3 US leaders of mathematics & statistics preparing graduates for global success

In the US, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are set to grow by 10.8% come 2032. There will be over 11,000 positions to be filled. With these numbers only rising each year, now is the perfect time to pursue or advance your career in one of those fields. We recommend mathematics.

With a mathematics degree, you can branch out to various fields. Accountant, financial analyst, statistician, mathematics teacher, data scientist, and mathematician are just some of the roles you can land with a mathematics graduate degree. But the first step you must take is to choose the right university.

The better the university, the higher your chances of rising in this field. One key point to note is a school’s approach to the subject. Some are more theoretical, while others are more hands-on with research. The other factor is the overall student experience. You’ll want to find a school with lots of support, facilities and opportunities — like those listed below:

Clemson University is dedicated to delivering the best student experience. Source: Clemson University

Clemson University

At the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at Clemson University, you’re not just mastering traditional mathematics or learning to analyze vast amounts of data. You’re gaining a comprehensive education that equips you with the skills to tackle complex mathematical problems and make meaningful contributions in a variety of fields. These experiences will position you for a rewarding career in an almost limitless range of professional fields. This is achieved by the school’s wide breadth of training across the mathematical sciences spectrum namely statistics, pure and applied mathematics, optimization, stochastics, mathematical biology, and computational math.

These particular degree paths cannot be found at most other research-focused institutions. Here, postgraduate students engage in research across diverse domains, supported by over 55 tenured and tenure-track professors who are leading experts in their fields. The faculty’s strong collaborative network extends globally, fostering interdisciplinary connections not only within mathematical sciences but also in fields such as genetics, engineering, computer science, biology, psychology, health sciences, and epidemiology. Engaging with experts from these diverse backgrounds will allow you to approach problems from multiple perspectives, enhancing your understanding of complex subjects. This interdisciplinary exposure will give you a significant advantage in the job market, which increasingly values candidates with a broad range of knowledge and skills.

Anyone with a mathematics or statistics degree is qualified to apply for these programs. The school offers a Master of Science (MS) and a doctorate degree that will prepare you with the right knowledge and skills to enter the workforce, whether in industry, government, health care, life sciences or dedicating yourself to working in academia and pure research. You are encouraged to participate in teaching assistantships too where you will be awarded for work in the form of tuition remission and an annual stipend.

This all adds to the Clemson University student experience. Right from the moment you step in, you are welcomed into a familial atmosphere where professors, faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and over 130 graduate students from all over the world engage with each other and work towards a common goal: to make a change in the world of mathematical and statistical sciences. This sense of community and the school’s wide breadth of mathematical training is what makes Clemson University stand out.

Apply to Clemson University now. There is no application fee and the GRE is not required for MS and PhD applicants.

The department offers postgraduate degrees that include a Master of Arts (MA) and PhDs in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Source: UC Davis Math Department/Facebook

University of California, Davis

The Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Davis has much to offer rising mathematicians. With a broad range of graduate courses, research areas, potential dissertation supervisors, major library resources, computer facilities, and support, it is easy to see why this department is a top choice in the US. It is #30 in the US News & World Report  ranking.

Embedded within the College of Letters and Science, the largest college at UC Davis, these resources will be great help throughout your time here, especially when you’re working on advanced tasks set by the department’s faculty.

The department offers graduate degrees that include a Master of Arts (MA) and PhDs in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. These cover the basic principles of both subjects and then address them through research. They may comprise topics such as algebra, analysis, combinatorics, differential geometry, geometric topology, harmonic analysis, mathematical biology, mathematical physics, numerical analysis, partial differential equations, optimisation and control, quantum computation, and representation theory. You are also treated to weekly seminars where you will gain more mathematical knowledge from experts in the industry.

For students who want to gain some financial support while they’re here, the department has teaching assistantships. You will be responsible for preparing courses, individual and/or group tutoring, leading discussions, and grading homework. You will be paid depending on your weekly hours, which may help cover the cost of your graduate degree. An additional stipend is available in the summer.

With over 40 faculty members  as well as a large number of postdoctoral scholars from around the world, UC Davis is where you get first-hand knowledge from the industry’s best. Being a small-sized department, you can take advantage of the faculty-to-student ratio where you have the opportunity to work closely and personally with your lecturer.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers seven graduate programmes. Source: University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Dallas

The famous Polish mathematician Stefan Banach once said that mathematics is the most beautiful and powerful creation of the human spirit. This saying rings true at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, where they are enthusiastic about all things mathematical sciences and proud of the education, research, and service quality they provide. Here, students and faculty members work together on research focused on pure and applied mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, data science, and actuarial science – the latter was recently named a Centre of Actuarial Excellence, one of 19 in the US and one of 35 in the world.

The department runs seven graduate programmes. One of them is the MS in Mathematics, which you can choose to specialise in either Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics for Decision and Engineering Sciences, or Data Science. With 36 semester credit hours minimum to complete, the curriculum involves courses that cover Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, depending on which specialisation you choose. Master’s degree students here have a strong record of getting full-time jobs in prolific companies just after graduation. These include names like American Airlines, Baylor College of Medicine, Booz Allen, Citigroup, Infosys, National Life Group, Nike, and UT Southwestern Medical Centre.

The PhD in Mathematics, on the other hand, includes extensive coursework and intensive research experience in theory, methodology, and applications of mathematics while being supervised by a faculty member. Before your dissertation, you must complete five compulsory courses: Real Analysis, Functional Analysis I, Theory of Complex Functions I, Abstract Algebra I, and Ordinary Differential Equations, plus another six out of 15 courses to choose from and an additional four electives.

PhD students are encouraged to apply for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship. These assistantships might help with your financial situation as they include a monthly stipend and a full tuition waiver covering nine credit hours per term. It also covers the cost of your health insurance purchased through the university.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International