STEM Specialization

Statistics

Statistics graduates earn $92,425 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Statistics

Statistics is a focused area of study within Mathematics. Graduates typically earn around $92,425 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 281 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 9,944 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$60,216
Median Earnings · 4yr
$92,425
Colleges Offering
281
Graduates / Year
9,944
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,209

How Much Do Statistics Graduates Earn?

Statistics graduates earn $92,425 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,564 and $125,467. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $60,216 climbs to $92,425 by year four.

$60,216
1 Year After Graduation

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

$92,425
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$87,334
4-Year Institutional Median

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


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Statistics graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $92,425 against an estimated $76,836 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 217 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 9,944 students who complete Statistics programs each year, the majority (55%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 55%
Master's 38%
Doctorate 6%

What Can You Do With a Statistics Degree?

Statistics connects to 6 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +3.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$167,220
$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,500 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.
↗ +21.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$130,000
$98K $171K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 2,400 openings/yr 27K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Mathematics Reading Comprehension Systems Evaluation
Day-to-day responsibilities

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

  • Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
  • Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
  • Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
↗ +33.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$120,230
$86K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 23,400 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.
↗ +8.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$105,650
$82K $141K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 2,000 openings/yr 29K employed nationally
Mathematics Mathematics Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

  • Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
  • Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
  • Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
↗ +2.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$79,940
$62K $105K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 4,400 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.
↘ -5.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$69,460
$51K $100K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 700 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 Statistics

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Statistics students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 556 4% $21,590 $102,491
2 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public 443 42.4% $14,355 $81,054
3 University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public 379 33% $16,109 $74,915
4 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 327 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
5 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 282 9% $12,548 $82,511
6 University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public 266 41.8% $14,741 $80,838
7 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public 265 49.9% $14,600 $72,424
8 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit 234 11.7% $31,944 $114,862
9 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public 192 45.2% $17,354 $73,792
10 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public 192 15.6% $13,138 $83,648
11 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public 175 11% $13,481 $92,446
12 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public 168 41.7% $17,303 $68,758
13 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 148 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
14 Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit 147 67.8% $15,564 $75,790
15 Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit 146 5.7% $29,612 $97,800
16 University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public 144 72.2% $15,649 $57,010
17 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit 141 6.4% $18,809 $87,555
18 Emory University Atlanta, GA · Nonprofit 137 10.7% $22,585 $80,137
19 University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA · Public 127 16.8% $21,565 $86,863
20 University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 121 4.5% $14,860 $91,885

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

Statistics Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make 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 $92,425 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $60,216 at graduation to $92,425 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +33.5% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 41,400 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.

Statistics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Statistics graduates earn?
Statistics graduates earn a national median of $92,425 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,564 and $125,467. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Statistics degree?
One year after graduation, Statistics degree holders earn a median of $60,216. That climbs to $92,425 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Statistics degree?
Statistics degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Statistics program take?
A Statistics bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Statistics?
281 colleges and universities in the United States offer Statistics programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Statistics degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $92,425 and an average net price of roughly $19,209/yr, a Statistics degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Statistics and Mathematics?
Statistics is a focused concentration within the broader Mathematics field. The Mathematics major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Statistics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Statistics graduates?
Employers hiring Statistics graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Statistics graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree 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. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Statistics graduates?
The job outlook for Statistics graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +10.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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