by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Mathematics & Computer Science explores Mathematics And Computer Science. A Program With A General Synthesis Of Mathematics And Computer Science Or A Specialization Which Draws From Mathematics And Computer Science. Read on to learn the essential details every mathematics & computer science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mathematics & computer science programs.
Across the country, mathematics & computer science draws strong interest, with 1,604 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mathematics & Computer Science Schools ranking analyzes these 76 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mathematics & computer science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mathematics & computer science programs later in this article.
Programs in Mathematics & Computer Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mathematics & computer science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a mathematics & computer science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a mathematics & computer science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mathematics & computer science 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 | 25 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,167 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 403 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to mathematics & computer science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.0% |
| Master’s degree | 19.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.4% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mathematics & computer science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in mathematics & computer science opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to mathematics & computer science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mathematics & computer science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of mathematics & computer science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $88,328 |
| 4 years | $77,832 |
| 5 years | $93,547 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for mathematics & computer science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mathematics & computer science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
With 76 different mathematics & computer science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mathematics & computer science school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
