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Mathematics and Statistics

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Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics graduates earn $88,839 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 34.6%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

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About Mathematics and Statistics

This page covers Mathematics and 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 Mathematics and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Mathematics and Statistics is a focused area of study within Mathematics. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $88,839 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 49 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 671 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $59,063
Median Earnings · 4yr: $88,839
Colleges Offering: 49
Graduates / Year: 671
Avg Net Price / yr: $26,609

How Much Do Mathematics and Statistics Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Mathematics and Statistics, a typical graduate earns $88,839, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $63,883 and $125,218, 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 $59,063 at one year out to $88,839 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.

$59,063

1 Year After Graduation

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

$88,839

4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$87,419

4-Year Institutional Median

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

Earnings Range

Not every Mathematics and Statistics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.

$63,883 25th pct.

$88,839 Median

$125,218 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $88,839 against an estimated $106,436 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 39 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 671 students who complete Mathematics and Statistics programs each year, the majority (85%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

85%

Bachelor's 85%

Master's 8%

Doctorate 4%

What Can You Do With a Mathematics and Statistics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Mathematics and Statistics graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/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 Natural Sciences Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

↗ +34.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Data Scientist

$120,230

$86K $159K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 24,800 openings/yr 262K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Mathematical Science Teachers

$79,940

$62K $105K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 3,900 openings/yr 48K employed nationally

Mathematics Speaking Active Listening Instructing Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.

Top Colleges for Mathematics and Statistics

Not sure where to study Mathematics and 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 New York University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	166	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
2	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit	160	11.3%	$26,780	$99,980
3	Fordham University Bronx, NY · Nonprofit	44	59.3%	$44,338	$85,569
4	Emory University Atlanta, GA · Nonprofit	39	10.7%	$22,585	$80,137
5	Barnard College New York, NY · Nonprofit	27	8.8%	$28,800	$80,516
6	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	24	11.7%	$31,944	$114,862
7	Webster University Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit	20	86.2%	$27,047	$50,876
8	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC · Public	19	79.6%	$15,435	$57,289
9	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public	16	58.1%	$30,434	$66,125
10	American University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	10	62%	$41,943	$77,370
11	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA · Nonprofit	9	60.2%	$43,071	$103,470
12	Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	8	62%	$29,954	$52,410
13	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, NJ · Public	7	66.3%	$18,745	$74,479
14	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY · Public	6	77.6%	$11,040	$45,795
15	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA · Nonprofit	6	86.5%	$30,378	$78,812
16	Montana Technological University Butte, MT · Public	6	91.1%	$16,481	$54,329
17	Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	5	84.3%	$10,970	$58,656
18	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit	4	76%	$25,292	$59,354
19	Carroll College Helena, MT · Nonprofit	4	70.9%	$23,960	$61,772
20	Georgia State University Atlanta, GA · Public	3	55.4%	$15,931	$47,384

View all colleges

Ranked by Mathematics and 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 Mathematics and Statistics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Mathematics and Statistics degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Mathematics and Statistics Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Mathematics and 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 $88,839 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $59,063 at graduation to $88,839 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +34.6% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 37,900 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.
Limited program availability Only 49 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Mathematics and Statistics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mathematics and Statistics graduates earn?

$88,839 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $63,883 and $125,218, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Mathematics and Statistics degree?

$59,063 in the first year out. That grows to $88,839 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 Mathematics and Statistics degree?

Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 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 Mathematics and Statistics program take?

Four years of full-time study for a Mathematics and 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 Mathematics and Statistics?

49 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 Mathematics and Statistics degree worth it?

$88,839 median earnings four years out against $26,609 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 Mathematics and Statistics and Mathematics?

Mathematics and Statistics is the narrower of the two: Mathematics covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Mathematics and 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 Mathematics and Statistics graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mathematics and Statistics graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Mathematics and Statistics graduates?

Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. 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 Mathematics and Statistics graduates?

Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +14.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +34.6%. 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.