BUSINESS Specialization

Business Statistics

Business Statistics graduates earn $77,981 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 10.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Management Analyst is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Business Statistics

This page covers Business Statistics as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Business and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Business Statistics is a focused area of study within Business. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $77,981 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 258 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 4,885 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$53,269
Median Earnings · 4yr
$77,981
Colleges Offering
258
Graduates / Year
4,885
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,514

How Much Do Business Statistics Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Business Statistics, a typical graduate earns $77,981, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $55,058 and $106,683, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $53,269 at one year out to $77,981 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$53,269
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$77,981
4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$78,906
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Business Statistics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $77,981 against an estimated $86,056 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 266 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 4,885 students who complete Business Statistics programs each year, the majority (96%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 96%
Associate's 1%
Certificate 1%

What Can You Do With a Business Statistics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Business Statistics graduates show up in 5 different occupations, and Economist pays the most at $124,720/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what an Economist earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +4.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$124,720
$89K $175K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 1,100 openings/yr 18K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Mathematics Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

  • Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
  • Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
  • Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
↗ +2.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$123,920
$87K $169K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,000 openings/yr 12K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Writing Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as econometrics, price theory, and macroeconomics.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
↗ +7.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$117,330
$84K $158K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,800 openings/yr 64K employed nationally
Day-to-day responsibilities

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

↗ +10.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$101,860
$78K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 94,100 openings/yr 898K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

  • Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
  • Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
  • Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
↘ -4.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$69,460
$51K $100K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 600 openings/yr 8K employed nationally
Writing Speaking Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

  • Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
  • Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
  • Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.

Top Colleges for Business Statistics

Not sure where to study Business Statistics? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of California-Irvine, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public 576 28.6% $14,251 $80,735
2 University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA · Public 280 65.8% $17,890 $68,396
3 University of Georgia Athens, GA · Public 178 37.7% $13,936 $68,726
4 SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY · Public 149 69.6% $19,158 $60,386
5 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public 108 41.7% $17,303 $68,758
6 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public 104 60.6% $17,339 $60,409
7 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA · Public 92 78.4% $23,331 $61,258
8 State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NY · Public 89 59.8% $22,345 $60,236
9 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public 87 98.3% $19,841 $55,070
10 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY · Public 76 92.9% $18,851 $59,025
11 Wheaton College Wheaton, IL · Nonprofit 74 87.4% $26,975 $63,756
12 Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit 72 51.3% $41,104 $65,793
13 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY · Public 67 47.5% $3,033 $75,971
14 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 64 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
15 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC · Public 64 60.2% $22,811 $62,177
16 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA · Public 63 55.4% $15,931 $47,384
17 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA · Nonprofit 60 77.1% $29,053 $64,778
18 Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO · Nonprofit 58 12.1% $21,786 $86,182
19 Chapman University Orange, CA · Nonprofit 58 65.4% $46,555 $70,070
20 Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH · Public 56 75.4% $28,384 $55,076

Ranked by Business Statistics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Business Statistics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Business Statistics Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Business Statistics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $77,981 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $53,269 at graduation to $77,981 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +10.1% over the next decade, with Management Analyst among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 101,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Business Statistics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Business Statistics graduates earn?
$77,981 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $55,058 and $106,683, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Business Statistics degree?
$53,269 in the first year out. That grows to $77,981 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Business Statistics degree?
Economist is one path, and it pays a median of $124,720 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Business Statistics program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Business Statistics bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Business Statistics?
258 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Business Statistics degree worth it?
$77,981 median earnings four years out against $21,514 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Business Statistics and Business?
Business Statistics is the narrower of the two: Business covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Business Statistics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Business Statistics graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Business Statistics graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Business Statistics graduates?
It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Business Statistics graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.0% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Management Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +10.1%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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