Online Mathematics Degrees

The highest-earning degrees listed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers -- many of them in engineering -- all feature strong math skills. Mathematics is a versatile building block for many career pursuits, from scientific research to IT to business analysis. Online mathematics degrees teach you the theory and application of numerical systems.

Mathematics is the science of numbers, quantity and spatial relationships. Special topics include mathematical logic, algebraic systems, number theory, calculus and more. Online mathematics degree programs may also focus on practical applications, such as scientific research and development, information science and technology, algorithms and computer science, or math education.

Mathematics: education and training

Math degrees are available at all levels, from associate degrees to doctorates. A bachelor's degree offers a strong foundation for many entry-level careers. For mid-career professionals, a graduate certificate or master's degree program can provide targeted training such as statistics for market research, risk analysis for operations management or algorithms for computer programming.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that actuaries typically hold a bachelor's degree, often with professional certifications. To work as a mathematician in private industry generally requires an advanced degree such as a Ph.D.

Career outlook and salary

Since graduates of online mathematics degree programs find work across the economy, it's impossible to offer a single career prognosis. Overall, math majors do well relative to other majors, according to a recent report by the Georgetown University Center on Education on the Workforce. For computer and mathematics majors, salaries range from $46,000 for recent graduates to $76,000 for those with experience, or $91,000 for those with a graduate degree.

The versatility of the mathematics degree is one of its chief advantages. The BLS recorded the following mean annual salaries in 2010 for related careers:

• Market research analyst: $66,850
• Operations research analysts $76,980
• Actuary: $98,620
• Mathematician: $100,260

Employment opportunities vary by career; for example, the BLS notes that actuaries can expect high demand, with job growth of 21 percent in the 2008-2018 period.

Math skills are prized in today's data-driven business world. The New York Times recently highlighted a digital talent gap: Companies are increasingly hard-pressed to find specialists who can extract useful knowledge from all the data collected. Campus and online mathematics degrees can equip you to answer the call for quantitative talents in tomorrow's economy.

The highest-earning degrees listed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers -- many of them in engineering -- all feature strong math skills. Mathematics is a versatile building block for many career pursuits, from scientific research to IT to business analysis. Online mathematics degrees teach you the theory and …