Accredited Online Math & Science Degrees

There are many different outcomes and career paths that you can take with an education in math. While much will depend on the specific science or type of math you are studying (biology vs statistics, for example) let’s take a look at some of the career fields you can take after studying math and science.

From a mathematical standpoint alone, there are numerous options. For example, you could become an actuary, a career field that uses math and statistics to analyze and estimate the cost of risk. These professionals are often employed by the insurance industry, but they are also employed by other businesses. You could become a statistician, using math and data to provide solutions for businesses and organizations, or you could become a financial analyst, whose job it is to develop investment strategies by analyzing risk and reward. Of course, you could also become a mathematician, using basic mathematical principles to research, advance, and prove mathematical theories. 

One of the main advantages of this specialization is career stability. Of course, every specific career will vary, but overall math and science majors are in high demand. The overall expected career growth for all fields is 7%, but here is the expected growth (2016 to 2026) for some math and science careers: 

• Actuary: 22%
• Financial Analyst: 11%
• Personal Financial Advisor: 15%
• Biochemist: 11%
• Veterinarians: 19%
   

Clearly there are some tremendous opportunities in math and science!

To give you a better idea of the career fields you can enter with a degree in math and science, let’s look at two specific careers that you might enter…
 

• Mathematician & Statistician—As a mathematician or statistician, you will be responsible for developing mathematical rules, concepts, and theories that generally involve algebra and geometry, as well as other career fields. You will apply mathematical theories to real-world problems, interpret data, and report conclusions. This career field brings outstanding pay. With a median salary of $84,670, it’s already a lucrative career field. However, if you work your way into the top 10%, you can expect to make over $161,000 a year. With an expected career growth of 33%, it’s also an area that will have plenty of opportunities for people who have completed the right education.
   
• Natural Sciences Manager—Essentially, these professionals are responsible for overseeing the work of other scientists. They will direct activities of research and scientific development, and will work in areas such as chemistry, physics, and biology, among many others. Despite only needing a bachelor’s degree, the pay for this career field is outstanding. It brings a median salary of $118,970, and the top 10% earn more than $208,000. With an expected growth of 10%, it’s also a steady, reliable career field. 
   

So are you the right type of person for a career in science or mathematics? If you are good with numbers, analytical, curious, and patient, then this could be the right area for you. These careers, however, are not just for number-minded people. In fact, you have to have a fair amount of creativity and innovative thinking to excel in these careers, as they often need out-of-the-box thinkers to develop new practices, theories, and applications. 

Everyone has different needs from their education, so the first step is to identify what you want from your degree. Before making a decision, be sure to research whether or not the degree program is available completely online or not. If it is not offered completely online, it could disrupt your busy schedule, so don’t overlook this factor. 

You’ll also need to look at the basic requirements to see that you are eligible for registration in the course. You may, for example, need to complete prerequisite education before you can take certain math and science programs. 

Finally, be sure to verify the total cost of the program. Cost is not everything in education, but it should not be ignored when you are enrolling in a science or math degree.