The best universities for mathematics in 2026 are MIT, Princeton University, and Harvard University. According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the USA and UK dominate mathematics rankings. Mathematics graduates are in high demand across finance, technology, data science, and cryptography, with top salaries of $100,000–$200,000+ in quantitative roles.
What Are the Top Universities for Mathematics in 2026?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education subject rankings, the following institutions represent the world’s leading programs. Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international faculty and student diversity.
| # | University | Location | Global Ranking | Degrees Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIT | Cambridge, USA | #1 QS Mathematics | BS, SM, PhD |
| 2 | Princeton University | Princeton, USA | #2 QS Mathematics | AB, PhD |
| 3 | Harvard University | Cambridge, USA | #3 QS Mathematics | AB, AM, PhD |
| 4 | Stanford University | Stanford, USA | #4 QS Mathematics | BS, MS, PhD |
| 5 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK | #5 QS Mathematics | BA/MMath, PhD |
| 6 | University of Oxford | Oxford, UK | #6 QS Mathematics | MMath, MSc, DPhil |
| 7 | ETH Zurich | Zurich, Switzerland | #7 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 8 | UC Berkeley | Berkeley, USA | #8 QS Mathematics | BS, MA, PhD |
| 9 | Peking University | Beijing, China | #9 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 10 | University of Chicago | Chicago, USA | #10 QS Mathematics | BS, MS, PhD |
| 11 | New York University (Courant) | New York, USA | #11 QS Mathematics | BS, MS, PhD |
| 12 | Tsinghua University | Beijing, China | #12 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 13 | Paris-Saclay University | Paris, France | #13 QS Mathematics | Licence, Master, PhD |
| 14 | Imperial College London | London, UK | #14 QS Mathematics | BSc/MSci, MSc, PhD |
| 15 | University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada | #15 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 16 | ETH Lausanne (EPFL) | Lausanne, Switzerland | #16 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 17 | University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | #17 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| 18 | Sorbonne University | Paris, France | #18 QS Mathematics | Licence, Master, PhD |
| 19 | University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, UK | #19 QS Mathematics | BSc/MMath, MSc, PhD |
| 20 | TU Munich | Munich, Germany | #20 QS Mathematics | BSc, MSc, PhD |
Source: Compiled from QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2026, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Last updated: February 2026.
What Are the Best Countries to Study Mathematics?
The choice of country significantly impacts your education quality, career opportunities, and post-graduation prospects. Here are the top destinations based on program quality, affordability, and career outcomes:
| Country | Why Study Here |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | Largest concentration of top math departments; Institute for Advanced Study Princeton; NSF funding |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Cambridge MMath integrated master’s; Oxford’s Mathematical Institute; strong pure mathematics tradition |
| 🇫🇷 France | École Normale Supérieure, Paris-Saclay; Fields Medal powerhouse; grandes écoles system |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ETH Zurich + EPFL; international mathematics hub; affordable tuition at CHF 730/semester |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | TU Munich, Humboldt Berlin; free tuition; strong applied mathematics and statistics |
| 🇨🇳 China | Peking, Tsinghua rapidly rising; major investment in mathematical research talent |
What Are the Career Prospects for Mathematics Graduates?
Mathematics graduates command premium salaries across finance, technology, and data science. Quantitative analysts (quants) at investment banks and hedge funds earn $150,000–$500,000+. Data scientists and machine learning engineers earn $100,000–$200,000 in tech. Actuaries earn $75,000–$130,000 in insurance. Academic mathematics positions require a PhD. The versatility of a mathematics degree consistently makes it one of the top ROI degrees globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a mathematics degree?
Mathematics graduates work as data scientists, quantitative analysts, actuaries, software engineers, cryptographers, financial modelers, statisticians, operations researchers, and academics. The analytical rigor of a math degree is highly valued across virtually all industries.
What is the difference between pure and applied mathematics?
Pure mathematics explores abstract concepts for their intrinsic interest, including number theory, topology, and algebra. Applied mathematics uses mathematical methods to solve real-world problems in physics, engineering, biology, finance, and computing. Most universities offer both tracks, with applied mathematics being more directly career-focused.
Is mathematics a good degree for finance?
Excellent. Mathematics is the preferred undergraduate degree for quantitative finance roles. Investment banks, hedge funds, and fintech companies actively recruit mathematicians for trading, risk management, derivatives pricing, and algorithmic strategies. A math degree + CFA or financial engineering master’s is a powerful combination.
Do I need a PhD in mathematics?
For academic and research positions, yes. For industry roles in finance, data science, and technology, a bachelor’s or master’s is typically sufficient. Many quant finance roles specifically prefer master’s-level applied mathematics over a PhD.
What is the hardest area of mathematics to study?
Real analysis, abstract algebra, and topology are typically considered the most challenging undergraduate subjects. At the graduate level, algebraic geometry and number theory are notoriously difficult. PhD programs in mathematics have among the lowest completion rates of any academic discipline.
Which country produces the most Fields Medal winners?
France has the most Fields Medal winners per capita, followed by the USA, Russia, UK, and Japan. The Fields Medal is mathematics’ equivalent of the Nobel Prize, awarded every 4 years to mathematicians under 40. French mathematical culture, particularly through the grandes écoles, is renowned globally.
Data and rankings on this page are based on the latest available figures from QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and subject-specific accreditation bodies. Last verified: February 2026.
Explore More University Rankings
- Best Universities in the USA
- Best Universities in the UK
- Best Universities in France
- Best Universities in Switzerland
- Best Universities in Germany
- Best Universities in China
- World University Rankings 2026
- Best Universities for Computer Science
- Best Universities for Medicine
- Best Universities for Engineering