By CSDH Staff
Whether or not you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in the subject, you may be interested in earning a master’s degree in computational mathematics. With the degree, you can be employed at some of the most prestigious technological firms in the world, solving problems using math and computer science.
To make your decision easier, Computer Science Degree Hub went on the hunt for the best master’s degrees in computational mathematics. We began putting together our ranking by compiling a list of all universities offering just such a degree. To narrow down our [very long] list to just 30 schools, we used the following points-based system.
Annual Out-of-State Tuition:
Under $10,000: 5 points
Under $20,000: 4 points
Under $30,000: 3 points
Under $40,000: 2 points
Under $50,000: 1 point
20-Year Return on Investment (ROI):
9% and above: 5 points
7%-8%: 4 points
5%-6%: 3 points
3%-4%: 2 points
1%-2%: 1 point
Student to Faculty Ratio:
10:1 and better: 5 points
12:1 and better: 4 points
15:1 and better: 3 points
18:1 and better: 2 points
21:1 and better: 1 point
U.S. News and World Report: Best Global Universities for Mathematics
Top 5: 5 points
Top 10: 4 points
Top 20: 3 points
Top 50: 2 points
Top 100: 1 point
Degree Available Online?
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
Note: In the event of a tie in points, the higher ranking was awarded to the university with the lowest annual out-of-state tuition rate. All tuition numbers listed below are accurate as of October 2021.
30 Best Master’s Degrees in Computational Mathematics
#30. University of Michigan, Dearborn
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Dearborn, Michigan
Annual Graduate Tuition: $13,850 (in-state), $24,672 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 5
University of Michigan at Dearborn offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics that emphasizes applied math, numerical analysis, and mathematical modeling. Earning the degree requires students to complete 30 semester hours of coursework. Just a few courses include:
- Matrix Computation
- Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems
- Dynamical Systems
#29. Rochester Institute of Technology
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Rochester, New York
Applied Graduate Tuition: $50,136
Total Points: 6
Rochester Institute of Technology offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Thirty credit hours are required to complete this degree. Coursework includes:
- Graph Theory
- Mathematical Modeling
- Numerical Analysis, to name but three
Two graduate seminars are also required to be completed at the end of a student’s first year of study. The second year of study is spent completing one elective and either a project or thesis.
#28. Claremont Graduate University
Master of Science in Computational and Applied Mathematics
Claremont, California
Annual Graduate Tuition: $35,640
Total Points 6
The Institute of Mathematical Sciences at Claremont Graduate University offers an M.S. in Computational and Applied Mathematics. Thirty-two units are required to earn the degree, and most students are able to graduate in two years. A few of the courses include:
- Mathematics of Machine Learning
- Numerical Methods for Matrix Computations
- Stochastic Processes.
#27. University of Colorado at Boulder
Master of Science in Applied Math w/ Track in Statistics & Data Science
Boulder, Colorado
Annual Graduate Tuition: $11,826 (in-state), $31,284 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 7
University of Colorado at Boulder offers a Professional Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics in which students can concentrate on Statistics and Data Science. Coursework for this degree covers various aspects of:
- statistics
- math
- data science
- computing
Hands-on, experiential education is the focus of UC Boulder’s philosophy, and students are required to complete a comprehensive final project before graduation.
#26. Western Michigan University
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Annual Graduate Tuition: $16,360 (in-state), $30,432 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 7
Western Michigan University offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics. The degree provides a “broad background in the mathematical sciences including statistics, differential equations, mathematical programming and computational mathematics.” Earning the degree requires either 31 or 32 semester hours of coursework. Classes include Optimization and Applied Matrix Algebra, to name but two.
#25. Florida State University
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Tallahassee, Florida
Annual Graduate Tuition: $9,684 (in-state), $24,116 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 7
Florida State University offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics that is designed “to prepare students for mathematics careers in academia, research laboratories, and industry.” Students choose between a non-thesis coursework option, or a thesis-based option. While the former requires 36 credit hours of coursework, the latter requires 30 credit hours and a defended thesis.
#24. Buffalo State University
Professional Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Buffalo, New York
Annual Graduate Tuition: $11,310 (in-state), $23,100 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 7
Buffalo State University offers a Professional Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics. The program is a collaboration between the university and parters in the Western New York Area. This partnership provides a number of unique opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience throughout their studies. Earning the degree requires 27 credits of coursework, plus an additional three credits of an internship.
#23. California State University, Fullerton
Master of Science in Computational Applied Mathematics
Fullerton, California
Annual Graduate Tuition: $7,176 (in-state), $16,680 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 7
California State University at Fullerton, which is located about 25 miles from Los Angeles, offers an M.S. in Computational Applied Mathematics. Earning this degree requires students to complete 30 credit hours of coursework. Most students continue classes through at least one summer term in order to finish their master’s education in just two years. Among the required classes are:
- Applied Analysis
- Advanced Linear Algebra and Applications
- Mathematical Modeling
Before graduation, students must also complete an Industrial Project in Computational Applied Mathematics.
#22. Northwestern University
Master of Science in Engineering Sciences & Applied Mathematics
Evanston, Illinois
Annual Graduate Tuition: $56,067
Total Points: 8
Northwestern University offers an M.S. in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics. The degree is designed to prepare students for either PhD studies or a career as a professional mathematician. Earning the master’s degree requires completing 12 courses, which most students are able to do in two years. Potential classes include Numerical Solutions of Partial Differential Equations and High Performance Scientific Computing, to name but two. Each year, special topic courses are also offered.
#21. Old Dominion University
Master of Science in Computational and Applied Mathematics
Norfolk, Virginia
Annual Graduate Tuition: $10,207 (in-state), $29,851 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
Old Dominion University offers an M.S. in Computational and Applied Mathematics. This unique on-campus degree program puts a special emphasis on Big Data Analytics. Earning the M.S. from Old Dominion requires completing 33 credit hours of coursework in classes such as:
- Modern Statistical Methods for Big Data Analytics
- Mathematical Statistics
- Introduction to Machine Learning.
#20. St. John’s University
Master of Arts in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Queens, New York
Annual Graduate Tuition: $29,816
Total Points: 8
St. John’s University offers one of only two Master of Arts degrees on our list of the best graduate degrees in computational math. The university’s M.A. in Applied and Computational Mathematics requires 33 credit hours of coursework. Classes include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Algorithms
- Operations Research
Students may also choose to concentrate on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
#19. University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Master of Science in Mathematics in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Lowell, Massachusetts
Annual Graduate Tuition: $14,590 (in-state), $26,370 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
University of Massachusetts at Lowell offers an M.S. in Mathematics in Applied and Computational Mathematics. To earn this degree a student must complete 30 credit hours of required coursework and relevant electives. Classes include:
- Mathematical Modeling
- Special Functions
- Optimization, to name but three.
#18. Colorado State University
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Fort Collins, Colorado
Annual Graduate Tuition: $10,520 (in-state), $25,791 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
Colorado State University offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Earning this degree from CSU requires students to complete 35 credit hours of coursework, plus a graduate seminar. Before graduation, students must also complete either a thesis or an advisor-directed expository paper.
#17. Duquesne University
Master of Science in Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Annual Graduate Tuition: $24,048
Total Points: 8
Duquesne University offers an M.S. in Computational Mathematics and Statistics. The degree requires completing certain core requirements, which include classes on various programming languages. Upon completion of coursework, computational mathematics grad students at Duquesne are able to do an internship. They also have the opportunity to work on a faculty-directed project or thesis.
#16. University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Science in Mathematics w/ Concentration in Mathematical Computer Science
Chicago, Illinois
Annual Graduate Tuition: $13,799 (in-state), $23,714 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
University of Illinois at Chicago offers an M.S. in Mathematics program in which students may choose to concentrate on Mathematical Computer Science. To earn this this degree students must complete 32 credit hours of required coursework, including classes like Combinatorics and Numerical Analysis. Most students who graduate with this master’s degree continue on to complete doctoral work.
#15. Stony Brook University
Master of Science in Computational Applied Mathematics
Stony Brook, New York
Annual Graduate Tuition: $11,310 (in-state), $23,100 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
Stony Brook University offers an M.S. in Computational Applied Mathematics. Earning the degree requires completing 30 credits of coursework. Some classes include:
- Numerical Analysis
- Principles in Parallel Computing
- Wave Propagation
No thesis is required to graduate with a master’s in computational math from Stony Brook.
#14. West Chester University
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Annual Graduate Tuition: $9,288 (in-state), $13,932 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
West Chester University offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics. The program is designed for students with careers and/or families. Classes are available on a full- or part-time basis, and in the evenings. Earning the degree requires completing 36 credits of coursework ranging from Theory of Numbers to Stochastic Modeling. An Industrial Practicum is also required before graduation.
#13. University of Notre Dame
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Notre Dame, Indiana
Annual Graduate Tuition: $57,050
Total Points: 9
University of Notre Dame offers na M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics. Earning the degree requires completing 30 credits of coursework including:
- computational science
- statistics
- applied mathematics
The flexible degree also allows for students to choose a specialization in:
- Predictive Analytics
- Applied Statistics
- Applied and Computational Math
Students may complete the full master’s degree on campus or online, in 10 months or 16 months.
#12. Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Baltimore, Maryland
Annual Graduate Tuition: $57,010
Total Points: 9
Johns Hopkins University offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics which can be completed either on campus in Baltimore or online from anywhere in the world. Students may choose from among five focus areas for their degree, including:
- Information Technology and Computation
- Simulation and Modeling
- and Applied Analysis
Though Johns Hopkins’s degree is highly customizable, all students must complete five core courses and six electives. U.S. News & World Report currently ranks Johns Hopkins University as the 116th best university in the world for studying math.
#11. Temple University
Master of Science in Mathematics with a Concentration in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Annual Graduate Tuition: $16,956 (in-state), $23,346 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 9
Temple University offers an M.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Required courses for the degree program include:
- Calculus of Variations
- Knot Theory and Low-Dimensional Topology
- Homological Algebra, among others
Most students graduate with their master’s degree in three years or less. During the summer, students have the opportunity to participate in the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, or study abroad in Europe or Asia.
#10. Marquette University
Master of Science in Computational Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Annual Graduate Tuition: $21,690
Total Points: 9
Marquette University graduate students can earn an M.S. in Computational Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. The 30-credit degree program takes about two years to complete, though students may also choose to pursue the degree on a part-time basis. Most students who complete the degree go on to earn a doctoral degree.
#9. Augusta University
Master of Science in Biological and Computational Math
Augusta, Georgia
Annual Graduate Tuition: $5,504 (in-state), $18,772 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 9
Augusta University offers na M.S. in Biological and Computational Math. Earning the degree requires completing 36 credit hours of coursework, and most students graduate in two years. Many of the required classes include a hands-on or experiential component. Students attend a number of seminars over the course of the curriculum. A graduate project is also required before graduation.
#8. Rice University
Master of Computational and Applied Mathematics
Houston, Texas
Annual Graduate Tuition: $47,306
Total Points: 10
Rice University offers a Master of Computational and Applied Mathematics. Earning the degree requires completing 30 credit hours of coursework in classes such as:
- Linear and Integer Programming
- Numerical Analysis
- Computational Science
Rice University does not require its students to complete a thesis before graduation.
#7. University of Washington, Seattle
Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Seattle, Washington
Annual Graduate Tuition: $16,278 (in-state), $29,178 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 10
U.S. News & World Report currently ranks University of Washington as the 22nd best university in the world at which to study math. The Seattle-based campus offers an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics, designed to prepare students for a successful career in industry. To earn the degree, students must complete nine courses, and have the option of completing an additional thesis. UW-Seattle’s M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics may be completed full-time or part-time, on campus or online.
#6. Michigan Technological University
Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences w/ an emphasis in Computational and Applied Mathematics
Houghton, Michigan
Annual Graduate Tuition: $21,744
Total Points: 10
Michigan Tech offers an M.S. in Mathematical Sciences program in which students may choose to concentrate on Computational and Applied Mathematics. Students have the further choice of completing a thesis, a project, or a special examination to fully earn their degree. Among the courses are:
- Numerical Linear Algebra
- Topics in Applied Mathematics
- Real Analysis.
#5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Master of Science in Computational Sciences and Engineering
Atlanta, Georgia
Annual Graduate Tuition: $14,064 (in-state), $29,140 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 11
Georgia Tech offers an M.S. in Computational Sciences and Engineering. The degree program requires 30 credit hours of coursework, including classes on:
- Performance Computing
- Numerical Linear Algebra
- Computational Data Analysis
Twelve of the required 30 credit hours focus on a specialization of a student’s choice, while six are satisfied by either additional electives or a master’s thesis. Students work with the Computer Science and Engineering program director to plan out the most appropriate course of study for their personal goals.
#4. University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Annual Graduate Tuition: $37,678
Total Points: 12
Top-ranked Penn offers an M.A. in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science. This graduate degree is appropriate for those intending doctoral work, or for those ready for their career after graduation. Earning the degree requires two semesters of analysis, two semesters of applied linear algebra, and two semesters of probability theory. Students have the choice of completing two additional courses, or a master’s thesis.
#3. New York University
Master of Science in Scientific Computing
New York, New York
Annual Graduate Tuition: $34,704
Total Points: 13
US News: 13
U.S. News & World Report ranks New York University as the 13th best university in the world at which to study mathematics. NYU offers an M.S. in Scientific Computing. Most students who graduate from this degree program go on to pursue doctoral work. However, many find employment at technologically advanced institutions in research and development. Before graduation, students complete a master’s project.
#2. Harvard University
Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Annual Graduate Tuition: $49,448
Total Points: 14
Harvard University offers an M.S. in Computational Science and Engineering. Earning the degree requires a student to complete eight courses, which most students are able to do in just one academic year. Students who choose to may also extend their studies by one summer to participate in an internship program.
#1. Stanford University
Master of Science in Computational & Mathematical Engineering
Stanford, California
Annual Graduate Tuition: $54,315
Total Points: 15
Stanford University is currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 3rd best university in the world at which to study mathematics. Stanford offers an M.S. in Computational Mathematical Engineering, which students may choose to complete on-campus, or as a hybrid between on-campus and online. Earning the degree requires completing 45 units of coursework, which must be done in five years or less.
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