Rankings / Online Masters
Best Online Master's in Mathematics
- 50
- Schools
- $51,373
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,921
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,688
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $27,981 at the low end to $102,772 at the top. That 3.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $102,772 against $12,116 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, at $4,904 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students, well above the 50% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Johns Hopkins University: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Southern New Hampshire University ($50,318 earnings), not the highest earner, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($102,772). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus ($4,904/yr) and Southern New Hampshire University ($36,708/yr) produce graduates earning $38,550 and $50,318 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $31,804 cost difference would suggest.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students versus 25% at Middle Georgia State University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Johns Hopkins University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $50K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-20
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Southern New Hampshire University #1 overall | $50,318 ▼ -2% vs avg | $36,708 | 44% | 100 |
| 2 Ave Maria University #2 overall | $49,520 ▼ -4% vs avg | $24,860 | 55% | 100 |
| 3 Liberty University #3 overall | $44,813 ▼ -13% vs avg | $29,357 | 64% | 100 |
| $46,440 ▼ -10% vs avg | $15,676 | 50% | 100 | |
| $62,105 ▲ +21% vs avg | $22,066 | 69% | 100 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Online Master's in Mathematics
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,373 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $16,921.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Net Price: $12,116 | Graduation Rate: 93%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Johns Hopkins University — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $102,772
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Access & Flexibility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about online education and the working-adult learner?
$49,538
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$15,316
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
The online education market has matured. What was once a niche offering for non-traditional students is now a central way Americans access higher education. The programs that succeed pair flexibility with the support structures and academic rigor that lead to completion and career outcomes rather than enrollment alone.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $49,538 ten years after they first enrolled, about $1,538 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 50%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,316 a year, with about $22,189 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 36% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.0%.
Online delivery is no longer a compromise; the best programs post outcomes competitive with their on-campus peers. With median earnings of $49,538 and a net price of $15,316, these programs show that flexibility and quality can coexist.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #1 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $50,318 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,708 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Ave Maria University lands at #2 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $49,520 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,860 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Liberty University lands at #3 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Belhaven University lands at #4 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,440 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,676 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Saint Louis, MO · 95% accepted · $22,066 net
Why it ranks #5
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #5 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Eastern University lands at #6 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $51,655 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #7 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $45,079 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Buena Vista University lands at #8 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,156 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,846 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Dakota State University lands at #9 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $50,970 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,057 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Portales, NM · 92% accepted · $4,904 net
Why it ranks #10
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus lands at #10 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,550 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Mayville State University lands at #11 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $47,828 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Livingstone College lands at #12 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $32,600 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Virginia Union University lands at #13 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Indiana University-East lands at #14 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,156 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Maharishi International University lands at #15 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $27,981 a decade after enrolling, 46% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,956 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of St Francis lands at #16 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,926 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,006 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #17 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of West Florida lands at #18 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Regent University lands at #19 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,498 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,923 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #20
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #20 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 100% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Morningside University lands at #21 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $55,494 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Johns Hopkins University lands at #22 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 70% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Chadron State College lands at #23 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,002 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,549 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southwestern College lands at #24 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $55,646 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,824 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of West Georgia lands at #25 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,587 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
MiraCosta College lands at #26 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,845 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,339 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Sul Ross State University lands at #27 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,871 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Alexandria, LA · 92% accepted · $7,065 net
Why it ranks #28
Louisiana State University at Alexandria lands at #28 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $42,205 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,065 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Northern Kentucky University lands at #29 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,220 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,191 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Simmons University lands at #30 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Mount Vernon Nazarene University lands at #31 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,555 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,421 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Fitchburg State University lands at #32 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,874 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,262 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
University of North Dakota lands at #33 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,552 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,551 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Foothill College lands at #34 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $57,072 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,653 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Oral Roberts University lands at #35 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,885 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Middle Georgia State University lands at #36 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,863 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,361 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Black Hills State University lands at #37 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (62/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $46,674 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,911 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of Wisconsin-Superior lands at #38 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $49,606 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,220 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
University of Illinois Springfield lands at #39 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,833 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Wesleyan College lands at #40 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,317 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,724 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Notre Dame of Maryland University lands at #41 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,344 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,169 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Albertus Magnus College lands at #42 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $60,144 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,028 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
University of South Dakota lands at #43 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $51,926 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,858 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
East Texas A&M University lands at #44 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Northeastern State University lands at #45 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,379 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
King University lands at #46 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,831 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Eastern Oregon University lands at #47 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,112 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,148 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Little Rock, AR · 59% accepted · $17,248 net
Why it ranks #48
University of Arkansas at Little Rock lands at #48 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $45,265 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,248 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Northern State University lands at #49 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,618 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,812 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Freed-Hardeman University lands at #50 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,485 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Online master's programs in mathematics are becoming increasingly attractive to students looking to advance their careers. With an average earning potential of $70,576, these programs provide a pathway to higher salaries and greater job stability.
What sets the top programs apart is not just the earning potential but also graduation rates, affordability, and the debt students incur. The schools ranked below are evaluated based on these critical outcomes, making it easier for prospective students to find a program that aligns with their financial and educational goals.
For instance, Johns Hopkins University stands out with impressive earnings of $87,555 and a graduation rate of 94%. In contrast, the University of Central Florida has significantly lower earnings at $58,308 and a graduation rate of 77%. By examining these outcomes, students can make informed decisions about their educational investments.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 31 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2%. Albertus Magnus College leads the group at 5.5%, with Sul Ross State University (5.2%) and Southeastern Oklahoma State University (3.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. University of West Florida leads at 27.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.2% across this list. Johns Hopkins University posts the highest success rate at 58.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.54 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Simmons University reaches 1.85, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
Examining the data reveals a clear pattern between earnings and graduation rates. For instance, Georgia Tech graduates have the highest earnings at $102,772, but they face a higher debt burden of $21,672 compared to Johns Hopkins, which has lower earnings at $87,555 but a more favorable graduation rate of 94%. This suggests that while Georgia Tech may lead in earnings, the tradeoff might be the higher debt load that graduates carry.
As you weigh the options from this list, consider your personal priorities. Are you looking for a program with a higher graduation rate or one that offers greater earning potential? Think about your financial situation and how much debt you are willing to take on. Remember that a lower net price can significantly affect your long-term financial health.
Ultimately, these outcomes reflect the broader reality of transitioning from college to a stable career. A single decision about where to pursue a master's degree can shape not just a student's future earnings but their overall quality of life. We all want to make choices that lead to stability and success, and understanding these metrics is a vital part of that process.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Online Master's in Mathematics: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Online Master's in Mathematics ranking? +
Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Online Master's in Mathematics ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $50,318 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 44% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $102,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,373 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus leads: graduates earn a median $102,772 against net price of about $12,116 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Johns Hopkins University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 50% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,921 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is among the most affordable at roughly $4,904. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Online Master's in Mathematics ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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