Do You Need A Calculator For College? (6 Q&As For Students!)

This is the most organized and comprehensive guide for choosing a calculator as you move on to study in college. 

In this new guide, you’ll learn everything about a calculator ranging from whether you need a calculator in college, to the best calculators to use as a college student.

(Including lots of answered questions that have not been shared anywhere before.)

Let’s dive right in:

1. Do You Need A Calculator For College? 

Except you’re going for STEM subjects in college like engineering or finance, handling equations, or producing graphs you do not necessarily need a calculator for college. 

2. What Kind of Calculator Do You Need For College? 

There is no specific kind of calculator for college as different students have different needs. 

However, a simple scientific calculator like the Casio FX-991 MS, or a TI-84 calculator is plenty enough to carry out all arithmetic tasks for your college studies.

3. What Calculator Do You Need For College Algebra? 

The Casio FX-991 EX is a fast, non-programmable scientific calculator capable of carrying out algebraic equations like quadratic equations, cubic equations, logarithms, transformations, etc., and is accepted by most college professors for use in algebra classes. 

4. What Calculator Do You Need For College Calculus? 

While the calculator to use may vary according to your lecturer, most college professors insist on the use of the all-purpose graphing calculator, TI-84 plus while taking calculus in college.

The T1-84 Plus calculator is conveniently available on Amazon here.

5. What Calculator Do You Need For Statistics in College? 

The Casio FX-115 ES Plus calculator is the best non-graphic calculator for statistics in college.

It offers a natural textbook display technology that is designed to make students offering a wide range of mathematical topics in college, including statistics to understand each statistical analysis easily. 

It is also one of the best scientific calculators, and most used by college students who are offering statistics or its related subject in college.

6. What Are Some Best Calculators For college Students? 

The best overall calculators for college students include:

1. TI-84 plus

Best all-purpose graphing calculator

While the calculator to use may vary according to your lecturer, most college professors insist on the use of the all-purpose graphing calculator, TI-84 plus. 

Features:

  • Graphing technology present
  • 8 line display
  • 16 total characters present
  • Contains USB on-the-go technology 

Pros:

  • Long battery life
  • Has USB port for transferring calculations to another calculator or PC
  • Has features that are expandable with certain software
  • Good user interface 

Cons:

  • Price is on the high side
  • Speed is low compared to the price
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2. Casio FX-991 EX

Fastest non-programmable calculator 

The Casio FX-991 EX is a fast, non-programmable scientific calculator capable of carrying out algebraic equations like quadratic equations, cubic equations, logarithms, transformations, etc., and is accepted by most college professors for use. 

Features:

  • Solar and battery energy supply 
  • 552 functions present 
  • 2 line display 
  • 16 total characters 

Pros:

  • Better display 
  • Faster operation than most scientific calculators
  • Easy-to-use menu interface 

Cons:

  • No power-of-memory protection
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3. Casio FX-115 ES Plus

Best non-graphics calculator for statistics in college

The Casio FX-115 ES Plus is a natural textbook display technology calculator that is designed to be the best choice for students offering a wide range of mathematical topics in college, including statistics. 

Features:

  • Over 280 functions present
  • Offers natural display function
  • 40 metric conversions 
  • Solar and Battery energy supply
  • 2-line display 
  • 16 total characters

Pros:

  • Has statistics and distribution mode for all kinds of statistical analysis 
  • Offers a good number of functions 

Cons:

  • Buttons are too flimsy 
  • Loss of calculation history after powering off
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4. Casio FX-300 MS

Best overall budget scientific calculator for college 

The Casio FX-300 MS is an inexpensive scientific calculator that features a 2 line display and supports complex number calculations, algebra, calculus, and 18 other parentheses. 

Features:

  • Solar and battery energy supply 
  • 240 functions present
  • 2 line display
  • 229 built-in formulas
  • Multi-replay function 
  • 9 variable memories 

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight 
  • Decent button layout
  • Inexpensive 
  • Reliable for college use

Cons:

  • Flimsy feel
  • Has a limited number of digits
  • Off and on buttons too far apart
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5. TI 36-X Pro

Best overall calculator for college 

TI 36-X Pro is an advanced 4-line scientific calculator that is ideal for Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Statistics, Biology, etc. subjects in college. 

Features:

  • Multiview display area
  • 4-line display 
  • Solar and battery energy supply 
  • 16 total characters
  • Non-programmable 
  • Up to 23 levels of parentheses 

Pros:

  • Large, easy-to-read keys
  • Lightweight
  • Mathprint feature that displays calculations as seen in textbooks

Cons:

  • Lacks full complex number support
  • Requires more keystrokes to perform a function than a similar Casio calculator
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