by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mathematics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Murray State University earned the #1 spot for value among mathematics schools in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Morehead State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,218 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $24,257 early in their careers. Set against $24,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $39,211. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Louisville one of the best values for mathematics. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College came in at #6 for value in mathematics this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,820. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $26,560. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
