Programs
Notable Mathematics Programs
A curated set of influential mathematics departments in the country — compare by focus area and find the right program for your goals.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
MIT Mathematics is renowned for its research output across pure and applied mathematics. The department produces Nobel and Fields Medal winners and maintains deep ties to MIT's engineering and physics programs.
- Fields Medal-winning alumni and faculty across the department's history
- Strong pure math research in algebra, number theory, and geometry
- Applied math program tightly integrated with engineering and physics
Notable Areas
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Princeton's math department is one of the most storied in the world — home to John Nash, Andrew Wiles (who proved Fermat's Last Theorem here), and a culture of deep, unhurried mathematical thought.
- Andrew Wiles proved Fermat's Last Theorem at Princeton
- Close proximity to the Institute for Advanced Study
- Small, intimate department with exceptional faculty access
Notable Areas
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
UChicago has one of the most rigorous and demanding mathematics programs in the country. The department is particularly strong in analysis, algebra, and geometry, with a distinctive Socratic seminar culture.
- The famous Leland Ryerson Hall math culture
- Unparalleled depth in algebraic geometry and analysis
- Strong preparation for competitive PhD programs
Notable Areas
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Stanford's mathematics department is exceptional, but it's particularly distinguished by its applied mathematics and statistics programs, which feed directly into Silicon Valley's technology ecosystem.
- World-class Statistics department — a separate powerhouse
- Strong applied math in optimization and scientific computing
- Deep ties to industry via proximity to Silicon Valley
Notable Areas
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Harvard Mathematics is one of the oldest and most prestigious departments in the country. The undergraduate program is demanding and produces a disproportionate number of PhD students at top programs.
- Historic department with graduates across every mathematics discipline
- Strong in representation theory, geometry, and mathematical physics
- Joint programs with Harvard-MIT mathematics
Notable Areas
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley's mathematics and statistics departments are known for exceptional breadth across pure, applied, and statistical areas, with a large research community and strong undergraduate offerings.
- Separate, world-class Statistics department
- Exceptional faculty breadth across all subfields
- Strong computational mathematics and scientific computing
Notable Areas
New York University — Courant Institute
New York, NY
The Courant Institute is one of the world's premier applied mathematics institutions. Founded by Richard Courant, it is renowned for PDEs, fluid dynamics, and mathematical physics — and its proximity to Wall Street makes it a pipeline to quantitative finance.
- Founded by Richard Courant, legendary in applied math
- World-leading research in PDEs and fluid dynamics
- Master's in Mathematics in Finance — top quant pipeline
Notable Areas
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan has an exceptionally strong and well-rounded mathematics program with particular depth in algebra, number theory, and applied mathematics, plus broad options for undergraduates.
- Exceptionally strong algebraic geometry and number theory groups
- Combined BS/MS program options
- Strong actuarial and financial mathematics programs
Notable Areas
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Mathematics is a large, research-intensive department with exceptional strength in analysis, combinatorics, and applied mathematics. Terence Tao — widely considered one of the greatest living mathematicians — is a faculty member.
- Terence Tao (Fields Medalist) is a faculty member
- World-class research in analysis and combinatorics
- Strong applied math ties to engineering and data science
Notable Areas
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
CMU's Mathematical Sciences department is uniquely positioned at the intersection of mathematics and computer science, with programs in combinatorics, logic, statistics, and connections to CS and ML.
- World-class combinatorics and discrete mathematics program
- Direct integration with CS and ML programs
- Statistics & Data Science major offered jointly with CS
Notable Areas
Choosing the Right Program
If you want a PhD in pure mathematics
Prioritize programs with strong research faculty in your specific area of interest. The advisor relationship matters far more than rankings. Visit and talk to current PhD students.
If you want a career in industry after a BS/MS
Look for programs with strong applied math or statistics components, industry connections, and internship pipelines. Location (proximity to financial or tech hubs) matters significantly.
If you want flexibility to decide later
Choose a program with strong pure and applied offerings, and take courses in both during your first two years. The transition from pure to applied is much easier than the reverse.