by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose mathematics graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid mathematics graduates in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career mathematics graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $146,679 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place for mathematics. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. After graduating, mathematics degree recipients from Northwestern University typically earn about $119,511 annually.
Northeastern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Mathematics graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $75,220 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Depaul University earned it the #4 place for mathematics. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,944.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the highest-paying schools for mathematics. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Students who complete the mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,840.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for mathematics. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career mathematics graduates from University Of Illinois At Chicago make a median of around $58,774 per year.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #7 position for mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of about $57,809 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University landed the #8 spot for mathematics salaries this year. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students who complete the mathematics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,120.
Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Mathematics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $73,553 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for mathematics graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Mathematics graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $53,926 a year early in their careers.
Mckendree University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for mathematics. Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Early-career mathematics graduates from Mckendree University make a median of around $51,157 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries mathematics graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.