by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Mathematics Education covers Mathematics Teacher Education. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Mathematics Programs At Various Educational Levels. Examples: [Elementary Mathematics Teacher Education], [Middle School Mathematics Teacher Education], [Secondary Mathematics Teacher Education]. Continue reading for the key facts every mathematics education student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mathematics education programs.
Across the country, mathematics education draws strong interest, with 2,993 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mathematics Education Schools ranking analyzes these 355 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mathematics education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mathematics education programs later in this article.
Studies in Mathematics Education build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mathematics education graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a mathematics education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a mathematics education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mathematics education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 15 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,154 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,785 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 39 |
People currently working in careers related to mathematics education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 47.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.3% |
| Master’s degree | 7.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mathematics education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in mathematics education can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to mathematics education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mathematics education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 96,977 | 14.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of mathematics education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,919 |
| 4 years | $50,204 |
| 5 years | $56,331 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for mathematics education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mathematics education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $40,564 |
With 355 different mathematics education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mathematics education school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in mathematics education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 6,964 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 5,986 |
| Music Teacher Education | 4,544 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 3,018 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other | 2,352 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 1,963 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1,860 |
| Health Teacher Education | 1,472 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 1,051 |
| Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education | 1,022 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
