by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Topology & Foundations covers Topology And Foundations. A Program That Focuses On The Properties Of Unaltered Geometric Configurations Under Conditions Of Continuous, Multi-Directional Transformations. Includes Instruction In Mathematical Logic, Proof Theory, Model Theory, Set Theory, Combinatorics, Continua, Homotopy, Homology, Links, And Transformation Actions. Read on to learn the essential details every topology & foundations major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering topology & foundations programs.
In the U.S., topology & foundations is a popular field of study, with 2 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Topology & Foundations Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for topology & foundations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of topology & foundations programs later in this article.
Coursework for Topology & Foundations build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations topology & foundations graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a topology & foundations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a topology & foundations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several topology & foundations degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to topology & foundations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 44.6% |
| Master’s degree | 16.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in topology & foundations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in topology & foundations opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to topology & foundations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to topology & foundations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Mathematicians | 109,873 | 8.5% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 96,977 | 14.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of topology & foundations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,386 |
| 4 years | $65,097 |
| 5 years | $75,512 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for topology & foundations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers topology & foundations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Mathematicians | $66,238 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $40,564 |
With 1 different topology & foundations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased topology & foundations school rankings to help you.
Students interested in topology & foundations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mathematics, General | 25,163 |
| Mathematics, Other | 352 |
| Algebra and Number Theory | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
