Mathematics Ranking by US News - Princeton ranked 1st

The U.S. News & World Report rankings of mathematics programs in 2009 offered a detailed view of the top institutions in the United States for the study of mathematics, based on various academic criteria such as faculty quality, research activity, student outcomes, and institutional reputation. Among the leading universities, several stood out for their academic rigor, long history of mathematical innovation, and highly competitive graduate programs. The ranking of Princeton University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of California–Berkeley, and the University of Chicago serves as a reflection of the excellence in the mathematics field within the United States.

Princeton University

Princeton University, ranked number one in the U.S. News 2009 rankings, has long been a global leader in mathematical research and education. Situated in Princeton, New Jersey, the university's mathematics department is recognized for its deep commitment to both pure and applied mathematics. Princeton boasts an impressive roster of distinguished faculty members, including multiple Fields Medalists and Abel Prize winners, who contribute to the university's exceptional reputation in the field.

One of the defining features of Princeton’s mathematics department is its rigorous academic structure. Princeton’s graduate program in mathematics offers a blend of traditional theory-based learning with opportunities for collaborative research in cutting-edge areas such as algebraic geometry, number theory, mathematical physics, and topology. The university’s focus on fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for students is reflected in its low faculty-to-student ratio, allowing students to work closely with world-class professors on groundbreaking mathematical research. Princeton’s commitment to mathematical excellence is further bolstered by its substantial financial resources, which support an extensive array of research initiatives, conferences, and colloquia that attract mathematicians from around the world.

Harvard University

Harvard University, tied for second place in the U.S. News rankings, is another institution that holds a prominent position within the global mathematics community. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard’s mathematics department is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world. The department’s faculty includes several renowned mathematicians who have made fundamental contributions to fields like analysis, geometry, logic, and number theory.

Harvard’s mathematics program is characterized by its breadth and depth, offering graduate students the opportunity to specialize in a wide range of topics, including pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and mathematical physics. The university emphasizes a balance between rigorous theoretical coursework and hands-on experience with modern mathematical tools and techniques. Harvard's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is reflected in the variety of joint programs with departments such as physics, economics, and computer science. These interdisciplinary opportunities provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how mathematical theories and methods can be applied to solve real-world problems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Also ranked second in the U.S. News 2009 rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stands as one of the most respected and innovative institutions in the world for the study of mathematics. MIT's Department of Mathematics is known for its focus on applied mathematics, computational mathematics, and the use of mathematics in solving complex scientific and technological problems. MIT has a long tradition of pushing the boundaries of mathematical knowledge, and its faculty includes some of the world’s leading experts in areas like differential geometry, combinatorics, cryptography, and mathematical modeling.

MIT is particularly renowned for its emphasis on the application of mathematics to engineering, computer science, and other applied fields. The university's unique integration of mathematics with engineering and technology has made it a hub for students interested in mathematical modeling, optimization, and data analysis. MIT’s graduate program offers a dynamic environment for research, where students work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge projects that have real-world implications, such as those related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and climate modeling.

Stanford University

Stanford University, also ranked second in the 2009 U.S. News rankings, is situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing its mathematics department with unparalleled opportunities for collaboration with leading tech companies and startups. Stanford’s Department of Mathematics is recognized for its strong focus on both pure and applied mathematics, with particular emphasis on areas such as algebraic geometry, topology, and mathematical logic. The university’s faculty is highly distinguished, with several members who are leaders in their respective fields.

Stanford offers a graduate program that encourages both theoretical exploration and practical application. One of the standout features of Stanford’s mathematics program is its interdisciplinary approach. The university fosters collaboration between mathematics and other departments, including computer science, engineering, economics, and physics. This interdisciplinary environment not only allows students to engage in a diverse range of mathematical topics but also prepares them for careers in academia, industry, and government. Given its location, Stanford’s program also attracts students who are keen to apply their mathematical skills to fields like data science, finance, and artificial intelligence.

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), ranked fifth in the U.S. News rankings, is another powerhouse in the world of mathematics. Berkeley's Department of Mathematics is renowned for its high-impact research in a variety of mathematical fields, including number theory, geometry, topology, and mathematical physics. Berkeley’s faculty has produced several Fields Medalists and other prestigious award recipients, cementing its status as a leader in the global mathematics community.

UC Berkeley offers a comprehensive graduate program that emphasizes research excellence and offers students opportunities to work with some of the leading figures in the field. The department’s collaborative environment encourages students to engage with both their peers and faculty members to explore a wide range of mathematical topics. Berkeley’s mathematics department is particularly known for its research contributions to both pure and applied mathematics, with particular attention given to problems that arise in other fields such as physics, economics, and computer science. Berkeley's location in the San Francisco Bay Area also provides students with unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations and connections with industry professionals.

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago, ranked sixth in the U.S. News rankings, is widely regarded as one of the top institutions for mathematics in the United States. Chicago’s Department of Mathematics is known for its rigorous academic program and its focus on the development of both theoretical and applied mathematics. The department is recognized for its strengths in areas such as algebraic geometry, analysis, and mathematical logic.

Chicago’s graduate program provides students with a strong foundation in both pure and applied mathematics, offering numerous opportunities for collaboration with faculty members on research projects that span a variety of mathematical disciplines. The university's emphasis on intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary learning has contributed to its reputation as a place where students can explore innovative mathematical ideas and techniques. The University of Chicago also has a rich history of mathematical achievement, having been home to several Nobel Prize winners and Fields Medalists who have shaped the course of mathematical research.

1 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
2 Harvard University Cambridge, MA
2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
2 Stanford University Stanford, CA
2 U of California–Berkeley Berkeley, CA
6 U of Chicago Chicago, IL
7 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA
7 Yale University New Haven, CT
9 Columbia University New York, NY
9 New York University New York, NY Distance
9 U of Michigan–Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
12 U of California–Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
13 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
14 Brown University Providence, RI
14 U of Texas–Austin Austin, TX
14 U of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, WI
17 U of Minnesota–Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
18 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
18 U of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL
18 U of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
21 Duke University Durham, NC
21 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
21 University of Maryland–College Park College Park, MD
24 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick Piscataway, NJ
24 SUNY–Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY
24 U of California–San Diego La Jolla, CA
24 U of Washington Seattle, WA
28 Indiana University–Bloomington Bloomington, IN
28 Pennsylvania State University–University Park University Park, PA
28 Purdue University–West Lafayette West Lafayette, IN
28 Rice University Houston, TX
28 U of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
33 Carnegie Mellon Uni Pittsburgh, PA
33 Ohio State Uni Columbus, OH
33 U of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
36 CUNY Graduate School and Uni Center New York, NY
36 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA
36 U of California–Davis Davis, CA
36 U of Illinois–Chicago Chicago, IL
40 Brandeis Univ Waltham, MA
40 U of Arizona Tucson, AZ
40 U of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
40 Washington Univ in St. Louis St. Louis, MO
44 Michigan State Univ East Lansing, MI
44 Texas A&M Univ–College Station College Station, TX
44 U of California–Irvine Irvine, CA
44 U of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
48 Boston Univ Boston, MA
48 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
48 North Carolina State Univ Raleigh, NC
48 U of California–Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
48 U of Colorado–Boulder Boulder, CO
48 Vanderbilt Univ Nashville, TN
48 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
55 U of Georgia Athens, GA
55 U of Iowa Iowa City, IA
55 U of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
58 Northeastern Uni Boston, MA
58 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
58 U of Florida Gainesville, FL
58 U of Missouri–Columbia Columbia, MO
58 U of Oregon Eugene, OR
58 U of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
64 Arizona State Uni Tempe, AZ
64 Claremont Graduate Uni Claremont, CA
64 Iowa State Uni Ames, IA
64 Louisiana State Uni–Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA
64 U of Kansas Lawrence, KS
64 U of Massachusetts–Amherst Amherst, MA
70 Florida State Uni Tallahassee, FL
70 U of California–Riverside Riverside, CA
70 U of Delaware Newark, DE
70 U of Rochester Rochester, NY
70 U of Tennessee–Knoxville Knoxville, TN

Source: US News and World Report 2009