’m to blame for thinking that being good at math meant I was intelligent, but I feel morally obliged to warn people reading this who might be on the same boat. My honest suggestion to you is to major in something else. Unless you want to be a math teacher or an actuary, I implore you not to listen to anyone who tells you that you can do a million things with a math degree and that you should major in anything you want and the money will follow. Those are cliches and empty promises that don’t mean anything in the real world.</p>

<p>You could argue that you could major in math and possibly end up with a programming job, since I did it, but don’t expect to get hired to work as a software engineer unless you have additional qualifications, expect to work doing quality assurance or fixing code. It doesn’t matter how smart you think your degree in math makes you, you can’t compete with the millions of computer science majors in this country when it comes to programming jobs.</p>

<p>If you like finance, accounting, science, engineering, or some other subject, why not major in that subject? Why waste your time and money learning math formulas that will be of no use to you in the real world? If you major in math, and end up working as an accountant, don’t you think you would be a more competitive candidate for accounting jobs if you had majored in accounting?</p>

<p>That’s my advice to you guys. Do whatever you want with your lives but if you end up like me don’t say that you were not warned.</p>

<p>Is this the normal fate for math majors at your school?</p>

<p>I have to say, I’ve heard this same advice. If you major in math and then go on to get a masters or Ph.D, that’s one thing. But really, there aren’t many things that simply having a BA in mathematics will qualify you for.</p>

<p>I think the same advice can be said for anyone who majors in the liberal arts.</p>

<p>OP, I’m so sorry that you are having such a hard time finding meaningful employment, but I’m not sure you can blame it entirely on your math degree. Quite frankly, the job market right now is brutal for the vast majority of folks – regardless of college major, work experience, or even location, for that matter. I personally know both engineering and business/finance graduates (getting their degrees in the past 2 or 3 years) who are currently working as telemarketers and as sales clerks. I also know some people who have math degrees that are doing quite well working for government agencies and defense contractors. </p>

<p>There is no guarantee that switching to another major like finance, accounting, or engineering will get you a good job either.</p>

<p>Sounds like a good argument for getting a BS instead.</p>

<p>except I don’t think you could get a job programing with a liberal arts degree</p>

<p>Are you serious? Math majors are heavily recruited for investment banking jobs, especially at the top universities. They’re also valuable for quantitative analysis, making them very appealing to hedge funds and the private equity industry.</p>

<p>i think OP is a ■■■■■. Math major have tremendous opportunities in the job market</p>

<p>I’m surprised to here your situation, I figured Math majors would have more opportunities.</p>

<p>Perhaps you could invest in some further education or training in a skill that balances out your resume better? Would you have any interest in getting your MBA? Or maybe even a Communications MA?</p>

<p>I work as an Investigative Analyst, it’s not rockstar work, and I don’t make major money (just a fact of life for this sorta thing), but the work is interesting. I think a Math major would be really marketable for what I do, especially if they balanced out their skill set with writing and communication.</p>

<p>Have you looked into being a Business Analyst? Perhaps a MBA should be in your future, help you get into management and get out of the trenches.</p>

<p>An applied mathematics majors has awesome prospects. If you go on to grad school using your math background and obtain an MBA or go get an economics grad degree. Obviously alone it might not be as marketable, but most math majors I know also majored in something else to apply their mathematics skills.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would try and apply your math skills in finance - where they are highly sought after. I think you are just unlucky in this economy as well as a pessimistic person - two things that do not combine well right now. You will be OK - just find another way because obviously you aren’t happy with what you are going through right now.</p>

<p>I agree with what others said, it seems like you need to find a way to apply your math skills. You don’t need to be smart to know that a pure math degree is a lot less practical than an applied math degree.</p>

<p>Hmm, this article seems to find something different - [The</a> Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ.com ](<a href=“ The Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ ”> The Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ ).</p>

<p>I believe finding a job after college is what you make it. I met one girl inside of my school who majored in mathematics and is now working for SunTrust corporate (she is NOT a bank teller). If you do internships, network and apply for many different types of jobs related to your major, you will find many different types of jobs. Especially if your a mathematician where the average salary is 90K.</p>

<p>Y2kplaya92, the math majors I was friends with either teach, work as actuaries, or pursued advanced math degrees.</p>

<p>Recharge, the emphasis of those jobs is business and finance, not math. If you like those subjects, why not get a degree in those subjects?</p>

<p>Xptboy, I wish.</p>

<p>BIGeastBEAST, I am not interested in those subjects.</p>

<p>TheMan777, I think you are right.</p>

<p>shravas, the WSJ article does not contradict my advice in any way. Just because mathematician, actuary and statistician rank at the top of the best jobs list doesn’t mean that those jobs are easy to come by or that math majors in general are qualified for those jobs. Mathematician is a job that requires PhD level math skills. If all you have is a BA then that job is not for you. Actuary is a possibility if you are interested in studying for the actuarial exams. Statistician is another possibility if you like that stuff, but remember that not all math majors like that branch of mathematics.</p>

<p>I agree with mathematik. </p>

<p>The issue is that while math majors are smart enough to do a lot of things many others aren’t, you don’t NEED to be that intellectually inclined to do a lot of jobs that pay fairly well - you need to get the job done, and do it well. As hinted, a math major may not be interested enough to do these things.</p>

<p>While one COULD do this, one of the reasons math majors study what they study is they’re not into these things. I am sure math majors have opportunities if they plan accordingly, but not all do.</p>

<p>TheMan777 offers I think the most practical advice for a math major who wants to make it financially. </p>

<p>I think what they mean is there are a lot of places you can apply math, which is true. But one has to train specifically, perhaps with a master’s degree, to have a specific place to actually apply the math.</p>

<p>Nobody really needs you to be able to write proofs about classical theory, which is what the major trains you in. However, the major certifies you are intelligent which gets you tremendous opportunity if you can show you have practical skills. E.g. if you DO know statistics really well and understand math, you are in a good position. Basic math courses can help you get specialized in something like economics - econ grad school loves math courses.</p>

<p>But the bottom line is as a math major, if you’re smart enough to do it, you should be prepared for higher education to train in employable skills - either a PhD to go to academia or something else.</p>

<p>A BA in Math, you’re right does very little but a PhD in Mathemcatics can lead to academia or finance (most hedge funds and such are run by applied mathematicians).</p>

<p>So math is mostly useful as an embellishment on the transcript. Abstract math isn’t very applicable in society. Smart people go to waste. I find this very sad. :(</p>

<p>I was suppose to find math very interesting. A lot of things in natures can be explained by math. But then, all the tedious proofs have repulsed me from math forever. I find this very sad as well. :(</p>

<p>^ The reason we know that the math describes nature is because of the proofs. Also it is one of the few things in life that can be conclusively proved ,there are a set of axioms, but still there is no “debate” in it.</p>

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Ph.D. Program in Mathematics

Degree requirements.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree in mathematics must fulfill a number of different departmental requirements.

NYU Shanghai Ph.D. Track

The Ph.D. program also offers students the opportunity to pursue their study and research with Mathematics faculty based at NYU Shanghai. With this opportunity, students generally complete their coursework in New York City before moving full-time to Shanghai for their dissertation research. For more information, please visit the  NYU Shanghai Ph.D. page .

Sample course schedules (Years 1 and 2) for students with a primary interest in:

Applied Math (Math Biology, Scientific Computing, Physical Applied Math, etc.)

Additional information for students interested in studying applied math is available here .

Probability

PDE/Analysis

The Written Comprehensive Examination

The examination tests the basic knowledge required for any serious mathematical study. It consists of the three following sections: Advanced Calculus, Complex Variables, and Linear Algebra. The examination is given on three consecutive days, twice a year, in early September and early January. Each section is allotted three hours and is written at the level of a good undergraduate course. Samples of previous examinations are available in the departmental office. Cooperative preparation is encouraged, as it is for all examinations. In the fall term, the Department offers a workshop, taught by an advanced Teaching Assistant, to help students prepare for the written examinations.

Entering students with a solid preparation are encouraged to consider taking the examination in their first year of full-time study. All students must take the examinations in order to be allowed to register for coursework beyond 36 points of credit; it is recommended that students attempt to take the examinations well before this deadline. Graduate Assistants are required to take the examinations during their first year of study.

For further details, consult the page on the written comprehensive exams .

The Oral Preliminary Examination

This examination is usually (but not invariably) taken after two years of full-time study. The purpose of the examination is to determine if the candidate has acquired sufficient mathematical knowledge and maturity to commence a dissertation. The phrase "mathematical knowledge" is intended to convey rather broad acquaintance with the basic facts of mathematical life, with emphasis on a good understanding of the simplest interesting examples. In particular, highly technical or abstract material is inappropriate, as is the rote reproduction of information. What the examiners look for is something a little different and less easy to quantify. It is conveyed in part by the word "maturity." This means some idea of how mathematics hangs together; the ability to think a little on one's feet; some appreciation of what is natural and important, and what is artificial. The point is that the ability to do successful research depends on more than formal learning, and it is part of the examiners' task to assess these less tangible aspects of the candidate's preparation.

The orals are comprised of a general section and a special section, each lasting one hour, and are conducted by two different panels of three faculty members. The examination takes place three times a year: fall, mid-winter and late spring. Cooperative preparation of often helpful and is encouraged. The general section consists of five topics, one of which may be chosen freely. The other four topics are determined by field of interest, but often turn out to be standard: complex variables, real variables, ordinary differential equations, and partial differential equations. Here, the level of knowledge that is expected is equivalent to that of a one or two term course of the kind Courant normally presents. A brochure containing the most common questions on the general oral examination, edited by Courant students, is available at the Department Office.

The special section is usually devoted to a single topic at a more advanced level and extent of knowledge. The precise content is negotiated with the candidate's faculty advisor. Normally, the chosen topic will have a direct bearing on the candidate's Ph.D. dissertation.

All students must take the oral examinations in order to be allowed to register for coursework beyond 60 points of credit. It is recommended that students attempt the examinations well before this deadline.

The Dissertation Defense

The oral defense is the final examination on the student's dissertation. The defense is conducted by a panel of five faculty members (including the student's advisor) and generally lasts one to two hours. The candidate presents his/her work to a mixed audience, some expert in the student's topic, some not. Often, this presentation is followed by a question-and-answer period and mutual discussion of related material and directions for future work.

Summer Internships and Employment

The Department encourages Ph.D. students at any stage of their studies, including the very early stage, to seek summer employment opportunities at various government and industry facilities. In the past few years, Courant students have taken summer internships at the National Institute of Health, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and NASA, as well as Wall Street firms. Such opportunities can greatly expand students' understanding of the mathematical sciences, offer them possible areas of interest for thesis research, and enhance their career options. The Director of Graduate Studies and members of the faculty (and in particular the students' academic advisors) can assist students in finding appropriate summer employment.

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PhD Qualifying Exams

The requirements for the PhD program in Mathematics have changed for students who enter the program starting in Autumn 2023 and later. 

Requirements for the Qualifying Exams

Students who entered the program prior to autumn 2023.

To qualify for the Ph.D. in Mathematics, students must pass two examinations: one in algebra and one in real analysis. 

Students who entered the program in Autumn 2023 or later

To qualify for the Ph.D. in Mathematics, students must choose and pass examinations in two of the following four areas: 

• real analysis
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The exams each consist of two parts. Students are given three hours for each part.

Topics Covered on the Exams:

• Algebra Syllabus
• Real Analysis Syllabus
• Geometry and Topology Syllabus
• Applied Mathematics Syllabus

Check out some Past and Practice Qualifying Exams to assist your studying.

Because some students have already taken graduate courses as undergraduates, incoming graduate students are allowed to take either or both of the exams in the autumn. If they pass either or both of the exams, they thereby fulfill the requirement in those subjects. However, they are in no way penalized for failing either of the exams.

Students must pass both qualifying exams by the autumn of their second year. Ordinarily first-year students take courses in algebra and real analysis throughout the year to prepare them for the exams. The exams are then taken at the beginning of Spring Quarter. A student who does not pass one or more of the exams at that time is given a second chance in Autumn. 

Students who started in Autumn 2023 and later

Students must choose and pass two out of the four qualifying exams by the autumn of their second year. Students take courses in algebra, real analysis, geometry and topology, and applied math in the autumn and winter quarters of their first year to prepare them for the exams. The exams are taken during the first week of Spring Quarter. A student who does not pass one or more of the exams at that time is given a second chance in Autumn. 

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Is a PhD worth it? ( self.academia )

submitted 1 year ago by [deleted]

What are your thoughts and perspectives, I am considering to pursue a PhD in computational biology/neurogenetics but not sure it it worth it in long run (also for jobs after finishing PhD program)

• 14 comments

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Post a comment!

[–] DangerousBill 8 points 9 points 10 points 1 year ago *   (2 children)

If you stop at a bachelor's or master's, your eventual boss might have a PhD. The advanced degree isn't for everyone, but it opens up depth and variety in your career options.

My PhD took me into six different specialties at five different employers ranging over government, industry, and academia.

A friend of mine worked on a single enzyme for his entire career, ending up as president of his university. Anything is possible.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (1 child)

True, thanks for the insight. Your career path is really amazing, in what field was your PhD?

[–] DangerousBill 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

Biochemistry, but post docs in virus genetics and enzymology.

[–] [deleted] 3 points 4 points 5 points 1 year ago   (2 children)

40-60% of graduate students don’t finish their PhDs. The only reason to do a PhD is if you are sufficiently passionate about a field that you want to devote 4-5 years to mastery of a highly specific component of it. If you don’t have that level of passion, you won’t finish. As for career prospects: it’s a crapshoot.

[–] _XtalDave_ -1 points 0 points 1 point 1 year ago   (1 child)

Woah, where are you where the drop out rate is so high? Here in the UK the combination of failure and drop out rate is ~20%

[–] [deleted] 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

[–] DeepSeaDarkness 4 points 5 points 6 points 1 year ago   (1 child)

Do you want to do research as a career?

[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

Yes, but doing research is also possible in companies for example so that’s why it seems difficult to decide

[–] FOXO1_IGMBC 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

If you have to ask, you already know the answer. Once you start, you will continue to ask that question every year, and it will get harder and harder to justify the answer. Many will talk about the benefits after but you need to remember that you have to finish first, and if your asking this question as a graduate student the answer for just yourself is inevitably no.

[–] CptNemo55 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (2 children)

Well, it depends, what is the reason you want to get a PhD?

I want to get it as it allows for my research to have more societal impact, and the focus lies more on the research than just profit and money which can be the case in companies. And I enjoy going to conferences and am passionate about the topic

[–] CptNemo55 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

Ok, all good reasons. What do you plan to do for a job after you have PhD?

[–] sbby31 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

I think that, unfortunately, it is a personal decision. Your career aspects in that field are probably decent with or without a PhD. You can definitely get yourself into a role that supports research (research that greatly benefits society, if you are lucky) with a bachelors/masters degree, and many people are very happy in that kind of role.

I assume you are relatively young (20s-ish). Doing a PhD will rob you of the experience of having money pretty early in life, and that is a dealbreaker for some (no judgement, there is no right or wrong answer). The job market for PhDs is no longer a "sure thing" that guarantees you wealth/tenure later in life.

I got my PhD in a roughly comparable field- I did it mostly because I wanted the option to lead research efforts or teach afterwards. I do not think I would be happy in a bachelors level role working under PhDs who lead the research efforts, or in an industry role where I have very little autonomy, and I stand by that decision. I decided that was important to me and endured 5 years of BS getting another slip of paper. I am not far along enough in my career to know if a PhD was the right call, but so far it has worked out well for me and I am glad I did it.

[–] marcopoloman 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

I did my PhD a few years ago. It did get me a much higher paying teaching position.

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What Can You Do With a Math Major? 10 Great Jobs to Explore

It’s not rocket science for me to guess that if you’re a math major—or potential math major—you likely love numbers and problem-solving. But what can you do with that passion once you get your degree? As someone who advises college students on career paths and job searches, I can share that the answer is: a lot!

“The types of skills that math majors develop really allow them to do nearly anything that they want to,” says Libby Doucet, a career advisor at MIT who supports math students (and a coworker of mine!). But while having numerous options is exciting, all these choices can also be a big cause of stress, confusion, and anxiety. If you’re like many other students, you may be overwhelmed by the possibilities or unsure what some of these jobs even are and what you’d be interested in.

We’ve compiled 10 jobs that are a great match if you have a math degree—but first let’s take a look at the skills that make math majors shine.

Top Skills Math Majors Bring to Any Job

Math majors develop many essential skills that are sought after by employers and—extra perk!—they’re  transferable across jobs and industries. Here are six top skills you’ll likely gain by completing a math degree:

• Analytical and quantitative skills: Perhaps unsurprisingly,  analytical and quantitative skills are key strengths of math majors. Math classes present you with many situations and problems that require an analytical eye—whether you need to determine the best equation, identify a pattern, or solve for a missing data point. And to come to accurate solutions, you need strong quantitative skills. Employers value analytical and quantitative skills, Doucet says. “Having that type of mindset when you're working on problems is particularly important” in many jobs—especially those where you'll need to make decisions based on large amounts of information.
• Critical thinking: While quantitative skills tend to be more rooted in facts and numbers, math majors also develop the ability to think critically by evaluating all types of evidence—or lack thereof—and drawing informed conclusions. Math majors constantly take in information, evaluate it, and make decisions. The ability to consider multiple variables or outcomes and to develop a comprehensive, clear, and logical position to share with others is invaluable in almost every job.
• Problem-solving skills: A  top skill employers seek is  problem-solving —as any organization or employee will encounter challenges during their work. Someone with the ability not only to point out a problem, but also to assess an issue, think of solutions, and propose the best approach is an employer’s dream come true. Math majors are inquisitive and have experience considering complex problems in different ways and thinking outside the box to develop creative solutions, Doucet says, which are incredibly useful skills across roles and industries.
• Attention to detail: In math, one flawed calculation can set off a reaction that invalidates the rest of your work and leads to the wrong answer. So math majors quickly learn how to pay attention to tiny details and take an organized approach to their work. Math majors are also skilled in identifying where an error may have occurred. I’ve heard employers mention frequently that they’re looking for detail-oriented employees because they’re reliable, produce excellent work, and avoid errors—and math majors often fit the bill.
• Communication skills: Math majors develop strong communication skills to defend the logic behind their proposals and solutions. They often need to break down larger problems into smaller ones, explain complex issues or thinking patterns, or offer clear reasoning behind their decision-making processes and outcomes, giving them practice in a range of communication skills they can apply to areas beyond math.
• Computer skills: Depending on your specific coursework, you may gain experience using statistical modeling, databases, programming, or algorithms to solve complex problems. Employers of all kinds—from online travel companies to trading firms—are looking for candidates with these skills, and they greatly expand the types of jobs you can land.

These skills position math majors as strong candidates for many jobs, and below are just a few options. (We’ve included salary info from PayScale, which updates its database  nightly , so click on the average salary links to see up-to-date numbers!)

1. Data Analyst

Average salary : $61,650

Data analysts wrangle vast sets of quantitative or qualitative information to extract useful insights and are in demand across all industries. Depending on their exact position and employer, they may or may not conduct data collection, but they frequently manage, interpret, and draw valuable conclusions and recommendations from data sets. For example, an entertainment company may want to know how consumers engage with a particular franchise across their business sectors. Are fans of the movie more likely to go to the theme park with related attractions or to purchase a comic book?

Critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to communicate compelling stories from identified patterns are also desirable skills for this role, as are statistical skills, which you’ll likely gain in your coursework. Because of the large amount of information data analysts work with, it’s helpful to have experience with programming languages or software that can help parse or present the data, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), Tableau, or even Microsoft Excel. And if you’ve done some programming or data visualization, you can more easily land some entry-level roles.

Find data analyst jobs on The Muse

2. Equity Trader

Average salary : $82,234

Equity traders buy and sell public or private company stocks and other equities—or advise investment team members who do so. They monitor market trends, develop trading strategies, and determine whether or not a company, bond, or fund might be a worthwhile investment. They also try to control risk, reduce transaction costs, and increase profits. Like data analysts, they’re dealing with a high volume of data.

Math majors can leverage their strong analytical and critical thinking skills in this role. It’s important to enjoy research, understand financial markets, and be able to conduct financial analyses with strong attention to detail. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL lends itself well to the data analysis conducted in this work. And equity traders often collaborate closely with others, such as financial advisors or portfolio managers, which requires clear communication in a fast-paced environment. In some job descriptions, you may see passing certain exams, such as the  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 Exam , listed as a qualification. Luckily, some employers offer to sponsor qualified entry-level candidates to take these exams, so be on the lookout for that in job postings.

If you’re intrigued by this role, stock broker, quantitative analyst, investment banker, or other  jobs in finance may also be of interest!

Find equity trader jobs on The Muse

3. Accountant

Average salary : $51,893

Accountants keep track of finances. Common tasks may include reviewing contracts or invoices, reconciling accounts, processing payments or payroll, conducting financial reviews, developing reports, and preparing tax filings and other required documents. They may also provide analysis and strategy recommendations to improve financial processes. Accountants have many work environments to choose from. They can work in-house for companies of all kinds, at a firm that does accounting for other businesses, or even have their own practices serving individuals or small businesses.

Accountants need to be extremely detail-oriented. If you love working with numbers, maintaining accurate records, or hunting for the root cause of something that doesn’t look quite right, this could be an excellent role. For entry-level jobs, adding relevant accounting or financial classes to your coursework can help you break into this field. Obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license—or starting on the path—will also help. The CPA exam is issued by the  American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) , but each state has its own requirements to sit for the exam and receive licensure so be sure to check your state’s regulations. Some employers will pay and support you as you pursue your CPA, so getting a job at one of these companies can be a good first move.

Find accountant jobs on The Muse

4. Mathematics Teacher

Average salary : $51,026

Mathematics teachers educate others on a variety of math subjects like algebra, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, and geometry. They create engaging lesson plans and curricula, build relationships with students, develop teaching approaches for different learning styles, conduct assessments, and provide feedback and grades on assignments.

Teaching can be rewarding for math majors because you get to share your fundamental knowledge and excitement about math. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with students and share your analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills with them. Strong communication is also essential as you explain concepts, adapt to different grade levels and individual student learning styles, and interact with parents.

With a bachelor’s degree in math, you’re most likely to teach classes from middle through high school levels at public, private, charter, or specialty schools. Requirements for teaching differ by state, and you may need to obtain a state-issued certification or license. Your college may also offer the opportunity to gain the necessary credentials through a pre-professional program or as a major or minor that you add to your math degree. If you aspire to teach at a college level, you’ll need to invest additional time in earning an advanced degree. With a master’s degree and teaching experience, you can qualify for some teaching jobs at certain types of schools, like community colleges. A PhD will open up opportunities to teach at all types of educational institutions at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Find math teacher jobs on The Muse

5. Financial Analyst

Average salary : $61,883

Financial analysts evaluate historical and current financial expenditures as well as forecast and project the future financial performance of a company. They develop recommendations to improve strategies and financial outcomes and help shape short- or long-term budgeting or investments. A financial analyst might, for example, gather data sets that allow them to look for trends, review and create company financial reports, and/or conduct industry or stock market research. They may also draft reports that compare their company with others in the industry and develop budget models and projections.

This is a role that’ll allow you the room to do research, keep up to date on business news, and apply the analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills you gained in your coursework to conduct financial modeling and influence business decisions to accelerate company growth. You’d also employ communication skills when presenting this information clearly—and often visually—to colleagues and executives.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse

Average salary: $96,823

Actuaries conduct analyses to determine costs and evaluate the risk and uncertainty inherent in different scenarios. Many actuaries work for insurance companies—whether they focus on life, health, home, or auto insurance. For example, what’s the likelihood that a natural disaster might damage or destroy a home and what appropriate rate should be set for coverage? Actuaries help answer these questions using probability and other prediction methods. Their goal is to decrease risk, increase the financial stability of the company they work for, and—hopefully—lower overall insurance rates for customers.

In this role, you can expect to work with large amounts of data to identify and predict trends, which means data analysis and modeling are essential tools of the trade. If you love being immersed in data and conducting statistical analysis, this could be an excellent fit.

Actuaries need additional certifications beyond their degrees—and many decide the extra work is worth the high salary you can net! Depending on the industry you’re going into, you’ll need to take a series of exams through the  Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA) . Actuaries can start their careers as trainees and land a role after passing a few of the exams. As with other positions, many employers will support new actuaries as they work toward certification.

Find actuary jobs on The Muse

7. Management Consultant

Average salary : $88,343

Management consultants typically work at large consulting firms that other companies hire to provide advice and offer solutions to critical business problems. They often work in teams and are assigned client projects where they identify, evaluate, and recommend solutions to improve the organization’s performance. They gather information, conduct interviews, perform research and analysis, develop reports, and present insights and recommendations clearly and concisely to clients.

For math majors who love diverse problem-solving, management consulting is attractive because you’ll work on a variety of problems with different organizations and even within different industries. One client project might have you evaluating ideal locations for new fast-casual restaurant franchises, while another client project might focus on which budget cuts could prevent a law firm from filing for bankruptcy. Each project will provide complex challenges where critical thinking skills are crucial. And you’ll use your qualitative and analytical skills whenever you’re digging into a company, department, or team's financials or other data. Communication is also a key skill as you’ll need to collaborate with stakeholders and team members and present your recommendations to company leadership. Management consulting firms look to hire analytically minded individuals who demonstrate leadership and the ability to drive impact. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, meeting new people, solving problems, and traveling a lot, this is a role to consider!

Find management consultant jobs on The Muse

8. Loan Underwriter

Average salary : $66,928

A loan underwriter reviews documentation for loans, such as home mortgages, and makes recommendations or decisions on whether to approve or deny the applications. They ensure documentation meets lending guidelines, review and verify the application and financial data, conduct risk assessment, and decide if there is a high probability the client will pay back the company or financial institution they work for. If an underwriter gives their approval, they also determine the amount to loan, identify what—if any—conditions need to be applied, and ensure that laws and regulations are followed.

Many skills you obtain from a math degree come in handy for this role including analytical skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Although additional certifications may not be required for underwriters, some job listings will indicate that particular credentials, such as a  Mortgage Loan Origination (MLO) license , are preferred.

Find loan underwriter jobs on The Muse

9. Software Engineer

Average salary : $87,349

A  software engineer writes code using computer languages to create new programs, applications, tools, and websites, or to update existing software. Daily tasks involve reviewing, writing, and debugging code as well as collaborating with others, such as designers, data scientists, and product managers.

As a math major, your college coursework, research, or internships will likely expose you to software engineering skills that are in demand. Math majors often pick up MATLAB, Python, and R to implement algorithms, statistical and data analysis, and more. These transferable skills can help position you to move into  software engineering roles even without a computer science or engineering degree. If you’ve dabbled a bit in these skills, but know you need a tad more experience to make the full transition, then  bootcamps can increase your skills to help you  land an entry-level software engineering job .

Find  software engineer and  software developer jobs on The Muse

10. Market Research Analyst

Average Salary : $54,735

Market research analysts dive deep into data and extract insights to help companies better position their products or services for their current and target consumers. They may collect data through surveys to identify trends and patterns that help with a marketing department’s decision-making. Their goal may be identifying what product, service, or new features the market wants, who would buy it, and what price they’d be willing to pay. They may do exploratory research to consider repositioning their brand when dealing with an oversaturated market or to learn something that might increase customer interest. For example, could adding a purple M&M increase sales?

Although you might not hear “market research analyst” and immediately think of it as a “math” job, this is a role where you’ll leverage what you’ve learned in class to create forecast models, manage complex datasets, and conduct statistical analysis. Through market research, you’ll use quantitative and critical thinking skills to assess opportunity and present information and solutions clearly.

Find market research analyst jobs on The Muse

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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Phd or master's in math that is the question..

The great thing about math is that it applies to everything — from the health industry to the banking industry, from education to engineering, from logistics to neuroscience. Your math graduate degree will give you the analytical and problem-solving skills needed for any job after graduation, whether that’s working in academia or in the private or public sectors.

To figure out whether you should choose to pursue your math master’s or your PhD in mathematics, it’s a good idea to look at them side by side and see which program fits your personal goals.

Math Master’s Degree

Students who graduate with their master’s in math are equipped for a range of careers. Earning your master’s typically takes about two years, so you can return to the workforce sooner with a higher level of expertise than your peers.

With your math master’s, you can become a better high school teacher and opportunities to teach at the community college level can open to you. At either level, you’d be helping young students realize the excitement and complexity of your field. This is a great option if you’ve already earned an undergraduate education degree or teaching certification.

Another career option is conducting research for various industries and government agencies. You can work in robotics, health care, the financial sector, aviation, technology and more — the possibilities are vast. Mathematicians creatively and meticulously study and solve problems, and pretty much any industry can utilize that expertise.

And if you’re looking to learn even more, earning your master’s is a great prep for doctoral studies in math or if you’re not sure about your post-grad career options. Most of our math master’s students at UL Lafayette choose to pursue their master’s and PhD simultaneously or attend another university for their PhD in math.

PhD in Mathematics Degree

Typically, students who pursue a PhD in math choose a career in academia. A PhD is needed to teach at the university level, because you’re sharing your intense expertise with students, helping them do research and delve deeper into the field you love so much.

If you teach at a research university, you’ll teach high-level classes and you’ll have the opportunity to continue complex and speculative research. As a PhD student, you’ll begin to discover and invent new math, and you can continue doing just that as a professor, forging a path for yourself and your research.

Earning your PhD in math widens your academic career opportunities, and you get to spend your career as a student and then as a professor learning more about your passions.

There are also plenty of opportunities to work for private companies or governmental organizations. Many of our PhD in mathematics alumni work in medicine, engineering, and software development, applying the knowledge they gained in their PhD program to help solve complex, real-world problems.

Some of our recent UL Lafayette math PhD alumni include:

• Peter Xiao, who holds 8 U.S. patents and is engineering director at CISCO;
• Jie Yang, associate actuary at Humana, Inc.;
• Sowmya Muniswamy, assistant professor at the Rashtriya Vidyalaya College of Engineering in Bangalore, India;
• Dan Zhang, statistician at L2C, Inc.;
• Jie Peng, assistant professor in the Department of Economics at St. Ambrose University;
• Haochun Zhang, quantitative analyst at Pittsburgh National Corporation; and
• Shuhua Hu, senior research scientist at the Center for Research in Scientific Computation at North Carolina State University.

Learn more about our graduate programs in math >>

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Home / Graduate / Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. Degree Program Overview

The objectives of the Mathematics Ph.D. program are to prepare students for a career in academia, industry, or teaching. At the end of their studies, students will possess the ability to solve problems and communicate solutions in rigorous mathematical language, to communicate mathematical concepts effectively, and to conduct independent research. Ph.D. students are expected to obtain their Ph.D. degree within six years. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program may receive a master's degree en route to the Ph.D.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Students are required to complete all of the following:

• Obtain a first-level pass on at least one of the three written preliminary examinations , and a second-level pass on at least one other. Students must complete the full sequence in the track associated with the preliminary examination they did not achieve a first-level pass*;
• Satisfy the foreign language requirement;
• Pass the oral qualifying examination ;
• Complete three quarters as a Teaching Assistant ;
• Complete the required coursework : Math 288A** plus six graduate courses in mathematics other than Math 200, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 208, 209 and 210. No more than three courses may be independent study or thesis research courses.
• Write a Ph.D. thesis  (dissertation).

Degree Timetable

Graduate Advising

Entering graduate students are advised initially by the Graduate Vice Chair, and then assigned a faculty mentor who will be an ongoing advising resource for the student. Within the first two years, and typically after passing the preliminary examinations, the student selects a faculty advisor in the area of the student's research interest. This is done in consultation with the Graduate Vice Chair.

Each graduate student is expected to consult with his or her advisor to formulate a plan of student and research. The student's advisor ultimately will be the student's thesis advisor.

Annual meetings with the Graduate Vice Chair and the Graduate Advisor and Program Coordinator are conducted with each student on a one-on-one basis. These meetings serve to notify the student of their current progress within the program and outline expectations for the continuation of normative progress toward the Ph.D. degree.

Graduate students are encouraged to review the  Graduate Student Mentoring Packet for resources on how to get the most out of the graduate student-mentor relationship.

• Preliminary Exams

Ph.D. students should complete the preliminary exams and introductory sequence requirements by the end of the second year in order to make satisfactory progress.  If a graduate student does not fulfill the above requirement by the end of the second year, depending on the student's progress, they can be placed on academic probation.  If a graduate student has not fulfilled the above requirements by the end of the third year, they are subject to dismissal from the program.

Advancing to Candidacy

To make satisfactory progress, a Ph.D. student should advance to candidacy by the end of their fourth year. A Ph.D. student who has not advanced to candidacy by the end of the fourth year will be placed on academic probation or be subject to dismissal from the program.

• Dissertation

Each graduate student in the Ph.D. program is required to write a Ph.D. dissertation or thesis on a research topic in mathematics. Ph.D. students are expected to obtain their Ph.D. degree in four to six years.

Applying for Graduation

Ph.D. students must complete the Application for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree form by the appropriate quarter’s deadline listed in the current Academic calendar . The form can be found on the Graduate Division website or can be provided by the Mathematics Department. The form should be turned in to the Graduate Advisor and Program Coordinator for review and submission to the Graduate Division.

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• Doing a PhD in Mathematics
• Doing a PhD

What Does a PhD in Maths Involve?

Maths is a vast subject, both in breadth and in depth. As such, there’s a significant number of different areas you can research as a math student. These areas usually fall into one of three categories: pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics. Some examples of topics you can research are:

• Number theory
• Numerical analysis
• String theory
• Random matrix theory
• Graph theory
• Quantum mechanics
• Statistical forecasting
• Matroid theory
• Control theory

Besides this, because maths focuses on addressing interdisciplinary real-world problems, you may work and collaborate with other STEM researchers. For example, your research topic may relate to:

• Biomechanics and transport processes
• Evidence-based medicine
• Fluid dynamics
• Financial mathematics
• Machine learning
• Theoretical and Computational Optimisation

What you do day-to-day will largely depend on your specific research topic. However, you’ll likely:

• Continually read literature – This will be to help develop your knowledge and identify current gaps in the overall body of knowledge surrounding your research topic.
• Undertake research specific to your topic – This can include defining ideas, proving theorems and identifying relationships between models.
• Collect and analyse data – This could comprise developing computational models, running simulations and interpreting forecasts etc.
• Liaise with others – This could take many forms. For example, you may work shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals from different disciplines supporting your research, e.g. Computer scientists for machine learning-based projects. Alternatively, you may need frequent input from those who supplied the data for your research, e.g. Financial institutions or biological research colleagues.
• Attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and events.

Browse PhD Opportunities in Mathematics

Application of artificial intelligence to multiphysics problems in materials design, study of the human-vehicle interactions by a high-end dynamic driving simulator, physical layer algorithm design in 6g non-terrestrial communications, machine learning for autonomous robot exploration, detecting subtle but clinically significant cognitive change in an ageing population, how long does it take to get a phd in maths.

The average programme duration for a mathematics PhD in the UK is 3 to 4 years for a full-time studying. Although not all universities offer part-time maths PhD programmes, those that do have a typical programme duration of 5 to 7 years.

Again, although the exact arrangement will depend on the university, most maths doctorates will require you to first register for an MPhil . At the end of your first year, your supervisor will assess your progress to decide whether you should be registered for a PhD.

Additional Learning Modules

Some Mathematics departments will require you to enrol on to taught modules as part of your programme. These are to help improve your knowledge and understanding of broader subjects within your field, for example, Fourier Analysis, Differential Geometry and Riemann Surfaces. Even if taught modules aren’t compulsory in several universities, your supervisor will still encourage you to attend them for your development.

Most UK universities will also have access to specialised mathematical training courses. The most common of these include Pure Mathematics courses hosted by Mathematics Access Grid Conferencing ( MAGIC ) and London Taught Course Centre ( LTCC ) and Statistics courses hosted by Academy for PhD Training in Statistics ( APTS ).

What Are the Typical Entry Requirements for A PhD in Maths?

In the UK, the typical entry requirements for a Maths PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Mathematics or Statistics [1] .

However, there is some variation on this. From writing, the lowest entry requirement is an upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree in any math-related subject. The highest entry requirement is a first-class (1st) honours Master’s degree in a Mathematics or Statistics degree only.

It’s worth noting if you’re applying to a position which comes with funding provided directly by the Department, the entry requirements will usually be on the higher side because of their competitiveness.

In terms of English Language requirements, most mathematics departments require at least an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each individual subtest.

Tips to Consider when Making Your Application

When applying to any mathematics PhD, you’ll be expected to have a good understanding of both your subject field and the specific research topic you are applying to. To help show this, it’s advisable that you demonstrate recent engagement in your research topic. This could be by describing the significance of a research paper you recently read and outlining which parts interested you the most, and why. Additionally, you can discuss a recent mathematics event you attended and suggest ways in how what you learnt might apply to your research topic.

As with most STEM PhDs, most maths PhD professors prefer you to discuss your application with them directly before putting in a formal application. The benefits of this is two folds. First, you’ll get more information on what their department has to offer. Second, the supervisor can better discover your interest in the project and gauge whether you’d be a suitable candidate. Therefore, we encourage you to contact potential supervisors for positions you’re interested in before making any formal applications.

How Much Does a Maths PhD Typically Cost?

The typical tuition fee for a PhD in Maths in the UK is £4,407 per year for UK/EU students and £20,230 per year for international students. This, alongside the range in tuition fees you can expect, is summarised below:

Note: The above tuition fees are based on 12 UK Universities [1]  for 2020/21 Mathematic PhD positions. The typical fee has been taken as the median value.

In addition to the above, it’s not unheard of for research students to be charged a bench fee. In case you’re unfamiliar with a bench fee, it’s an annual fee additional to your tuition, which covers the cost of specialist equipment or resources associated with your research. This can include the upkeep of supercomputers you may use, training in specialist analysis software, or travelling to conferences. The exact fee will depend on your specific research topic; however, it should be minimal for most mathematic projects.

What Specific Funding Opportunities Are There for A PhD in Mathematics?

Alongside the usual funding opportunities available to all PhD Research students such as doctoral loans, departmental scholarships, there are a few other sources of funding available to math PhD students. Examples of these include:

You can find more information on these funding sources here: DiscoverPhDs funding guide .

What Specific Skills Do You Gain from Doing a PhD in Mathematics?

A doctorate in Mathematics not only demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning, but it also provides you with highly marketable skills. Besides subject-specific skills, you’ll also gain many transferable skills which will prove useful in almost all industries. A sample of these skills is listed below.

• Logical ability to consider and analyse complex issues,
• Commitment and persistence towards reaching research goals,
• Outstanding verbal and written skills,
• Strong attention to detail,
• The ability to liaise with others from unique disciple backgrounds and work as part of a team
• Holistic deduction and reasoning skills,
• Forming and explaining mathematical and logical solutions to a wide range of real-world problems,
• Exceptional numeracy skills.

What Jobs Can You Get with A Maths PhD?

One of the greatest benefits maths PostDocs will have is the ability to pursue a wide range of career paths. This is because all sciences are built on core principles which, to varying extents, are supported by the core principles of mathematics. As a result, it’s not uncommon to ask students what path they intend to follow after completing their degree and receive entirely different answers. Although not extensive by any means, the most common career paths Math PostDocs take are listed below:

• Academia – Many individuals teach undergraduate students at the university they studied at or ones they gained ties to during their research. This path is usually the preferred among students who want to continue focusing on mathematical theories and concepts as part of their career.
• Postdoctoral Researcher – Others continue researching with their University or with an independent organisation. This can be a popular path because of the opportunities it provides in collaborative working, supervising others, undertaking research and attending conferences etc.
• Finance – Because of their deepened analytical skills, it’s no surprise that many PostDocs choose a career in finance. This involves working for some of the most significant players in the financial district in prime locations including London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. Specific job titles can include Actuarial, Investment Analyst or Risk Modeller.
• Computer Programming – Some students whose research involves computational mathematics launch their career as a computer programmer. Due to their background, they’ll typically work on specialised projects which require high levels of understanding on the problem at hand. For example, they may work with physicists and biomedical engineers to develop a software package that supports their more complex research.
• Data Analyst – Those who enjoy number crunching and developing complex models often go into data analytics. This can involve various niches such as forecasting or optimisation, across various fields such as marketing and weather.

What Are Some of The Typical Employers Who Hire Maths PostDocs?

As mentioned above, there’s a high demand for skilled mathematicians and statisticians across a broad range of sectors. Some typical employers are:

• Education – All UK and international universities
• Governments – STFC and Department for Transport
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – NHS, GSK, Pfizer
• Finance & Banking – e.g. Barclays Capital, PwC and J. P. Morgan
• Computing – IBM, Microsoft and Facebook
• Engineering – Boeing, Shell and Dyson

The above is only a small selection of employers. In reality, mathematic PostDocs can work in almost any industry, assuming the role is numerical-based or data-driven.

How Much Can You Earn with A PhD in Maths?

As a mathematics PhD PostDoc, your earning potential will mostly depend on your chosen career path. Due to the wide range of options, it’s impossible to provide an arbitrary value for the typical salary you can expect.

However, if you pursue one of the below paths or enter their respective industry, you can roughly expect to earn [3] :

Academic Lecturer

• Approximately £30,000 – £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with 10 years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role. Certain academic positions can earn over £80,000 depending on the management duties.

Actuary or Finance

• Approximately £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £70,000 and over with 10 years experience
• Approximately £180,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

• Approximately £28,000 starting salary
• Approximately £35,000 – £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with 10 years experience

Data Analyst

• Approximately £45,000 – £50,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £90,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Again, we stress that the above are indicative values only. Actual salaries will depend on the specific organisation and position and responsibilities of the individual.

Facts and Statistics About Maths PhD Holders

The below chart provides useful insight into the destination of Math PostDocs after completing their PhD. The most popular career paths from other of highest to lowest is education, information and communication, finance and scientific research, manufacturing and government.

Note: The above chart is based on ‘UK Higher Education Leavers’ data [2] between 2012/13 and 2016/17 and contains a data size of 200 PostDocs. The data was obtained from the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA ).

Which Noteworthy People Hold a PhD in Maths?

Alan turing.

Alan Turing was a British Mathematician, WW2 code-breaker and arguably the father of computer science. Alongside his lengthy list of achievements, Turning achieved a PhD in Mathematics at Princeton University, New Jersey. His thesis titled ‘Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals’ focused on the concepts of ordinal logic and relative computing; you can read it online here . To this day, Turning pioneering works continues to play a fundamental role in shaping the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Ruth Lawrence

Ruth Lawrence is a famous British–Israeli Mathematician well known within the academic community. Lawrence earned her PhD in Mathematics from Oxford University at the young age of 17! Her work focused on algebraic topology and knot theory; you can read her interesting collection of research papers here . Among her many contributions to Maths, her most notable include the representation of the braid groups, more formally known as Lawrence–Krammer representations.

Emmy Noether

Emmy Noether was a German mathematician who received her PhD from the University of Erlangen, Germany. Her research has significantly contributed to both abstract algebra and theoretical physics. Additionally, she proved a groundbreaking theorem important to Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In doing so, her theorem, Noether’s theorem , is regarded as one of the most influential developments in physics.

Other Useful Resources

Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) – IMA is the UK’s professional body for mathematicians. It contains a wide range of useful information, from the benefits of further education in Maths to details on grants and upcoming events.

Maths Careers – Math Careers is a site associated with IMA that provides a wide range of advice to mathematicians of all ages. It has a section dedicated to undergraduates and graduates and contains a handful of information about progressing into research.

Resources for Graduate Students – Produced by Dr Mak Tomford, this webpage contains an extensive collection of detailed advice for Mathematic PhD students. Although the site uses US terminology in places, don’t let that put you off as this resource will prove incredibly helpful in both applying to and undertaking your PhD.

Student Interviews – Still wondering whether a PhD is for you? If so, our collection of PhD interviews would be a great place to get an insider perspective. We’ve interviewed a wide range of PhD students across the UK to find out what doing a PhD is like, how it’s helped them and what advice they have for other prospective students who may be thinking of applying to one. You can read our insightful collection of interviews here .

[1] Universities used to determine the typical (median) and range of entry requirements and tuition fees for 2020/21 Mathematics PhD positions.

• http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Degree-programmes-2020/MPhilPhD-Mathematics
• https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-mathematics?wssl=1
• https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/mapmpdpms
• https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/mathematics-mphil-phd
• http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2020/sci/phd-mathematics/
• https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/mathematics-phd
• https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/studying-here/pgr/phd-application
• https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-courses/mathematics-phd/
• https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/degrees/mathematics-phd
• https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/05325/phd-pure-mathematics/
• https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/courses-2020/mathematicsphd/
• https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/degrees/mathematics/

[2] Higher Education Leavers Statistics: UK, 2016/17 – Outcomes by subject studied – https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/28-06-2018/sfr250-higher-education-leaver-statistics-subjects

[3] Typical salaries have been extracted from a combination of the below resources. It should be noted that although every effort has been made to keep the reported salaries as relevant to Math PostDocs as possible (i.e. filtering for positions which specify a PhD qualification as one of their requirements/preferences), small inaccuracies may exist due to data availability.

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Best Online Doctorates in Mathematics: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salary

An online PhD in Mathematics can land you a job as a math education specialist, data scientist, or information technology professional. If you prefer theoretical, dissertation, and course-based doctoral programs, then our list of the best online PhD in Mathematics is for you.

This list of PhD in Mathematics degree programs includes information technology, education, statistics, and data science postgraduate degrees with advanced mathematics components. Keep reading to find out what schools offer these programs, the course curriculum, acceptance rates, highest-paying mathematics jobs for PhD grads, and tuition rates.

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Can you get a phd in mathematics online.

Yes, you can get a PhD in Mathematics online. However, finding online doctoral programs primarily focused on statistics, mathematics, or applied mathematics is rare. An online PhD route is apt for students looking to pursue information technology, education, or analytics-based mathematics fields.

Earning an online PhD in Information Technology allows you to advance your education in topics covering discrete mathematics, algorithms, and quantitative methods. An online PhD in Mathematics focuses on core graduate courses with a theoretical research and dissertation process. Some academic programs have a residency component required either on-site or online.

Is an Online PhD Respected?

Yes, an online PhD is respected. Online PhD programs are often considered untraditional, course-based doctoral programs, but they are currently seeing rising popularity and are on par with the curriculum of a campus-based program. Your opportunities for career advancement coincide with an on-campus PhD.

However, an online PhD in Mathematics offers limited research, topics, and dissertation scopes and can limit your career possibilities. Breaking into a mathematics academia or research profession with an online PhD can be difficult.

If you want to pursue a traditional mathematics PhD where subjects include metric space, differential geometry, algebra, and calculus, then an on-campus program is for you.

What Is the Best Online PhD Program in Mathematics?

The best online PhD program in mathematics is a PhD in Mathematics Education. This program focuses on the mathematics curriculum and educational management to help you enter the academic field. You will learn mathematical thinking , qualitative and quantitative research, geometry, and mathematical modeling.

The online math PhD programs discussed in this article cover mathematical subject areas and are more apt for those looking to enter the business, data, or tech fields. You can apply to Stanford University, Columbia University, or Harvard University to find the best in-person mathematics PhDs.

Why the University of Wyoming Has the Best Online PhD Program in Mathematics

University of Wyoming has the best mathematics PhD program because it offers an affordable and reputable online mathematics education doctorate program. This program provides in-depth coverage of mathematics and qualifies you for research or post-secondary positions in the field.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

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Online PhD in Mathematics Admission Requirements

The admission requirements of an online PhD in Mathematics include educational qualifications, GPA, and professional experience components. Universities require doctoral students to earn a 3.0 or higher GPA and have a master’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

PhD programs from the accredited institutions in this article also require two to three letters of recommendation, a resume, and graduate courses covering math education.

Depending on the school, you might also need to submit GRE and GMAT scores and proof of three to five years of relevant professional experience. Some schools also require candidates to complete a doctoral interview that discusses their interests in the program.

• 3.0 or higher GPA and a relevant undergraduate degree or master’s degree
• Official transcripts from all attended universities
• GRE and GMAT scores
• Resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation
• Financial assistance application
• Doctoral interview with program faculty
• Prerequisites for graduate courses providing a math education
• Proof of three to five years of professional experience in math, statistics, or a relevant field

Best Online PhDs in Mathematics: Top Degree Program Details

Best Online PhDs in Mathematics: Top University Programs to Get a PhD in Mathematics Online

The top university programs to get a PhD in Mathematics are offered at prestigious institutions like Texas A&M, Northcentral University, and the University of Wyoming. Below is a list of the best online PhDs in Mathematics, along with their program descriptions, tuition costs, and admission requirements.

This list of online PhDs in Mathematics covers a wide range of subject areas, including information technology, data science, education, and business analytics, all of which encompass mathematics topics to help you further your career in math and tech-based professions.

Capella University is a private online university founded in 1993. Its online academic degrees are catered toward adult learners and busy professionals looking to get a higher education. It offers programs covering business, information technology, psychology, education, nursing, and health science fields. 

PhD in Information Technology

If you’re interested in furthering your education in information technology with an integrated capstone project and in-field curriculum, then this degree is for you. The program includes 70 online courses covering tech research and quantitative analysis topics and allows the transfer of 12 credits. 

This program has courses on assurance controls, tech consulting, quantitative design, and complex adaptive systems. This doctoral degree program can help you enter mathematical and tech research fields. You must also complete two virtual residencies and one dissertation focusing on risk management, data science processes , or advanced computing systems. 

PhD in Information Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Program Length: Maximum 4 years 9 months
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $750/credit per quarter; $175 resource kit fee; $3,000/capstone per quarter

PhD in Information Technology Admission Requirements

• $50 application fee
• Transcripts from all attended universities
• Master’s degree from an accredited university
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Capitol Technology University was established in 1927 and is a private accredited institution offering both on-campus and online degrees. It is regionally recognized as a top STEM field university and offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Prospective students can apply for online programs in engineering management, cyber security, computer science, product management, or artificial intelligence.

PhD in Business Analytics and Data Science

This business analytics and data science doctorate degree is apt for statisticians wanting to venture into leadership positions in data or business. Although this is an online-based program, it still requires campus visits for its residency course, oral defense, and dissertation presentation. 

The curriculum includes applied statistics, quantitative methods, big data warehousing, applied research, and economic management. You can land lucrative statistician jobs at top companies or pursue a career in data research. 

PhD in Business Analytics and Data Science Overview

• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $933 plus fees/credit for 2022 to 2023 academic year

PhD in Business Analytics and Data Science Admission Requirements

• Essay, relevant experience, and skills covering business analytics and data science 
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume showcasing a minimum of five years of industry-relevant work experience
• Undergraduate or master’s degree
• Official college transcripts

City University of Seattle specializes in providing flexible degree programs apt for adult education. It was founded in 1973 and offers more than 65 degree and certification programs. Prospective students can enroll in its advanced online degrees covering business, project management, computer systems, or education administration. 

Several industry professionals in information technology or computer science have extensive math education. This PhD is an excellent choice for graduate students wanting to build a career in instructional technology, computer science research, or another STEM field. 

It offers cyber security, data science, artificial intelligence, or cloud computing concentrations. The data science specialization is best suited for students wanting to get theoretical and hands-on experience across math subjects. 

Some of its core courses in advanced math education cover discrete math, evidence-based practices, quantitative research, computing algorithms, and differential equation topics. The degree also requires research, a dissertation, and a residency in computer science and research. 

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• Accreditation : Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Program Length: 4 to 5 years
• Tuition and Fees: $765/credit
• Background in programming, database management, operating systems, or networking
• Resume showcasing more than two years of tech-based experience
• 400 to 600-word goal statement
• Three references and their contact information
• Admissions statement questions form
• Interview with the program faculty

Colorado Technical University offers online and on-campus programs in business, mechanical engineering, criminal justice, computer science, educational administration, and nursing education. It was founded in 1965 and currently has a robust online advanced degree program. It offers more than 80 programs to its online students. 

PhD in Computer Science with a Concentration in Big Data Analytics

According to PayScale reports, the average salary of a lead data scientist is $135,887 per year. This doctoral degree provides you with the leadership skills and hands-on experience needed to land lead data scientists’ or other senior tech positions. The degree requires you to fulfill its curriculum, residency, dissertation process, and required credit hours. 

Some of its core courses include advanced quantitative analysis, research methods, big data analysis, information systems, and business intelligence. 

PhD in Computer Science with a Concentration in Big Data Analytics Overview

• Tuition and Fees: $598/credit

PhD in Computer Science with a Concentration in Big Data Analytics Admission Requirements

• Contact an admissions officer
• Online application
• Background in research, theoretical, or other relevant fields
• Contact program faculty to find other requirements
• Doctoral interview

Grand Canyon University is an accredited school founded in 1949. It is home to over 23,500 on-campus students and provides education to more than 90,000 working adult students through its online schools as of 2021. 

Some of its popular online programs include graphic design, communication, business administration, information systems, education administration, health sciences, and data science topics. Its online options offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 

DBA in Data Analytics 

If your career goals involve business or data analytics, then this DBA will help you get your dream job in data analytics . It focuses on quantitative research and math education and includes data complexity, business administration, financial management, and research design courses. 

Its residency and dissertation process requires you to pursue research in statistical mechanics, quantitative analytics, and data science topics. You can also opt to attend its on-campus evening classes instead of its online option. 

DBA in Data Analytics Overview

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission 
• Program Length: 150 weeks 
• Acceptance Rate: 73%
• Tuition and Fees: $715/credit

DBA in Data Analytics Admission Requirements

• 3.4 or above GPA is preferred, with 3.0 as the minimum GPA
• MBA or business-related graduate degree
• Official transcripts of all universities attended

Iowa State University is recognized as one of the flagship public schools with a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,846 students for its fall 2020 cohort. According to US News & World Report, Iowa State University ranks 122 among the best national universities and 45 in the best undergraduate engineering programs.

PhD in Information Systems and Business Analytics 

This tech and business doctoral degree is apt for students looking for career advancement across organizational leadership, computer science academia, or business intelligence management fields. The degree map incorporates dissertation research, oral defense, and advanced degrees. 

You will learn financial management , information technology research, business analytics, and organizational leadership. Some of its math-based courses include applied statistics, logistics, differential equations, and economics. 

PhD in Information Systems and Business Analytics Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Tuition and Fees: $6,491/semester (in state); $14,490/semester (out of state) for fall 2021 and spring 2022

PhD in Information Systems and Business Analytics Admission Requirements

• Master’s degree preferred but not required
• Statement of purpose, CV, and college transcripts
• GMAT scores preferred, 600 minimum or equivalent GRE Scores
• Three letters of recommendation
• A writing sample relevant to the doctorate subject

Northcentral University is a private institution founded in 1996 and offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral-level online programs. Its doctoral programs are fully online and do not include any physical residency requirements. You can choose to enroll in business administration, health sciences, education law, elementary education, technology, or public administration online programs.  

PhD in Data Science

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for data scientists is 22 percent between 2020 to 2030 . The high job outlook makes a data science doctoral degree investment highly profitable. It’s a research-based program that includes 20 courses in subjects like data warehousing, information systems, and data science theories. 

PhD in Data Science Overview

• Program Length: 3 years 4 months
• Tuition and Fees: $68,560/program

PhD in Data Science Admission Requirements

• Academic evaluation with an enrollment advisor

Texas A&M University is a public school that was established in 1876. It has a large student population with a fall 2021 enrollment of 73,284 students. Its distance learning school offers 104 undergraduate degrees, certificates, and graduate programs. Distance learners can enroll in public administration, education law, public health, criminal justice, or engineering programs.

PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Mathematics Education 

If you want to become a professor or enter the elementary education sector, then this online doctoral degree in mathematics is for you. It helps you become an education specialist in mathematics. The degree plan requires you to complete a dissertation, curriculum development, research, and core credits. 

Its courses include statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, theories of education, categorical data analysis, and linear models. Some other career prospects include math education administration, data science, or statistical analytics fields. 

PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Mathematics Education Overview

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• Program Length: 4 years 
• Tuition and Fees: $4,254/semester (in state); $9,019/semester (out of state) fall 2022 or spring 2023 for 9 credit hours per semester

PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Mathematics Education Admission Requirements

• $89 application fee for online application
• Departmental essays 
• Three letters of reference

University of Central Florida is a public research institution founded in 1963. The school is best known for its engineering, computer science, public administration, and programs in education. According to US News & World Report, the University of Central Florida is among the top public schools and ranks 15 among the most innovative schools .

PhD in Education

This online PhD in Education offers course tracks across educational psychology, English, instructional design, empirical research, social science, and K-8 mathematics. If your career goals involve being in fields like education policy, education administration, or math education, then this degree is for you. 

It requires you to complete research electives, a dissertation, and 18 credit hours of core courses. It helps you master evidence-based decisions, teacher education administrative tasks, and curriculum development skills. 

PhD in Education Overview

• Tuition and Fees: $327/credit (in state); $1,151/credit (out of state)

PhD in Education Admission Requirements

• Speak with a graduate program success coach
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Transcripts from all universities attended
• Immunization forms
• Residency class form
• Contact program faculty for other requirements

University of Wyoming is among the reputable national universities and offers both on-campus and online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. According to US News & World Report, the University of Wyoming ranks 196 among the best national universities and number 99 in the top public schools. 

Its online students can choose from its accounting, education policy, public administration, education law, finance, or nurse practitioner certificate or degree programs.

PhD in Mathematics Education

This math education doctoral degree focuses on qualitative research, mathematical modeling, quantitative reasoning, differential equations, and associated geometry topics. It also requires you to complete dissertation research and a preliminary exam. 

You can use this degree to venture into mathematics professor, math doctorate degree advisor, or elementary education specialist professions. 

PhD in Mathematics Education Overview

• Tuition and Fees: $7,182/year (in state); $18,324/year (out of state) for 18 credits per academic year

PhD in Mathematics Education Admission Requirements

• GRE Scores: 144 quantitative, 151 verbal, 4.0 analytical writing
• Master’s degree
• Three years of P-12 teaching or other relevant professional experience
• Meet residency and academic status requirements
• Letter of intent, three letters of recommendation, an academic writing sample, and a resume

Online Mathematics PhD Graduation Rates: How Hard Is It to Complete an Online PhD Program in Mathematics?

It is extremely hard to complete an online PhD program in mathematics. This is due to the advanced core courses, extensive research, and dissertation process requirements. Several mathematics online PhDs tend to branch into difficult subjects covering information technology, data science, or business analytics .

This requires doctoral candidates to have an extensive background in technical and advanced mathematics subjects. The timeline and approval aspects of a PhD are also demanding, leading to high attrition rates.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Mathematics Online?

It takes about four years to get a PhD in Mathematics online. However, the exact time duration can range anywhere from three to six years, depending on the candidate and program requirements. Doctoral students with transfer credit hours can complete the degree in a shorter time frame.

Students who fail to meet their dissertation process requirements or get early approval for their research topics will finish their degrees in a longer time frame. Online PhDs are catered toward full-time professionals or adult learners by offering a flexible schedule. Those who take fewer credit hours and opt for a flexible schedule will increase their degree timeline.

How Hard Is an Online Doctorate in Mathematics?

An online Doctorate in Mathematics is extremely hard. It incorporates an array of advanced subject areas and dissertation topic possibilities. The best online mathematics PhDs are offered in information technology, data science, or business analytics fields. All of these subject areas require technical knowledge and extensive research commitment and self-discipline.

Best PhD Programs

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What Courses Are in an Online Mathematics PhD Program?

The courses in an online mathematics PhD program include mathematical modeling, statistics, quantitative reasoning, and discrete mathematics. Depending on your choice of a doctoral program, your core courses might also include curriculum development, data analytics, programming languages , or financial analysis.

Regardless of the primary PhD concentration, the mathematics components of the degree will help you master advanced applied math topics.

Main Areas of Study in a Mathematics PhD Program

• Data science
• Differential equations
• Mathematics curriculum development
• Business analytics
• Quantitative and qualitative research
• Discrete mathematics

How Much Does Getting an Online Mathematics PhD Cost?

It costs $19,314 per year to get a PhD in Mathematics, according to the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES). Your online PhD tuition rates will typically range in this area but will vary from one university program to another.

NCES further reports the graduate tuition of private institutions from 2018 to 2019 was $25,929 and for public institutions was $12,171. This disparity in tuition costs is also present in online PhDs in Mathematics.

How to Pay for an Online PhD Program in Mathematics

You can pay for an online PhD program in mathematics by applying for doctoral funding programs, scholarship opportunities, or education loan financing. You can also apply for an employee sponsorship program at your workplace.

The online aspect of the PhD limits student exposure to research opportunities and graduate assistantships. You can still get in touch with a university representative to find potential internal funding opportunities, though. Doctoral students can also apply for external funding available for math programs.

How to Get an Online PhD for Free

You cannot get an online PhD for free. However, PhDs and other advanced degrees may be eligible for fully-funded scholarships, depending on the student applying for them. You can apply for university or external scholarships to fully fund your PhD, but the chances of getting a full-tuition grant are low for online programs.

What Is the Most Affordable Online PhD in Mathematics Degree Program?

The most affordable online PhD in Mathematics degree program is offered by the University of Central Florida for $18,675. The school’s PhD in Education charges $327.32 per credit hour and consists of 51 to 57 credits for the program.

Most Affordable Online PhD Programs in Mathematics: In Brief

Why You Should Get an Online PhD in Mathematics

You should get an online PhD in Mathematics because it will help you land lucrative positions in post-secondary education, management, or research. A PhD is highly respected and showcases your expertise in advanced applied mathematics topics.

Top Reasons for Getting a PhD in Mathematics

• Multifaceted career outcome opportunities. An online PhD in Mathematics covers technical and non-technical subjects, including computer science, data analytics, education management, and applied mathematics. This opens up career possibilities across several in-demand industries.
• Specialized skills. Mathematics PhDs help you acquire specialized skills in quantitative research, statistical analytics, and discrete mathematics. These skills are highly demanded in the data, research, artificial intelligence, and business industries.
• Higher salaries. These doctoral programs also qualify you for senior roles. Senior-level roles offer higher salaries and an increased earning potential.
• High job security. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the job outlook for computer and information research scientists is 22 percent between 2020 to 2030. Several online mathematics PhDs will qualify you for jobs under these tech occupations and provide you with a high job security rate.

Best Master’s Degree Programs

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What Is the Difference Between an On-Campus Mathematics PhD and an Online PhD in Mathematics?

The difference between an on-campus mathematics PhD and an online PhD in Mathematics the core course topics and research potential. The career outcomes of these types of degrees also vary depending on your choice of program. Below are the key differences between an on-campus vs an online mathematics PhD program.

Online PhD vs On-Campus PhD: Key Differences

• Tuition affordability. An online PhD in Mathematics is typically less expensive compared to an on-campus PhD. However, although an on-campus degree is more costly, there are more funding opportunities.
• More math concentrations. There aren’t many mathematics concentrations in an online program compared to in-person degrees. Most online programs offer information technology, data science, or education focused on advanced math subjects.
• Research scopes. The research topic scopes in an on-campus program are more practical, unlike dissertation-based online PhDs.
• Socialization opportunities. An on-campus PhD offers ample socialization opportunities and easy access to the program faculty and financial aid offices. This is more difficult for online doctoral students.

How to Get a PhD in Mathematics Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

To get a PhD in Mathematics online, you need to fulfill the school’s admissions prerequisites and program requirements. Below are the five main steps required to complete an online PhD in Mathematics.

You must pay the application fee, upload official transcripts, and fill out the application questionnaire. You will also submit all proof of professional experience, letters of recommendation, resumes, and personal statements. 

The admissions requirements section is where you complete a doctoral interview with the program faculty. The requirements for this interview will vary from school to school. You will discuss degree outcomes, passions, and financial payment plans during the interview.

The third step is to contact your program advisor and discuss the degree timeline and requirements. You will discuss potential research and dissertation topics.

Next, you must complete all core courses. The courses will vary depending on your major, but it is crucial to complete them to graduate both successfully and on time.

The last step is to complete your research, residency, and dissertation process. This step requires prior approval from the program’s doctoral faculty. 

Online PhD in Mathematics Salary and Job Outlook

The salary and job outlook for online mathematics PhDs will vary by industry, profession, and degree concentration. The salary can range from $79,640 to $110,000 per year, and the job growth rate can go as high as 33 percent.

What Can You Do With an Online Doctorate in Mathematics?

With an online Doctorate in Mathematics, you can become a research analyst , mathematics professor, statistician, or data scientist. You can also enter higher education management, data analytics, quantitative research, or finance analytics professions. The career possibilities with an online Doctorate in Mathematics are countless and cover many industries.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Mathematics

• Mathematics Professor
• Statistician
• Operations Research Analyst
• Mathematician
• Data Scientist

Potential Careers With a Mathematics Degree

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What Is the Average Salary for an Online PhD Holder in Mathematics?

The average salary for PhD in Mathematics holders is $110,000 per yea r, according to PayScale. However, your salary range will vary depending on your choice of profession. Education sector professions often offer lower average salaries compared to information technology or data science sectors.

Highest-Paying Mathematics Jobs for PhD Grads

Best Mathematics Jobs for Online PhD Holders

The best mathematics jobs for online PhD holders opens up opportunities across the research, data, analytics, or information technology fields. Below are the highest-paying jobs you can apply for with your online PhD in Mathematics.

A data scientist is responsible for analyzing, visualizing, and sorting raw data into useful information. They can work in a wide range of industries and work to extract useful data for optimal business operations or scientific results. 

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $100,910
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 33,000
• Highest-Paying States: Oregon, Arizona, Texas

A statistician is a mathematics and data science professional who uses quantitative and qualitative research in surveys to find valuable information. They are responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing each quantitative survey. 

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $96,280
• Job Outlook: 33% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 44,800
• Highest-Paying States: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts 

A mathematician conducts research on theoretical mathematical principles to advance the mathematics, physics, engineering, data science, or economics fields. They work with mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and quantitative reasoning to study mathematics. 

• Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey

An operations research analyst is responsible for evaluating an organization’s operations and production plan and must suggest further productivity solutions. They use data analytics, mathematics, quantitative and qualitative research, and statistics for their jobs. 

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $82,360
• Job Outlook: 25% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 104,100
• Highest-Paying States: Virginia, Alabama, Maryland

A mathematics professor works at post-secondary educational institutions and develops the course curriculum, assignments, and exams to test students in their knowledge and comprehension. They teach introductory and advanced math classes to college students and can also lead research departments. 

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $79,640
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Rhode Island, Oregon

Is It Worth It to Do a PhD in Mathematics Online?

Yes, it is worth it to do a PhD in Mathematics online. Mathematics online PhDs cover subject areas that open up career opportunities in lucrative sectors of academics, business, data science, and tech.

PhD programs are worth it for doctorate students looking to earn a higher salary and achieve increased job security. Mathematics doctoral programs qualify you for many high-paying jobs, including university professor, research analyst, and mathematician.

Additional Reading About Mathematics

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Online PhD in Mathematics FAQ

Online mathematics PhDs cover courses in applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, statistics, quantitative research, and operations analytics topics. The core subject areas will vary depending on the focus subject of the online degree.

No, it is not easy to get an online mathematics PhD. A doctoral degree comprises research, dissertation, and advanced courses covering highly technical topics.

It will take around three to five years to complete an online mathematics PhD. Your degree timeline depends on your course schedule, dissertation process, and transfer credits.

A data science concentration is best for an online mathematics PhD. Data science is a rapidly growing field that encompasses tons of in-demand professions with high salaries. Moreover, with a data science focus, you will also get to work on a wide range of real-world problems instead of just theoretical scenarios.

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Top 5 Math Research Topics for a PhD Student

So, you’ve decided to pursue a PhD in Mathematics—congratulations! That’s a big step, and an exciting journey awaits you ahead. But now comes the tough question: What should you focus your research on? Choosing a research topic is crucial because it sets the stage for your entire PhD journey. With so many fascinating areas in mathematics, it can be hard to decide. However, don’t worry! We’re here to help you explore some of the best math research topics for PhD students. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Number Theory: The Heart of Pure Mathematics

Let’s start with Number Theory , a classic and timeless area in mathematics . It deals with the properties and relationships of numbers, especially integers. Number theory has fascinated mathematicians for centuries. Why? Because it poses some of the most challenging and fundamental questions in math.

Therefore, some exciting topics in number theory include prime numbers , modular forms , and Diophantine equations . Research in these areas can lead to breakthroughs that impact other fields, such as cryptography and computer science. If you love solving puzzles and exploring patterns in numbers, number theory might be the perfect area for you.

Algebraic Geometry: Where Shapes Meet Algebra

Next up is Algebraic Geometry . This field studies solutions to polynomial equations using geometric methods. It’s a beautiful blend of algebra and geometry, providing deep insights into both areas. In fact, algebraic geometry has applications in many fields, from physics to robotics.

Moreover, some research topics in algebraic geometry include varieties , schemes , and moduli spaces . These topics help us understand complex geometric structures through algebraic expressions. If you enjoy visualising complex shapes and solving equations, algebraic geometry offers a wealth of opportunities.

Topology: Understanding the Fabric of Space

Have you ever wondered how a coffee cup can transform into a doughnut without tearing or cutting? That’s where Topology comes in. Topology is the study of properties that remain unchanged under continuous deformations. It helps us understand the fundamental nature of shapes and spaces.

Consequently, research topics in topology include knot theory , manifolds , and homotopy theory . These topics explore how different shapes relate to each other and how they can transform. Additionally, topology has applications in physics, computer science, and biology. If you’re fascinated by shapes and enjoy abstract thinking, topology could be your ideal research area.

Mathematical Modeling: Applying Math to Real-World Problems

If you want to see the real-world impact of mathematics, Mathematical Modeling might be the right choice for you. Mathematical modelling involves creating mathematical representations of real-world systems. Thus, these models help us understand complex phenomena in fields like biology, economics, and engineering.

For example, some interesting research topics in mathematical modelling include disease modelling , climate modelling , and financial mathematics . These areas use differential equations, probability, and statistics to solve practical problems. Therefore, if you like applying math to solve real-world issues, mathematical modelling offers plenty of opportunities to make a difference.

Cryptography: The Math Behind Secure Communications

Lastly, let’s talk about Cryptography . Cryptography is the science of secure communication, protecting information from unauthorised access. It relies heavily on advanced mathematics, including number theory and algebra. With the rise of digital technology, cryptography has become more important than ever.

Some research topics in cryptography include elliptic curve cryptography , quantum cryptography , and cryptographic protocols . These topics focus on developing new methods for secure communication in the digital age. Furthermore, if you’re interested in math and cybersecurity, cryptography could be a fascinating research area.

Conclusion:

Choosing a research topic for your PhD in Mathematics is a big decision. However, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re interested in pure mathematics like number theory or applied fields like cryptography, there’s a topic out there that’s perfect for you. Take your time, explore different areas, and choose a topic that excites you. After all, your passion for your research will keep you motivated throughout your PhD journey. Good luck!

Do you want to know which Institute is best for Mathematics? Click here to know the answer.

• What should I consider when choosing a math research topic for my PhD? Consider your interests, the relevance of the topic, and the guidance available from your potential advisors.
• Can I switch my research topic during my PhD? Yes, but it depends on your program and how far you are into your research. Always consult with your advisor first.
• How important is it to choose a trending topic for my PhD? Choosing a trending topic can be beneficial, but it’s more important to select a topic that you find exciting and motivating.
• What are the most challenging areas in math research? Areas like number theory, algebraic geometry, and cryptography can be challenging due to their complexity and abstract nature.
• Can I collaborate with other departments for my math research? Absolutely! Interdisciplinary research is encouraged, especially in areas like mathematical modelling and cryptography.

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Math Education PhD

I (25F) have a masters degree (MS) in applied math and am currently awaiting a decision on the math Ed PhD program at my school. I am in the USA. My good friend mastered out of our math program last year and applied for this PhD program, however according to what she shared with me, there were issues during the interview from the interviewers.

The first question they asked her was “why a PhD in math education?”, to which she replied she wanted to become a math teaching professor. The interviewers (the faculty on the graduate committee) immediately started jumping on her and saying that they are there to put out researchers, not teachers. They then asked her if she had any teaching experience and she said she did not. They then spent the next 30 min naming a bunch of masters programs she should apply to instead, but my friend already has a masters in math and feels ready to take on a PhD. They also mentioned a few people in the community she should reach out to about their experiences, offered her the option to stop by their offices if she ever needed anything, and then wished her luck before signing off. They then rejected her from the program, despite her excellent grades and GRE scores.

She was in complete tears when I saw her afterward and basically said they never gave her a chance to explain herself or her background. I am very worried for my interview coming up bc even though I have prior teaching experience, it is not in k-12 but instead with teaching GED math & science to inmates in the prisons. I did talk to one of the professors in the committee and he was very enthusiastic about my experience in the prisons, saying it would definitely count. However, I’m worried the other two faculty may not agree.

Any advice here? 😬

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Department of Mathematics

Graduate program.

Application deadline is December 15th, 2024.

Test requirements:

GRE Subject Test:         GRE Subject Math Test scores are REQUIRED.

GRE General Test:      GRE General Test scores are OPTIONAL.  

TOEFL or IELTS:      Scores are REQUIRED for most applicants whose native language is not English.

See  Mathematics | Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  for more information about test requirements (including who needs to take IELTS and TOEFL), link to the application page, and more. 

Fee waiver:  if you wish to apply to waive the application fee (105$) please see here:  Application Fees & Fee Waivers | Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . We recommend to apply as early as possible and, at least, several days before the deadline of December 15, 2024. Please note that the department has no control over the waivers. 

Program in Applied Mathematics . Note that there is a separate program in Applied Mathematics. You cannot apply for both programs. Follow  Welcome | Applied Mathematics Program (yale.edu)  for the general information about that program  and  https://applied.math.yale.edu/graduate-program-0  for the information about admissions, requirements, etc.

Welcome to the Yale graduate program in Mathematics.

The transition from mathematics student to working mathematician depends on ability, hard work and independence, but also on community. Yale’s graduate program provides an excellent environment for this, and we are proud of the talented students who come here and the leading faculty with whom they learn the profession.

In their first two years, students focus on building their general knowledge and passing the qualifying exams , but are also encouraged to use the time to think about their areas of interest, work together to explore them, and begin making connections with faculty advisors. There are few formal requirements and this flexibility allows students to develop independence, formulating and following their own goals.

Mathematics, while requiring intense individual focus, also thrives on collaborative work. Students form study groups and seminars together, and also benefit from our excellent cohort of Gibbs Assistant Professors and other Postdoctoral Fellows, who are a source of fresh mathematical perspectives and camaraderie.

Research, and the contribution of new ideas and results to the body of mathematical knowledge, naturally form the main focus of the next few years, and typically students complete their PhD by the end of the 5th (sometimes 6th) year. During this time they also get to know the faculty better, and continue building intellectual and personal connections, horizontally across the discipline and through time to our shared intellectual history and tradition.

Teaching is an important component of our profession, and the department provides support and training to graduate students. Teaching assignments proceed from individual coaching to classroom teaching, with careful mentoring provided by our dedicated team of lecturers.  The Lang Lunch Seminar, in the second year, provides in-depth training to graduate students before they begin to lecture.

Director of Graduate Studies : Van Vu .

Inquiries concerning the graduate program in mathematics should be sent to Van Vu .

Registrar of Graduate Studies: TBA 

Some useful links:

• The mathematics department page in the Graduate School catalog.
• Graduate school homepage for general information.
• Admissions information from the graduate school.
• Mathematics Graduate Program Advising Guidelines