Imagine yourself as a data scientist, leveraging numbers to uncover valuable insights and drive innovation. Alternatively, you might find yourself thriving as an actuary, providing crucial financial guidance and minimizing risks for businesses. The field of cryptography offers an intriguing path where you can contribute to digital security and protect sensitive information. If you have a passion for teaching, academia welcomes mathematicians to inspire and educate future generations. With a mathematics degree, you’ll find endless opportunities across industries like finance, technology, healthcare, and engineering. So, embrace the power of numbers and unlock a world of possibilities in a career that nurtures your intellectual curiosity.
The Formula for Your Future
Internships give students practical experience in areas such as data science, machine learning, actuarial science, mathematical finance, and more. Our students have interned at John Deere, Collins Aerospace, Nationwide, Principal Financial, Raytheon, and other companies. These hands‑on experiences help students build confidence, explore potential career paths, and make professional connections that can lead to full‑time opportunities after graduation.
Some of our recent mathematics alumni began their careers with employers such as Ameriprise Financial, Chevron (Renewable Energy Group), Collins Aerospace, IBM, John Deere, Wellmark, and Workiva.
In 2024, mathematics bachelor’s graduates reported an average starting salary of $66,376, reinforcing the strong market demand for analytical and quantitative skills.
Projected job openings and salaries show promising outlooks in areas like data science, actuarial science, financial analysis, operations research, and teaching. These fields offer strong long‑term growth and competitive pay, both in Iowa and across the United States.
To help mathematics students tailor their studies to emerging career paths, the university also offers certificates and minors to add additional focus to the major, deepen applied skills, and help students stand out as they prepare for the next step in their careers. These include:
Actuarial Science
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Cybersecurity
Quantitative Finance
Risk Management and Insurance
Career Planning and Preparation
Looking for help in putting together the perfect resume or cover letter? Or maybe you are looking for an internship or even some mock interviews for an upcoming job? LAS Career Services can help you with all of these and more. Among the resources provided by LAS Career Services are aids to write resumes, cover letters, and references, including Big interview’s ResumeAI for AI-generated feedback on formatting and content.
For those planning to teach as you pursue a double major in mathematics and secondary education, you may take advantage of assistance offered by LAS Career Services and the College of Health and Human Sciences Career Services, including a teacher education career fair.
