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For high school math lovers, using online calculators and having to do math homework isn’t tedious or discouraging as it is for most others. In fact, math lovers might just be thinking that they might want to study it during college. If that sounds like you, read on. U.S. News and World Report’s annual education report lists these ten public universities as having the best graduate mathematics programs as of the 2018-2019 academic year.
1. University of California-Berkeley
The highest-ranking public university on the U.S. News and Report (USNWR) list ranked second overall, tied with private universities Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Undergraduates can study mathematics, applied mathematics, or mathematics with a concentration in teaching, while graduates can earn an M.A. or a Ph.D., Interdisciplinary programs offer a concentration in computational biology, among other options.
2. University of California-Los Angeles
Tied for #7 with Columbia University, UCLA offers undergraduate programs in applied math, financial, actuarial math, math/applied science, math of computation, math for teaching, and a combined math/economics Bachelor of Science program. The graduate program offers seven distinct concentrations.
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ranked 12th in the nation overall, the University of Michigan’s math program offers majors in actuarial, honors, and finance/risk management math as well as mathematical sciences, pure mathematics, and a teaching certificate in secondary math. Graduates can earn one of four math master’s degrees, and Ph.D. candidates can concentrate in mathematics or applied and interdisciplinary mathematics.
4. The University of Texas at Austin
At this university, ranked 14th overall, undergraduates can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, actuarial science, or mathematics teaching. It offers two graduate degree programs, Master of Arts in Mathematics with an actuarial focus, and Ph.D. in Mathematics.
5. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Here undergraduates can major in math, combine a math degree with an applied area such as actuarial science, engineering, or finance, or pursue the AMEP (applied math, engineering, and physics) program. The Ph.D. program offers specializations in five areas, including logic, number theory, and computational mathematics. USNWR ranks the University of Wisconsin at Madison 16th on its list of math grad schools, tied with Duke and the University of Pennsylvania.
6. University of California-San Diego
Ranked #19, this university offers undergraduate programs with eight different concentrations as well as master’s degree and Ph.D. programs.
7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tied for #19 along with the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, this mathematics department has an actuarial science degree program for undergraduates as well as Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
8. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
At this university, undergraduates can earn a bachelor’s degree in math with concentrations in actuarial science, computer applications, mathematical biology, or mathematics education. Graduate students can choose between professional programs, master’s degree programs, and Ph.D. programs.
9. Rutgers University
Tied for #22 with the University of Maryland and the private, not-for-profit Northwestern, Rutgers offers a 5-year B.A.-M.A. program along with three undergraduate degree options including an actuarial track, two M.S. degree programs, and a Ph.D. program.
10. University of Maryland-College Park
Undergraduate math majors can choose a standard track, an honors track, or a concentration in secondary mathematics education at this university. Master’s and Ph.D. seekers can concentrate in mathematics, statistics, or AMSC (applied mathematics, statistics, and scientific computation).